The Cowboys really missed Tony Romo while he was out as Brad Johnson and Brooks Bollinger were both awful.  Romo still has a broken pinkie finger but playing him hurt is better than the alternatives.  Romo has completed 147 of 227 (64.8%) passes for 1,887 yards with 15 TD passes and 7 interceptions (99.9 QB Rating).  He also has carried the ball 13 times for 4 yards (0.3 ypc) but most of those were kneel downs.  If Romo goes down to injury again the Cowboys have no shot of making the playoffs.  Brad Johnson is shot as his career looks over.  He completed 41 of 78 passes (52.6%) for 427 yards with 2 TD passes and 5 interceptions (50.5 QB Rating) while Romo was out.  He’s now the #3 QB as Brooks Bollinger has passed him up on the depth chart.  Bollinger has completed 9 of 16 passes (56.3%) this season for 63 yards with 1 TD pass and 1 interception (60.2 QB Rating).

The 49ers are now playing for pride as they are now 3-7 on the season.  They are looking to build off last week’s victory over the pitiful Rams.  The Cowboys are also trying to get back on the right track as they are 6-4 on the season.  The 49ers will likely get the ball into Frank Gore’s hands as much as possible in both the running and passing game.  The Cowboys allow 105.6 yards rushing per game and 4.2 ypc so the Niners should have some success on the ground.  If the 49ers give Shaun Hill protection (they have allowed 36 sacks) then they can go after the Cowboys’ defense down the field.  Opposing QBs have 13 TD passes and only 4 interceptions against the Cowboys this season.

The Cowboys would probably like to lean on Marion Barber a lot tomorrow against the Niners who are allowing 106.8 yards rushing per game and 3.7 ypc.  That’s because Tony Romo didn’t look too good last week as his finger appears to be still bothering him.  The Niners allow 234.9 yards passing per game this season and Terrell Owens would love to stick it to his old team.

PREDICTION:  DALLAS COWBOYS 20, SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS 16

The Cowboys are reeling right now losing 2 of their last three games while the Giants are rolling again this season with a 6-1 record.  The best chance the Cowboys have to win this game will be by running the ball with Marion Barber and playing good defense.  That will be easier said than done as the Giants are only allowing 86.0 yards rushing per game and 3.8 yards per carry.  The Cowboys will have to rely on the short passing game with Brad Johnson running the show.  He doesn’t appear to have much arm strength left and the Giants will be bringing the heat against him as they have 26 sacks already this season.

The Giants will try to run a balanced offense as they usually do as they average 157.3 yards rushing per game and 221.6 yards passing per game.  The Cowboys’ linebackers could have a tough time in dealing with Brandon Jacobs, Derrick Ward and Ahmad Bradshaw.  The Cowboys also have a lot of injuries in the secondary so they will try to blitz often to attempt to rattle Eli Manning.  If Manning has time he will torch the Cowboys with passes to Plaxico Burress, Amani Toomer and Steve Smith.

PREDICTION:  NEW YORK GIANTS 31, DALLAS COWBOYS 13