NFC East rivals clash tonight on Monday Night Football. The resurging New York Giants visit the Dallas Cowboys, a team in desperate need of a win. Dallas is 1-4 this season, with all four of its losses coming by seven points or fewer. It's just the 6th time in their illustrious history that the Cowboys have started 1-4 or worse. Cowboys QB Tony Romo has thrown for 1,566 yards and 10 TDs this season.
He'll face an improved Giants defense tonight. Osi Umenyiora has really benefitted from new defensive coordinator Perry Fewell's schemes; he has 8 sacks and 7 forced fumbles through 6 games this season.
Giants Defense NFL Ranks Last 2 Seasons
Category...........2009..................2010
Sacks..............T-18th..................T-2nd
Yds PG............T-13th...................2nd
Yds per play.....20th......................1st
Pass yds PG.......15th.....................2nd
Facts To Impress Your Friends
* The Giants swept the two-game season series against the Cowboys last year
* Eli Manning is 6-5 in regular-season starts vs. Dallas
* Osi Umenyiora has never sacked Tony Romo in six regular-season meetings
* DeMarcus Ware has eight sacks of Eli Manning in 10 previous games
The Los Angeles Kings invade Minnesota tonight to face the Wild. Jonathan Quick will likely start in net for the Kings, and has a 5-2-0 lifetime record against the Wild. Part of the Kings' early-season success can be attributed to their play in the third period. The Kings have outscored their opponent 11-5 in the third period; that's the largest positive goal differential in the NHL in that period. They are the only team in the league that has been outscored in each of the first two periods (6-5 in each) but has scored more goals than they have surrendered in the final session. Meanwhile, Minnesota's power play is off to a dazzling start. Currently, they are converting their power plays at a 38.7 percent clip, the highest for the month of October in recent memory. Minnesota center Matt Cullen leads the team in goals (3) and assists (6).
Highest Power-Play Percentage in October, Since 1987-88 Season
Wild...........2010-11..........38.7
Penguins....1995-96.........38.5
Penguins....1992-93.........35.5
Sharks........2010-11.........33.3
