ICYMI in NFL’s Week 7: Hardy makes Dez seem level-headed

QUESTIONABLE: TE James Hanna (ankle).

Receiver Brice Butler will be available for Dallas after missing a loss to New England with a strained hamstring. PROBABLE: DE Robert Ayers Jr.

The Cowboys have twin problems on offence: the absence of veteran quarterback Tony Romo and star wide receiver Dez Bryant. The Cowboys are entering this Sunday’s game posting a record of 2-3, putting them in third place in their division. With so many new faces in the defensive backfield this season, New York fans have to be hopeful that this units will grow more comfortable with each other’s strengths and weaknesses as the season goes on, hopefully translating on the field.

Adrian Peterson rushed for 98 yards as the Vikings won an NFC North game on the road for the first time in three years. The Cowboys, who hope to get Romo back by November. 22, are a half-game back, and a half in front of Washington (2-4). He told it just before the quarterback threw a 25-yard touchdown pass to Devin Street that tied the game at 20. John Machota from the Dallas Morning News captured this video.

The win came six days after the New York Giants’ sloppiest performance of the season.

Not knowing exactly what Cassel might give a hit-and-miss Dallas offense in his first start, we have to assume a greater burden than usual falls on the Cowboys defense. “It was kind of tough seeing the ball as well, so at that point in time, all I had was one arm to use”, Randle said. I don’t think this is what he had in mind, though. He left here with us knowing he was an outstanding special teams player, and we knew all of the recognition he had in special teams. Tonight it was blocked ideal. And we needed it in the worst way. From a stats point, it wasn’t pretty, but we got the win.

If either of these teams wants back in the race, the mistakes have to stop. If they give Manning and the Giants offence a short field, it might be a long day for the Cowboys. Rodgers-Cromartie also had two picks in a game three previous times, in 2008, 2009 and 2012….

– And finally from Dallas fan Sith Lord: “Bragging about beating my injury riddled Cowboys is like bragging that you snuck a punch on Fetty Wap from the left side”. Today’s huge game is one of two late afternoon starts in the National Football League, and these two teams will renew their rivalry in a game packed with postseason implications.

And what about the fact that it was the game-winner for the Giants?

The Giants came out on top on Sunday but given the unpredictable nature of this team and their season to date, the future remains far from certain. Cassel started efficiently, but fell apart in the fourth quarter when the game was on the line.

Harris has emerged as a steady target for quarterback Eli Manning in the slot with Victor Cruz still out (15 catches for 184 yards, touchdown).

The Eagles don’t need to feel as threatened by the Giants because they already beat them.

“That’s between me and him”, Coughlin said. Well, maybe on the defensive line, things look better and brighter.

In video shown Sunday night by NBC, Hardy could be seen swiping at Bisaccia’s clipboard before the coach put both hands on Hardy’s chest and tried to push him out of the huddle. With the Eagles winning over the Giants, it helps the Cowboys’ cause. For us, we have to have big plays, we have to finish plays and finish games. We have a lot of room to grow.

Information from the Associated Press was used in this report.