There’s no win and you’re in scenario, but neither the Dallas Cowboys or New York Giants have been eliminated from playoff contention entering Week 17. With three consecutive wins the 6-9 Cowboys have climbed into a tie for first in the NFC East, while the Giants have done the complete opposite in losing three in a row to fall to 5-10.

If the Cowboys get a dub at the Meadowlands Sunday, 7-9 will be good enough for either them or Washington to win the division and a home playoff game. If New York wins, 6-10 might do.

NFL Week 17 Point Spread and Betting Analysis

The first meeting between these interdivisional clubs was a 37-34 shootout in the Cowboys favour. This was back in Week 4 when Dallas had Dak Prescott, so don’t expect another 71 points to follow in their second head-to-head. Oddsmakers are well aware of this, setting this game’s total at 44.5. Rain and high winds are also in the forecast at MetLife Stadium Sunday.

Dallas is getting three points on the road, as they have momentum on their side. Since Andy Dalton returned to the lineup, the Cowboys are 4-2 and have won two of their last three away games. And when it comes to the Giants, Dallas has won seven straight over them as well as six of their last eight at New York.

Dallas Cowboys

Last week’s 20-point win over Philadelphia was arguably Dallas’ best win this season. The underdog Cowboys were up against Jalen Hurts’ offence, and held it to 17 points. Dallas did commit their first turnover of their winning streak, but took the ball away three times Sunday to improve their turnover differential to +9 over those three wins.

And 513 yards of offence in Week 16 was easily the highest number in a game for Dallas since Prescott went down, with a trio of players hitting the century mark in yards: Ezekiel Elliott (139), Michael Gallup (121), and Amari Cooper (121). Dalton had a season-high 377 yards too.

Don’t count the Cowboys out just yet.

New York Giants

Daniel Jones’ return under centre didn’t go well for the G-Men, who only managed 13 points in a loss at Baltimore last week. New York is averaging 12.4 points over their last five games, haven’t scored 20 points since Week 10. Still, the G-Men have managed to go 2-3 in their past five.

Good thing they deploy an above-average defence, one led by Pro Bowl cornerback James Bradberry. In fact, Week 4 at Dallas was the last time New York allowed over 30 points in a game. They sit 10th in the NFL with 22.5 points against.

The defence can stand its ground, so it comes down to Jones’ unit in a must-win game.

NFL Prediction: Who Will Win Cowboys vs. Giants?