Emmitt Smith leads the NFC in rushing with 409 yards.

Cowboys (3-1) at Giants (2-3)
9 p.m. ET, ABC
Line: Cowboys by 3
Preview | Baxter's Bits | War Room Preview
Ron Jaworski's Monday night breakdown Inside the Playbook: Rocket Ismail

Why to watch:
This NFC East rivalry features two teams that are coming off ugly losses. The Cowboys suffered their first defeat of the season in the most unlikely of places, allowing the punchless Eagles to rally for a 13-10 victory last week at the Vet. Moreover, Dallas is dealing with the loss of WR Michael Irvin to a potentially serious neck injury. The Giants are in the midst of a quarterback controversy, and Kerry Collins failed to solve the riddle last week in a 14-3 defeat at Arizona. Kent Graham returns to the starting lineup this week after missing last week with a concussion. New York ranks 26th in the NFL in total offense and is averaging just 14.2 points per contest. Both clubs are hoping for a little redemption in the Monday night spotlight.

Who to watch:
Cowboys CB Deion Sanders has a habit of doing special things on Monday Night Football, and he had one of the all-time great performances by scoring on a punt return and an interception return in an MNF game at Giants Stadium last September. Cowboys WR Ernie Mills will replace Irvin in the lineup, and there will be more pressure on Rocket Ismail as the team's top target. Cowboys RB Emmitt Smith has scored five TDs and run for 409 yards in four games, but he will face a Giants run defense that has allowed only one team to reach the 100-yard mark on the ground this season. Giants WRs Amani Toomer and Ike Hilliard will try to stretch the Dallas defense.

	MORE COVERAGE
	ABC MNF Online MNF Scouting Report

Giants' numbers to know:
New York has converted just 25.7 percent (18-for-70) of its third-down opportunities. That's the second-worst mark in the NFC, ahead of only the Eagles' 22.5 percent.

What it means:
The Cowboys must rebound following their slip-up in Philadelphia. Dallas is tied with Washington for first place in the NFC East and can't afford two consecutive divisional losses. The Giants were embarrassed by the Cowboys on Monday Night Football last season, falling 31-7 as Prime Time put on a prime-time show. New York will try to salvage some pride for this trip into the national spotlight. And with a victory, the Giants would climb back to the .500 mark and serve notice to the Cowboys and 'Skins that they're ready to climb back into the NFC East picture.

Sean Salisbury's breakdown
Cowboys' game plan:
When the Cowboys are winning, this is their modus operandi on offense: run Emmitt Smith to wear the defense down, run some play-action passes, hit the tight end and run the seam post route. Troy Aikman will throw the ball 20-28 times, complete 18-20 for 225 yards and two touchdowns. When Aikman has to throw 40 times, the Cowboys are usually in trouble and out of their game plan.

Ernie Mills, as Michael Irvin's replacement, has to continue what Irvin was doing, catching passes as a possession receiver off the comeback and hitch routes. If he doesn't, the Giants can squeeze Rocket Ismail. The Giants will allow Mills to roam around and make a few plays, but Ismail will have more big-play opportunities if Mills gives him some openings. If he doesn't, the Giants can take away Ismail by rolling coverage his way. Mills should have a chance to have a big day because the Giants will focus on stopping Ismail, controlling the tight end and making sure Smith doesn't run for 100 yards.

The Cowboys defense is playing great. They have improved and have done a good job statistically. Getting Deion Sanders back frees them up to do more things, and they have fast linebackers. They can play the Giants pretty basic on defense and see if the Giants can beat them.

There's nothing the Giants do well on offense right now. I wouldn't gamble and allow Kent Graham to hit a few fade routes for touchdowns. I would play straight-up defense, let Deion take care of his receiver, and bend but don't break. The Cowboys, however, have to guard against Graham getting confidence by sparking the Giants offense with some early scores. The Giants haven't proven they can sustain drives. The Cowboys don't have to do anything special. Just play disciplined defense, stay in their lanes and not give up huge plays. If you allow an average offense to make plays, they start believing in themselves. It can change the momentum of the game.

Giants' game plan:
Offense is where the problems begin for the Giants. The attack has been nonexistent. They don't throw or run well. They don't score, and they put their defense in a bind, which is why they aren't winning a lot of games. Graham, who missed last week's game with a concussion, returns to the lineup, replacing Kerry Collins. Collins wasn't very good last week, but Graham at times has shown some decent ability.

There is a lot wrong with the New York offense. I need to see four or five 60-yard drives from the Giants. They need to establish the run with Gary Brown and allow Graham some opportunities off play-action to get the ball downfield to receivers Ike Hilliard and Amani Toomer.

The Giants are good run-stoppers. It will be a great matchup between New York's front seven, led by Michael Strahan and Jessie Armstead, and the Dallas offensive line. The Giants need to control the line of scrimmage, not allowing Smith any openings to get their running game going. If Smith rushes for 100 yards, the Cowboys rarely lose -- except last week against the Eagles when Smith rushed for 114. But Aikman was forced to throw 39 times and didn't have Irvin as an outlet the whole game.

Giants defensive coordinator John Fox is one of the best in the league at outfoxing opposing offenses. He knows how to use the blitz. Fox will need to implement the blitz to get pressure on Aikman and to close off running lanes for Smith. In the secondary, the Giants can roll their coverage toward Ismail and force Aikman to look elsewhere to throw the ball. And without Irvin, he is lacking reliable targets.

Pivotal Player:
Mills. Ismail has been such a great complementary receiver to Irvin, but now he is the No. 1 receiver with Irvin out. Mills has to continue the possession-route success of Irvin, running hitches and comebacks. Mills needs to get Ismail some openings. If he doesn't, the Giants can squeeze Ismail and take him out of the game as a threat. Mills could have a big day because the Giants will be concentrating on Ismail in the passing game and Smith on the ground.