About the play: Speed is a great weapon in the NFL. The Cowboys have key veterans at the right positions, and they finally have a wide receiver with great speed who can get open and make big plays. With the unfortunate loss of Michael Irvin, Raghib Ismail will have to step up to even another level to beat a good Giants defense.

This play is an obvious run formation. But, that is exactly why the Cowboys show this formation and then throw deep to Ismail on the post. The play is a play-action fake to Smith, who will show run between the tackle and tight end gap. Ismail will attack the corner like he is going to block, and then use his great speed to get to the post.

This play will be set up by running the football early and often. The Cowboys must have success running the ball to hit this play. The Cowboys killed the Redskins with this play earlier this season. The Cowboys will come back to this because the Giants have a very aggressive defense.

Keys to the play: The key to this play is explosion by Ismail and the Cowboys' ability to run the ball on first-and-10 early in the game. Calling this on third-and-short can also be a huge key. It just takes guts by the Cowboys to call this and take a chance.

Another key is the weakside tight end. He must hold the backside coverage with his corner route so Ismail only has to beat the strongside of the coverage.

Critical player: It is critical that Troy Aikman and Emmit Smith mesh perfectly on the fake so the defense will hesitate slightly and give Ismail the advantage. Aikman must hide the ball, and the offensive linemen must stay low and not raise up. If they play high, the Giants know it is a pass.

When to expect this play: I would look for the Cowboys to run this in short-yardage situations or late in the game after running the ball at the tackle/tight end box early in the game.

Defensive strategy: The best way to def the post is to win on defense on first down. Keep the Cowboys in second- and third-and-long situations and this play will not get called. The Giants have to guard against the big play.