The Cardinals head to the Meadowlands for the second time in four weeks in position to sweep this NFC East rivalry for the first time since 1979.

Seven weeks ago at Sun Devil Stadium (Week 5), Cardinals QB Jake Plummer threw for 156 yards and a score and ran for another touchdown as Arizona squeezed out a 14-3 triumph.

Despite that earlier loss, Giants have nearly doubled Big Red's wins in the series standings (73-38-2), prevailing in seven of the last nine encounters and 22 of the last 29 meetings dating back to 1985.

As for the Cardinals' last road tilt in this series (Week 7 of '98), since-departed Giants QB Danny Kanell threw for 259 yards and 3 touchdowns and RB Gary Brown added 108 yards rushing as Jim Fassel's team cruised to a 34-7 win.

The Cardinals have lost four straight road tilts in this rivalry dating back to 1995, and are just 1-15 in their last 16 trips to East Rutherford (1-14 vs. Giants, 0-1 vs. Jets) dating back to 1984, their only win over that span coming against the Giants in 1994 (10-9).

Numbers: In their last five meetings with Arizona (4-1) dating back to 1997, the Giants have outgained the Cardinals on the ground a combined 888-244 (239-27, 201-49, 141-62, 200-75, 107-31) in those five contests. Giants running backs -- since-departed Tyrone Wheatley (1), as well as RBs Charles Way (1) and Gary Brown (2) -- have gained at least 100 yards in four of those five contests.

Including playoffs, the Cardinals have forced 38 turnovers in 14 wins, but have just 21 takeaways in 14 losses dating back to '98. The Cardinals have been outscored a combined 83-6 in the first quarter in 10 games in '99. In 25 starts dating back to 1997 (17 with Panthers, 7 with Saints, 1 with Giants), Giants QB Kerry Collins has thrown 10 touchdown passes and just four interceptions in eight wins, 13 TD passes and 33 interceptions in 17 losses.

Since 1996 (including playoffs), the Giants have committed just 29 turnovers in 29 wins, 72 turnovers in 29 losses and a tie. The Giants have scored 320 points and committed just 14 turnovers in 13 wins, while scoring just 147 points and committing 32 turnovers in 13 losses dating back to '98. They have forced 35 turnovers and totaled 50 sacks in 13 wins, while totaling just eight takeaways and 24 sacks in 13 losses dating back to '98. The Giants have allowed three or more sacks in six straight games.

Things to look for: Thanks to wins over the Lions and Cowboys, Vince Tobin's team suddenly finds itself back in division title hunt in the less-than-scintillating NFC East. And if the once-formidable Giants' defense doesn't regain its ability to stop the run, it could be a long afternoon for Jim Fassel's club, which now turns to QB Kerry Collins to spark the offense. It will take a lot more than that.

Etc.: The Cardinals have lost three straight road games. Including playoffs, the Giants are 15-6-1 vs. NFC East opponents and just 8-13 (0-1 in playoffs) vs. the rest of the NFL under head coach Jim Fassel (1997-99). Cardinals WR Rob Moore (606) needs 4 catches to tie both Herman Moore and Keith Byars (610) for 19th place on the NFL's all-time receiving list. Moore (9,152) needs 123 yards to tie Raymond Berry (9,275) for 19th place on the NFL's all-time receiving yardage list.