Giants-Cowboys rivalry has playoffs on line

A Giants-Cowboys game is always a big deal. But in this case, the stakes will be bigger than the rivalry.

The winner of Sunday night's game between the two teams will win the NFC East and host a wild-card game the following weekend. The loser's season will end.

"Everyone says the Giants fight hardest when their backs are against the wall," safety Antrel Rolle said Monday. "They can't get any more backed up than they are right now. May the best man win and losers go home. No one remembers second place."

The Cowboys are dealing with some injuries. They put guard Montrae Holland on injured reserve with a biceps injury Monday, but the Giants expect to see quarterback Tony Romo (bruised hand) and running back Felix Jones (hamstring).

"He's going to play," Michael Boley said of Romo. "If you have a guy who can play with a cracked rib [as Romo did earlier this season], I'm quite sure he's going to play with a dinged-up hand."

Nicks' drops an issue

Hakeem Nicks' hands were always his most important tool, but lately they have betrayed him. In the last two weeks he has dropped five passes, two of them would-be touchdowns.

"With him, drops are really shocking," Tom Coughlin said. "He has incredible hands and big hands. He just snatches the ball out of the air, so you have to give a little credit to the defense."

Giant steps

Coughlin said both wide receiver Mario Manningham (knee) and defensive end Osi Umenyiora (ankle) are "questionable," but Manningham has a better shot of playing . . . Tight end Jake Ballard (knee) said he is not running yet but did not rule himself out for Sunday.