He did not practice Thursday, and while that doesn't normally provide a pat answer for such questions, his sore knee is of greater importance for the defending Super Bowl champions than one game -- even if it is against their arch enemies, the Cowboys.

"We'll do the smart thing," said coach Tom Coughlin. "If the medical people say he can play, then he will. If it's unclear, then it will be a game-time decision. We would like that home-field advantage, of course, but we're in the playoffs and we have to do the smart things that will help us get to where we want to go."

The hulking 6-foot-4, 265-pound running back with 1,002 yards is somewhat uncertain for the Dallas game.

"He feels a little better each day," Coughlin said Thursday, "but he didn't practice today. We'll see how he is tomorrow. We don't want to rush him into the game, and we do have a few other running backs."

Indeed, his backup is Derrick Ward, who has 669 yards and, with a chance, could provide the team with its first double-1,000-yard rusher in franchise history. There is also flashy Ahmad Bradshaw, who provides a change of pace with his elusiveness and breakaway speed.

The problem is whether to play Jacobs or not, and from all indications, that won't be decided until 90 minutes before kickoff.

--After Sunday's game against the Philadelphia Eagles, the one that handed the Giants just their second loss of the season, defensive end Justin Tuck was furious, frustrated and far from serene.

"I'm getting double-teamed and triple-teamed," he said, "and after a while it just gets to me, you know?"

Tuck is the Giants' sack leader with 11.5, 1.5 more than he had last season as the "super-sub" for Michael Strahan (since retired) and Osi Umenyiora (out for the season after an exhibition game knee injury). As a starter he has been more than satisfactory, but he needs some help since he is the Giant most offensive coordinators single out as "the guy to stop."

Someone asked head coach Tom Coughlin if he would agree that Tuck is getting superstar attention, and he did. So the next question went something like this: "Coach, if they are taking that much trouble and paying that much attention to Tuck, shouldn't there be someone else free and clear?"

He deftly avoided that pitfall but continued talking about Tuck.

"I think it is just like anyone who has pass rushing ability," he said. "When you get this far into the season people are doing what they can to negate that and to protect against that. So whether it's a chip block or a tight end in front or a slide by the offensive linemen, there are going to be all kinds of (things like that) used. It is the relentless coming back every play, coming hard every play and not getting frustrated. That's the key."

The avoidance to the direct question might have brought the other defensive end, Mathias Kiwanuka, into the conversation, and it is likely that Coughlin would not want to comment on the 2006 first-round pick who was moved to strong-side linebacker last year and then back to end this year.

He is not having a particularly outstanding season and seems slightly out-matched lately. He had difficulty against Eagles' left tackle Tra Thomas last week and has had similar problems with other tackles. This is neither unusual nor unexpected; left tackles are usually the best of the offensive linemen and vital in protecting the quarterback.

But if Kiwi, as he is called, isn't mounting enough of a challenge, perhaps he'd be better moving back to strong-side linebacker. That may well be in the cards for next season, when Umenyiora returns, but for now he is the designated right defensive end and must manage to hold his own.

He draws gigantic Dallas left tackle Flozell Adams (6-7, 350) Sunday night, and with Tony Romo back at quarterback, it will be crucial for the Giants to present a pass rush strong enough and consistent enough to apply pressure, if not produce sacks.

And if the trend continues of double-teaming Tuck, then it's up to Kiwi to produce.

SERIES HISTORY: 93rd regular-season meeting. Dallas leads series, 54-36-2. The Giants lost both regular-season games to the Cowboys last year but then stunned them on the road in the second round of the playoffs, advancing to the NFC Championship game in Green Bay before winning the Super Bowl.