Now, with a week to work on a reaction, offensive coordinator Kevin Gilbride has had time to reload, and one of the theories is that he will use WR Steve Smith far more than he has before, and not as a middle-of-the-field receiver but going deep downfield, along with Domenik Hixon (ankle, foot), who did not participate in practice Thursday.

If Hixon can't go, Smith will be the starter at split end.

PLAYER NOTES

--WR Domenik Hixon, the replacement for the suspended Plaxico Burress (Non-Football Injury list), did not practice Thursday. He is nursing ankle and foot injuries and, like Brandon Jacobs, did not practice for a second straight day. His replacement would be Steve Smith.

--The NFL Players Association filed a grievance against the Giants for their actions concerning WR Plaxico Burress, who was suspended for the final four games of the season and placed on the non-football injury list after accidentally shooting himself with an unlicensed handgun he carried into a New York night club.

--This will be the final time the Giants appear in Texas Stadium, which has been the Cowboys' home since 1971. Next season they'll move to a new palace in Arlington, Texas, leaving the Irving, Texas, semi-dome standing alone. The Giants won just 11 of 35 games played there in the regular season, but last Jan. 13 won an NFC Divisional Playoff game at Texas Stadium, 21-17.

--TE Kevin Boss is the starter for the Giants and as such has caught 27 passes for 315 yards and five TDs. His backups, Michael Matthews and Darcy Johnson, are used mainly as blocking aides, and combined they have just four receptions. But two of them -- both by Johnson -- have resulted in touchdowns. So the tight end position has accounted for four touchdowns this season. Last year Jeremy Shockey (now with New Orleans) had three touchdown catches.

--Four Giants reportedly finished at the top of their positions in the fan portion of voting for the Pro Bowl, which counts for only one-third of the total vote. They are DE Justin Tuck, G Chris Snee, C Shaun O'Hara and P Jeff Feagles. Four others finished second at their positions -- OT David Diehl, FB Madison Hedgecock, K John Carney and special teamer Chase Blackburn. Teams will be announced Dec. 16.

GAME PLAN: The Giants will attempt to rotate their WRs to prevent the Cowboys from emulating the Eagles and loading up the front line to stifle their running game, now that WR Plaxico Burress is unavailable. More emphasis figures to be placed on the short slants and outs, and you might look for WR Steve Smith to have more of a role, even as the third WR (if Domenik Hixon manages to play despite foot and ankle injuries).

MATCHUPS TO WATCH: Giants pass protection vs. Cowboys OLB DeMarcus Ware - The Giants will have to find a way to contend with Ware, the NFC's sack leader with 16, second in the NFL only to Miami's Joey Porter (16.5). They'll attempt to stop him with OLT David Diehl and FB Madison Hedgecock, and failing that will slide TE Kevin Boss over for additional help. Meanwhile, Cowboys LDE Marcus Spears and NT Jay Ratliff will take some advantage if the Giants move around too much.

Giants QB Eli Manning and WR Amani Toomer vs. Cowboys secondary: Manning and Toomer have teamed up to burn the Cowboys' secondary frequently the past few years, connecting on short and medium slant and curls. They figure to do so again.

Giants LDE Justin Tuck vs. Cowboys RT Marc Colombo: Tuck will go against the hulking but not overly quick-footed Colombo, and it is likely that the Cowboys will have to offer help to him.

Giants CBs Corey Webster and Aaron Ross vs. Cowboys WRs Terrell Owens and Patrick Crayton: Webster and Ross will be primarily concerned with Owens, who can be electric. A secondary consideration is Crayton, who is dangerous but less likely to play a leading role in the Dallas passing offense.

INJURY IMPACT: It is unknown whether RB Brandon Jacobs (knee) will play. Similarly, there is doubt concerning WR Domenik Hixon. All the other "walking wounded" figure to play.