text: In large part due to their two touchdown-scoring drives, Dallas dominated the game statistically, outgaining the Giants 336–230 and controlling the ball for 36:30 compared to the Giants's 23:30.  However, the Cowboys committed 11 penalties compared to just three by the Giants, and while Romo outgained Manning through the air, Manning's QB rating for the game was 132.4 compared to Romo's 64.7.
  The Giants were headed to Green Bay to play the Green Bay Packers on January 20 for the NFC Championship and a spot in Super Bowl XLII. However, The Cowboys were considered the team widely expected to represent the NFC in the Super Bowl, and the NFC championship game was expected to be played in Dallas, not Green Bay, as the Packers had earned the #2 seed.  This was because the Packers had lost to the Cowboys during the regular season.  With the big win over Dallas, the Giants had suddenly changed all expectations, and improved their overall record to 12–6.  This set a matchup the following week against the also heavily favored Packers, who were 14–3 after a 42–20 victory over the Seattle Seahawks in the Divisional round, and additionally had soundly defeated the Giants in New York in week 2, 35–13.
  NFC Championship Game: at Green Bay Packers