Associated Press

This week’s preview …

Six weeks ago, the New York Giants seemed on the way to the NFC East title. The Dallas Cowboys were reeling.

They’re in opposite places when they meet today at the Meadowlands.

The turnaround actually started with New York’s 36-22 win in Dallas, when Tony Romo replaced Drew Bledsoe at halftime as Dallas quarterback. The Giants, on the other hand, lost defenders LaVar Arrington, Osi Umenyiora, Brandon Short and Justin Tuck to injuries in that game, the beginning of a run of aches and pains that leaves them a game behind the Cowboys in the division and on life support with their fans and media.

But things can change quickly.

A win today and New York (6-5) would be back even with Dallas (7-4) and hold the tiebreaker because the Giants won that game in Dallas, which showed up only sporadically on television because ESPN was too busy shilling “Dancing with the Stars” and other shows under the Disney corporate umbrella.

The Giants are finally getting healthier. Umenyiora and Short might play this week and even Strahan could be back.

“I think they’ll rally up and I think that they’re still our main competition in the division, without question,” Parcells says. “They beat us pretty badly down here the first time. They played well and we played poorly, and the combination of that made it very one-sided. I’m expecting a very tough game.”

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Cincinnati opened the weekend Thursday night with a 13-7 home victory over Baltimore.

In other games today, Minnesota is at Chicago; the New York Jets at Green Bay; Atlanta at Washington; Arizona at St. Louis; Indianapolis at Tennessee; San Diego at Buffalo; Detroit at New England; San Francisco at New Orleans; Kansas City at Cleveland; Jacksonville at Miami; Houston at Oakland; Tampa Bay at Pittsburgh; and Seattle at Denver.

The Carolina Panthers are at Philadelphia on Monday night.

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Minnesota (5-6) at Chicago (9-2)

Despite their loss in Foxborough last week, the Bears will clinch the NFC North with a win. Yes, it’s been a foregone conclusion since before the season, but this will make it official, with home-field advantage in the NFC soon to come.

Indianapolis (10-1) at Tennessee (4-7)

An Indy win clinches the AFC South (another foregone conclusion). The Colts already are practicing for the playoffs by using the run rather than Peyton Manning’s arm. No wonder fantasy folks dislike Manning, and vice versa.

San Diego (9-2) at Buffalo (5-6)

This game — more specifically the weather — might be a problem for the Chargers, who would love home-field advantage in the playoffs or at least a first-round bye. The long range forecast for Sunday: a balmy 32 with a few snow showers, although in Buffalo terms, “snow showers” can be a euphemism for a blizzard.

A small kudo for Dick Jauron and his boss, Marv Levy, who have built a competitive team when few people thought they could.

Jacksonville (6-5) at Miami (5-6)

Two teams that exemplify the wacky nature of the NFL. The Dolphins started 1-6 and have won four straight, in part because DE Jason Taylor has become an offensive force (two TDs) as well as a defensive one. Jacksonville can win at home against everyone but Houston, but it’s 1-4 on the road.

Tampa Bay (3-8) at Pittsburgh (4-7)

Pittsburgh’s 27-0 loss in Baltimore last week ended talk of a late playoff run. The final five games may be Bill Cowher’s last hurrah with the Steelers, not because the Rooneys want to fire him but because he has a new home in North Carolina and might want (and need) a hiatus after 15 seasons as an NFL head coach.

Detroit (2-9) at New England (8-3)

“I don’t think there are any teams that you can just show up and roll the helmets out there and expect to beat,” Tom Brady says of his opponent this week.

San Francisco (5-6) at New Orleans (7-4)

The 49ers are having a nice season for a team few people expected to get to five wins. This one may be a little tough, although RB Frank Gore’s sore ankle, which gave the team a scare, appears to be fine.

New York Jets (6-5) at Green Bay (4-7)

This is part of the “easy” finishing schedule that has Jets fans thinking playoffs.

But are the Jets so good that they can think, in Tom Brady’s words, that they can roll their helmets out and win? Coach Eric Mangini has done an excellent job with a team that was supposed to challenge for the first pick in the draft, but is certainly not a power yet.

Atlanta (5-6) at Washington (4-7)

Jason Campbell got his first win as an NFL quarterback last week for the Redskins, primarily because the underachieving defense woke up — especially safety Sean Taylor.

Underachieving doesn’t begin to describe the Falcons, who have lost four straight. It especially applies to the receivers, one reason Michael Vick is so frustrated.

Arizona (2-9) at St. Louis (5-6)

The Rams won the road version of this series because their former QB, Kurt Warner, fumbled a snap late in the game. Now the Cardinals start Matt Leinart, who got his first win two weeks ago and threw for 405 yards in a loss last week in Minnesota.

How wacky is the NFC? The Rams had lost five in a row before squeezing by San Francisco last week and still remain in the wild-card race. Undeservedly so for a team that can’t beat anyone with a winning record.

Houston (3-8) at Oakland (2-9)

The Raiders scared the Chargers in San Diego last week, then fired offensive coordinator Tom Walsh. Probably not Art Shell’s decision — look to a guy named Al who watches from on high.

Houston is 2-0 against teh Jags and 1-8 against everyone else. Kansas City (7-4) at Cleveland (3-8)

The Chiefs are in pretty good shape for an AFL wild-card spot, especially with Trent Green back at quarterback and getting healthier. One thing coach Herman Edwards has fixed is the historically leaky defense.

Seattle (7-4) at Denver (7-4) (Tonight)

Jay Cutler makes his debut as Denver’s quarterback, replacing Jake Plummer, an indication coach Mike Shanahan thinks the future may be more important than the present. For all the success Romo and Philip Rivers have had this year, they sat for at least a couple of years. Cutler is a rookie and rookie quarterbacks tend to struggle.

“We understand that there is always a process involved,” Shanahan says of Cutler. “I like the way he has practiced, I like the way he handles himself and I think he gives us the best chance to win.”