The New York Giants promised heading into their huge Week 12 matchup against the Dallas Cowboys that blood would be shed, and Cowboys defensive tackle Jason Hatcher took it to heart after the Giants season began to slowly bleed out following a crippling 24-21 loss coming at the hands of a Cowboys' game-winning field goal as time expired.
Giants defensive end Jason Pierre-Paul told reporters in the week leading up to the game that the Giants were going to "take it to the Cowboys" and that "blood would be shed," however, according to ESPN, it was Hatcher who had fake blood smeared across his face following the game in a way to mock the Giants.
"I just finished eating a Giant," Hatcher told ESPN. "Y'all didn't see me out there? That's some leftover blood. They said blood is going to be shed, right?"
Hatcher sacked Giants quarterback Eli Manning twice during the game en route to the victory.
After dropping six straight games to start the season, the Giants began to hit their stride, winning four games in a row heading into Sunday's matchup while the Cowboys were coming off an embarrassing 49-17 loss to the New Orleans Saints in which the team allowed a record 40 first downs.
Those elements made for a confident Giants team heading into Week 12 as Pierre-Paul expected to win, safety Antrel Rolle believed that Sunday would decide the outcome of the Giants season and cornerback Terrell Thomas guaranteed victory.
"No doubt we're going to win this game," Thomas said via ESPN heading into Week 12. "You can tell them; put it on a bulletin board. It doesn't matter, because we have to win this game. Our season is on the line right now."
The Giants didn't win the game, and their playoff hopes remain doubtful, while the Cowboys were just happy to win and keep pace with an idle Philadelphia Eagles team for a stake atop the division as both teams now have 6-5 records.
"Action speaks louder than words, so we went out there and did what we were supposed to do tonight," Hatcher said, according to ESPN. "They talked the talk. They had to back it up, and they didn't. We came out with the victory. We came into their house and took it from them."
Quarterback Tony Romo went 23-for-38 in the game for 250 yards with two touchdowns, an interception and four sacks.
"You could tell by their words they were confident leading up to it," Romo said per ESPN. "That's what makes the game great. It can be a great buildup throughout the week, but either way you've got to get out and play the football game. We understood that the game was going to be played on Sunday. Throughout all the talk and everything, we've played in games where stuff like that happens and you've just got to go play. The better team will win. That's what usually happens in the NFL."
No real blood was shed, but the Giants playoff hopes were definitely left battered and bruised after the Cowboys victory.
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