EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — No question Sunday night's game against Dallas in Texas Stadium is a big one for the Giants, a chance to lock up a postseason bye against a traditional NFC East rival.

Yet in the playoffs' big picture, the Dec. 21 game against Carolina might be even greater. It could be for the No. 1 NFC seed and home-field advantage throughout the postseason.

With that thought, while the Giants would like to see running back Brandon Jacobs on the field against the Cowboys, they apparently aren't going to push it. If his troublesome left knee is not full-go, there is the distinct possibility he will be held out in hopes he's 100 percent for the Panthers and their two-man running back show of DeAngelo Williams and Jonathan Stewart.

Jacobs did not practice Wednesday as the Giants began preparations for the Cowboys. "I think he is a little better," coach Tom Coughlin said before the practice. "We will do the smart thing, the thing that is medically recommended."

The knee first started bothering Jacobs in the Oct. 5 win over Seattle. He reinjured it Sunday when he hit the turf hard after a 5-yard run in the third quarter of the 20-14 loss to the Eagles.

It was the right knee, however, that he hurt against Baltimore. It stiffened up on him during the flight to Arizona, forcing him to miss the Nov. 23 game against the Cardinals.

"I took a hard fall on it," Jacobs said of the latest blow to the left knee. "It kind of hurt a little more than anything else. It's very stiff. I'm doing the best I can and listening to the medical staff."

Jacobs said he always wants to play the rival Cowboys, against whom he rushed for 117 yards and a touchdown in the 35-14 victory Nov. 2 at Giants Stadium.

"I have no idea what's going on with Sunday," he said. "I wish I can be out there. But we have a nice playoff run we need to make and I want to be healthy for that as well. It's definitely a tough call, but I don't make them. I just listen to the (medical) people who have been doing this for years, and let them call the shots.

"Everything comes down to the doctors. It's just the competitive nature in me. I want to be out there to play. But rest would make it all better and that's all everyone needs across the NFL."

Not everyone can afford to rest at this time of the season. With the Giants, however, the depth at running back could allow Jacobs to take the week off.

Derrick Ward would move into the No. 1 slot. Ahmad Bradshaw would get a few more carries as the No. 2 man and Danny Ware will be ready if a third back is needed.

"I'm pretty sure they have faith in me to get the job done," Ward said of the Giants' coaches. "I've proven I can play in this league, be a starter in this league. I'm always ready to step in and fill that role as a starter and get the bulk of the carries and catches."

Ward got that opportunity five times last year while Jacobs was out with various ailments. He suffered a broken leg in the fifth start against the Bears, but did get a taste of the full-time load in those games.

"I'm not going to lie about it, you're more at ease with yourself when you get into a groove as a starter," he said. "But we have a good situation here. We pretty much have three quality backs who could start."

So Ward has averaged only about 10 carries per game in gaining 669 yards. Jacobs has averaged about 16 carries per game in the 12 he has played. Neither has been worn down by excess usage. "We're just extending each other's careers," Ward said.

"When B.J. was unable to play in the Arizona game, I was able to play the whole game and not even feel tired because I'm still fresh. I feel as good as I've ever felt. Let's see how it goes."