Can injured Cowboys pull off miracle in the Meadowlands?

AP photo HE'S STARTING — Dallas is 1-1 the last two weeks with Brad Johnson (14) as their starting quarterback, following a hand injury to normal starter Tony Romo. Romo is just one of the Cowboys players out this week — TE Jason Witten, a key member of the offense, is questionable, and ornerback Terrance Newman and backup tailback Felix Jones won't play. Dallas visits the NFC East-leading New York Giants. Kickoff today is 3:15 p.m. DALLAS (AP) — Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones says he is glad Brad Johnson will be the Cowboys' starting quarterback today against the New York Giants and he expects coaches to stick with the 40- year-old backup.

"Our best chance is to have him," Jones said Thursday.

The Cowboys (5-3) visit the Giants (6-1) today, a 3:15 p.m. kickoff time. Other games in the NFL this weekend have (at noon) Houston at Minnesota, Detroit at Chicago, Green Bay at Tennessee, the New York Jets at Buffalo, Arizona at St. Louis, Baltimore at Cleveland, Tampa Bay at Kansas City, Jacksonville at Cincinnati, (at 3:15), Miami at Denver, Atlanta at Oakland, Philadelphia at Seattle, and Sunday night at 7:30, New England at Indianapolis.

The Monday night game is Pittsburgh at Washington.

Johnson is 1-1 since Tony Romo broke the pinkie on his throwing hand. He threw three interceptions in the loss and passed for only 122 yards in the win, prompting speculation that third-stringer Brooks Bollinger may go in at the first sign that Johnson is struggling.

"No, I don't see that," Jones said. "That would not be fair to our ability to win the game. We have got a guy who has years and years of making decisions here. We have every reason to believe he can make decisions and make the throws to win this game for us."

Johnson's experience is a big plus, but the Cowboys (5-3) may need Bollinger's better mobility and stronger arm against the division-leading Giants (6- 1). However, Bollinger has only been around since Week 2 and has hardly thrown to the firstteam receivers.

Jones said he's confident coach Wade Phillips and offensive coordinator Jason Garrett know if and when to make a change.

"Those guys have a good feel for it. I wouldn't touch it," Jones said. "They have spent hours and hours over the last couple of years with Brad. They know where Brooks is and where he is right now. I am totally and completely satisfied with their timing on any decision they make regarding the quarterback."

Jones spoke after a news conference announcing that the Cowboys and Dallas Mavericks will co-host the 2010 NBA All- Star game at the football team's new stadium.

The Cowboys are a heavy underdog today, partly because of all their injuries. Romo is among several key starters who will be missing on offense and defense. Tight end Jason Witten, the NFC's leading receiver, could be among the absences because of a broken rib (see below).

After playing New York, Dallas will have a bye. The injured players are all expected back Nov. 16 at Washington.

Jones dismissed the notion his team is trying to get through this game and reload against the Redskins.

"Just the opposite," he said. "This is a pivotal game. Every aspect of this game takes on the same priority as if this was a playoff game. ... In this case, the upside has so much more bearing our future than the downside that you got welcome a game like this."

Besides, players have revenge on their mind. New York beat Dallas in the playoffs last season.

"You don't have to conjure up any reasons to dislike these guys," Jones said. "They took something away from us last year that was very important to us. That is all we need. ...

"I am very confident. I know how the players are approaching the game. Everybody has got their head in the right place. This is a great opportunity for us to go to New York to play the world champs. This could really do something for our team to have success."

Witten still hasn't been ruled out of playing with a broken rib against the Giants, even after missing practice again Friday.

Witten hasn't practiced this week with the Cowboys, but the team listed him as questionable for the game. The fourtime Pro Bowl tight end, hurt in last week's victory over Tampa Bay, said he hopes to play.

Phillips said Witten could play against the Giants without practicing.

"He does everything right in practice, that's why he doesn't need to practice as much," Phillips said.

Phillips also said Romo, who will miss his third consecutive game because of the broken pinkie on his throwing hand, may resume throwing next week. The Pro Bowl quarterback is hoping to be back for the Cowboys' next game, Nov. 16 at Washington following the bye after the Giants game.

Kyle Kosier had limited participation for the second day in a row while trying to come back from a foot injury, but he was listed as out of the Giants game. Running back Felix Jones (hamstring) and cornerback Terence Newman (sports hernia) also won't play.

Cornerback Anthony Henry (thigh), linebacker Anthony Spencer (hamstring) and safety Patrick Watkins (neck) were full participants in practice Friday. All were listed as probable, Henry after getting hurt last week and Spencer and Watkins after missing multiple games.

Dallas has an open date next week, then likely will get Romo back in Washington Nov. 19.