MANHATTAN — It’s now or never.
The Giants can snag an NFC East title and a trip to the postseason with a win over the division rival Dallas Cowboys Sunday night.
But a loss would send them home for a third-straight season without a playoff appearance.
The teams, both 8-7 and vying for a playoff berth, meet at MetLife Sunday at 8:30 p.m. to determine who finishes tops in a division many predicted the Giants couldn’t win.
Despite going 2-5 leading up to their matchup with Dallas, including a victory over their crosstown rival Jets last week, the Giants are slight favorites to return to the postseason for the first time since the 2008 season. The winner also gets to take on their first playoff opponent at home.
“There is only one game we have to focus on and only one game we have to win to get to what our next goal is,” Giants linebacker Mathias Kiwanuka told the Associated Press.
“We have one game and one opportunity to continue on our way to accomplishing our goal, which is winning a national title.”
Both Giants and Cowboys fans began gathering at local bars hours before the game to catch the primetime matchup.
At Stone Creek on East 27th Street near Lexington Avenue, a Cowboys stronghold, Dallas fans didn't shy away from showing their true colors.
"We've got America's team," said Bobby Johnson, 23, of the Bronx, who predicted the Cowboys would win by a touchdown. "The last time I checked, the Jets and the Giants were both from New Jersey. The only New York team is the Bills."
The bar's bouncer, John Pristone, 39, said they won't allow any Giants fans inside for the game to avoid conflicts.
That was fine for Big Blue fan Lloyd Kim, 26, who stood outside Rodeo Bar on Third Avenue just down the block from Stone Creek proudly donning his Giants jersey.
"I've been a Giants fan my whole life. I think they're going to win," he said. "I would be shocked if the Cowboys beat them."
