EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. -- Six days before the game that will decide the NFC East title, New York Giants defensive end Justin Tuck made his position about his opponent very clear.

"I've been quoted many times saying I hate the Dallas Cowboys, and I still do," Tuck said.

Tuck has been consistent on this. He's even been quoted in the past few years ripping the Cowboys' new stadium. But pressed on his reasons for his hatred of the Cowboys, Tuck couldn't come up with an answer. He was just very matter-of-fact about his feelings and said he didn't really know where they came from. If anything, he was respectful in discussing this week's opponent.

"A lot of it's out of respect," Tuck said. "I think when you look at all of the history, all of the great players, the championships won, I think the two teams are probably more similar than a lot of people like to admit."

Wherever it comes from, there will be plenty of emotion flowing Sunday night when Tuck and the Giants face the Cowboys at MetLife Stadium for the NFC East title.

"I do not like the Cowboys and they don't like me," Tuck said. "And that's how it's supposed to be. That's nothing new."

Tuck believes the home crowd will provide the Giants with a major advantage.

"I know our crowd is going to come out fired up for this game, playoff atmosphere, Sunday night, winner take all and I know our fans hate the Cowboys as much as I do," Tuck said.

Tuck was as fired up Saturday for a game as he has been at any time this year, casting aside the nicks and bruises that have been bothering him all year after a pep talk from coach Tom Coughlin. He believes he played his best game of the year in the Giants' win over the New York Jets.

This week, he expects everybody on both sides to be in the right competitive frame of mind. He expects injured Cowboys Tony Romo and Felix Jones to play -- an expectation shared by Coughlin and safety Antrel Rolle.