(My Sportsbook) - Jim Fassel's Giants dropped a 19-3 decision to the Dallas Cowboys last week. It was New York's seventh straight loss since winning consecutive games to get to 4-4. Fassel was notified by team management prior to last week's game that the club would part ways with him after the 2003 season. Fassel graciously agreed to coach the team for the remainder of the regular season.

"Knowing this is going to be the end, there are a lot of things I want to get in place," said Fassel, who has been at the helm since 1997. "Not only the game, but the closing down of the season and my era here.

"I want to make sure, first and foremost, that my staff has its concerns addressed. I've got some things set up so they can sit down with the organization and get all the little questions answered. I want to make sure that they're all taken care of. I'll make a fairly swift exit so they can move on. I'll be here for the postseason meeting on Monday, cross the Ts, dot the Is, make sure everything is organized for the exit physicals and everyone follows through with what they're supposed to do and be here, and then I'll get out of here."

The Giants, who host former defensive coordinator John Fox and the Carolina Panthers in Week 17, are 1-6 at home this season. New York has not won at Giants Stadium since a season-opening victory over St. Louis.

HYPE MACHINE: For all the preseason hype surrounding the Giants' high-powered offense, the unit was one of the biggest disappointments of the NFL's 2003 campaign.

Injuries to Jeremy Shockey, Kerry Collins, Ike Hilliard and 60 percent of its starting offensive line hampered the offense's mid- to late-season production, but the unit wasn't too impressive even when it had all its parts. The Giants scored 30 or more points twice this season, but won only one of those games.

New York's offense heads into the season finale ranked 31st in the league in points per game (14.6). Due to falling behind early in many games, the Giants have been forced to throw the football much more than they anticipated. The Giants average 24.5 rushing attempts per game (31st-NFL) and 38.2 passes per contest (1st-NFL).

Veteran wideout Amani Toomer has managed to have another strong campaign despite the offense's shortcomings. Toomer's 66 receiving yards last week in Dallas pushed his season total to 1,010 and put him in some very elite company.

This is the fifth consecutive season in which Toomer has more than 1,000 receiving yards, tying him with Indy's Marvin Harrison for the second-longest current streak in the NFL. Randy Moss of Minnesota leads the list with six consecutive 1,000-yard seasons. Just behind Toomer and Harrison are Torry Holt (St. Louis) and Terrell Owens (San Francisco) with four consecutive 1,000-yard seasons. All of these players have a way to go before they challenge the all- time record. Jerry Rice, now with Oakland, had 11 straight 1,000-yard seasons from 1986-96 when he was with the 49ers. No other Giant in history has more than three consecutive 1,000-yard seasons. Del Shofner did it from 1961-63, and Homer Jones matched the feat from 1966-68.

Jesse Palmer, who is 0-2 as the starting quarterback, is the first Giant to lose his first two starts since Collins in 1999. The Florida product will start his third straight game for the Giants on Sunday.

The Giants' offense has scored 10 points under Palmer in two games. However, Palmer has not been intercepted in 73 pass attempts this season.