EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (AP) -In a different year, New York Giants tackle Fred Robbins might be overlooked, playing on a line with two Pro Bowl defensive ends.

Not this season, considering the way Robbins has played with Michael Strahan and Osi Umenyiora sidelined because of injuries. As the Giants head into Sunday's NFC East first-place showdown with the Dallas Cowboys (7-4), Robbins has been holding the line together.

He leads the Giants (6-5) in sacks (5.5), quarterback hurries (28) and QB hits (14). Remarkably, he also is tied with cornerbacks Sam Madison and R.W. McQuarters for the team lead with two interceptions.

``All he does is go out every week and just make plays,'' said Madison, who really didn't know much about Robbins after signing with the Giants as a free agent in the offseason.

``He doesn't talk a lot. He doesn't brag or boast a lot. He just goes out and plays football,'' Madison said. ``The majority of times when you come in on the (defensive) meetings, you never hear the coach say anything bad about him. All you hear is: 'Fred: Good job, keep it up.' He is constantly making plays.''

The performance has come at a key time. Umenyiora, an All Pro a year ago, has missed the last five games after suffering a hip flexor against Dallas on Oct. 23. Strahan has missed the last three games with a foot injury.

That has left Robbins to play on a line that includes two rookies - end Mathias Kiwanuka and tackle Barry Cofield - and William Joseph, a tackle who has been forced to play end.

Robbins has barely spent a play on the sidelines because of all the injuries.

``The young guys have been looking at me, so I have to keep going and keep fighting,'' said Robbins, who has started all 11 games. ``It helps when you have guys looking at you, no matter how much it hurts. You bring them along with you.''

The good news is that Umenyiora, linebacker Brandon Short (quad) and Madison (hamstring) are all expected to play Sunday, when the Giants try to end a three-game slide by snapping the three-game winning streak that Dallas has forged under new quarterback Tony Romo.

``He's on fire right now,'' Robbins said of Romo. ``Regardless of what he does, we have to go out and execute and do our jobs. If we don't do that it doesn't matter what he does.''

What's remarkable about Robbins' season is how unexpected it was. The seven-year veteran had a limited role in 2005 when the Giants won the NFC East. He started six games and finished with 1 1/2 sacks.

When tackle Kenderick Clancy signed with Arizona in the offseason, that opened the nose tackle job. Coach Tom Coughlin penciled in Robbins.

The assignment didn't work out in training camp and Robbins seemed destined for another minor role. However, he got a shot at the off tackle and it has resulted in what might be his best season.

``I had a fire lit before then,'' Robbins said of his training camp problems. ``It doesn't take that to get me motivated, to get me going. It definitely sparked me a little, but my goal before training camp was to have a bigger impact than I had in the past.''

Linebacker LaVar Arrington recalled talking with Robbins in training camp.

``All he wanted was to be remembered,'' said Arrington, who is sidelined with an Achilles' tendon injury. ``He's doing more than that. He's definitely having a Pro Bowl-type year.''

NOTES: WR Plaxico Burress missed practice Friday because his wife's grandmother died. He is expected back Saturday.Copyright © 2005 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. The information contained in the AP News report may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without the prior written authority of The Associated Press.