Bill Parcells knows a trap when he sees one.

So, immediately after his Dallas Cowboys routed the Philadelphia Eagles, Parcells made it clear they hadn’t won anything.

“I don’t think you need to get the hats and horns out yet,” he said.

Presumably, his team is listening as it prepares for the New York Giants on Sunday at Texas Stadium. Despite the big win, the Cowboys are tied with Philadelphia for “last place” in the all-winning NFC East, a half-game behind the Giants and Washington Redskins.

A lot probably depends on how the Cowboys respond to Parcells.

Teams coming off big wins always say they can’t let down. But they let down mentally because it’s hard not to subconsciously believe the hype when you start reading and hearing about Super Bowl trips.

Parcells knows the Cowboys aren’t at that point.

As Eagles coach Andy Reid points out, everyone in the NFC East is catching up to his team, which has won the last five division titles. That includes the Giants, who lead the league in scoring with an average of 34 points.

Credit quarterback Eli Manning, who has matured quickly in his second season with the help of his new favorite receiver, Plaxico Burress. Manning got his first win in last season’s finale after starting his career with six straight losses.

He engineered a drive in the final minute to beat the Cowboys, 28-24, and he’s continued the momentum this season.

But Manning is due for a turnover or two. And the Giants’ defense, strong against the run in three of its first four games, is vulnerable in the secondary.

The Cowboys are favored by 31â2 points, or a half-point more than home field.

Give it to them.

COWBOYS, 27-21

St. Louis (plus 131â2) at Indianapolis (Monday night)

The Colts play defense. The Rams don’t.

COLTS, 41-26

Washington (plus 6) at Kansas City

Every Redskins game this season has been decided by three points or less.

CHIEFS, 18-15

Jacksonville (off) at Pittsburgh

Chances are Charlie Batch is the Steelers’ QB.

Chances are …

JAGUARS, 12-11

Miami (plus 4) at Tampa Bay

Ricky is back. Cadillac might be.

BUCS, 13-12

Cleveland (plus 51â2) at Baltimore

Is new Cleveland, with former Raven Trent Dilfer, much worse than old Cleveland?

RAVENS, 14-12

Carolina (plus 1) at Detroit

The Lions are so short on receivers that DB R.W. McQuarters volunteered to play there.

PANTHERS, 24-20

New England (plus 3) at Denver

The Pats’ schedule doesn’t ease up, and the injuries keep coming.

But the Broncos are due …

For a loss.

PATRIOTS, 24-23

San Diego (minus 11â2) at Oakland

A short trip off a short week is different than a long trip.

CHARGERS, 30-23

Cincinnati (minus 3) at Tennessee

The Titans aren’t a pushover, but …

BENGALS, 27-22

Minnesota (plus 3) at Chicago

This game started as even. Does someone know something?

BEARS, 14-10

New York Jets (plus 3) at Buffalo

We know Vinny’s the guy for the Jets. The Bills aren’t saying who their QB is, but bet on Holcomb.

BILLS, 13-11

Houston (plus 91â2) at Seattle

It’s hard to think of the perennially 50-50 Seahawks going two games over .500.

SEAHAWKS, 31-13

Atlanta (minus 41â2) “at” New Orleans (San Antonio)

Vick or Schaub? Doesn’t really matter against a team that seems terminally frazzled.

FALCONS, 24-13

LAST WEEK: 4-9-1 (spread) 6-8 (straight up)

SEASON: 31-42-1 (spread) 41-33 (straight up)