NFL Week 13: Dallas Cowboys vs. Seattle Seahawks

The Dallas Cowboys Thanksgiving tradition continues in Texas Stadium as The ‘Boys make a run to the playoffs!

Cowboys vs. Seahawks Overview:
The Dallas Cowboys shredded the San Francisco 49ers to show that the combination of Tony Romo and Terrell Owens was back on track. With a record of 7-4, the Dallas Cowboys are still fighting for a playoff spot, and every NFC game is crucial to the postseason. The Seattle Seahawks are 2-9 and are playing for pride at this point. The Seattle Seahawks would like to help head coach Mike Holmgren retire on a high note. Fans with Dallas Cowboys tickets will pack Texas Stadium for the last Thanksgiving Day game in the history-filled venue.

Dallas Cowboys Offense:
After putting up over 200 yards alone, the passing combination of Terrell Owens and Tony Romo was back on track against the San Francisco 49ers. The addition of WR Roy Williams to the offense has really opened up the veteran Terrell Owens and rookie TE Martellus Bennett to make plays. Fans with Dallas Cowboys tickets love the huge offensive line that flattens smaller opponents in the running game and walls off pass rushers on almost very passing play. Dallas Cowboys tickets will also feature RB Marion Barber, who wears down defenses with his pounding attack that recalls runners of a forgotten era.

Dallas Cowboys Defense:
Dallas Cowboys head coach Wade Philips has taken a more active role in the 3-4 defense and the aggressive schemes have quickly paid off. OLB DeMarcus Ware is the marquee name of the front seven and has 12 sacks with the possibility of getting 20 or more by season’s end. NT Jay Ratliff could be the best 3-4 NT in football right now and is a dynamic pass rusher. LBs Bradie James, Anthony Spencer, and Zach Thomas are all playing at a high level as well. Much to the delight of fans with Dallas Cowboys tickets, CBs Terrence Newman and Anthony Henry are both finally healthy and provide great coverage.

Seattle Seahawks Offense:
The Seattle Seahawks West Coast offense got a big boost from the return of QB Matt Hasselbeck and looks to get its rhythm back with the veteran under center. The Seattle Seahawks receiving corps has not been great thanks to injuries, but veterans Koren Robinson and Bobby Engram have stepped up and WR Deion Branch is finally healthy. TE John Carlson has been an impact rookie and is gold in the red zone. RB Julius Jones is having a career resurgence with the Seattle Seahawks and will join with Maurice Morris to form a great tandem in the backfield.

Seattle Seahawks Defense:
The loss of DE Patrick Kerney to injury is a big obstacle to overcome, but rookie DE Lawrence Jackson has stepped up admirably in his absence and will be a future force on the line. DTs Brandon Mebane and Rocky Bernard are also excellent pass rushers. LBs Lofa Tatupu and Julian Peterson are two of the best in the NFL and have great rangy speed. CB Marcus Trufant is the leader of the Seattle Seahawks secondary but needs to get more help out of his safeties and other defensive backs.

Dallas Cowboys Keys to Victory:
With a giant offensive line and a dangerous runner in Marion Barber, the Dallas Cowboys love to establish the power run. Injuries to RB Felix Jones means that Marion Barber has carried the ball a ton of times, and the Dallas Cowboys may give him a break. In that case, it will be up to the passing attack which is always thrilling for fans with Dallas Cowboys tickets to see live. Terrell Owens exploded against the San Francisco 49ers, but he will see more double coverage without Jason Witten in the lineup. WR Roy Williams is set to have the biggest day of his Dallas Cowboys career.

The Dallas Cowboys defense will be out to stop RB Julius Jones first of all. With the Seattle Seahawks passing attack being off track, they will turn to the running game. If the Dallas Cowboys can stop him early and build a lead, then DeMarcus Ware and Anthony Spencer can get after Matt Hasselbeck thanks to their complicated 3-4 blitzing scheme. CB Terrence Newman should have no trouble shutting out Koren Robinson and Anthony Henry will have the other side locked down as well. The thousands of fans with Dallas Cowboys tickets will also help with a ton of crowd noise.

Seattle Seahawks Keys to Victory:
In order to keep Matt Hasselbeck upright, the Seattle Seahawks needs to establish the running game. RB Julius Jones has a bone to pick with his former team and would love to rack up a ton of yards against the Dallas Cowboys. WR Deion Grant needs to get back into form as the third WR, and he should see plenty of time matched up against rookie CB Mike Jenkins. TE John Carlson can have a huge game if he can get matched up against the poor SS of the Dallas Cowboys in deep coverage.

With Marion Barber likely to be rested, the Seattle Seahawks will face a bigger dose of the passing game. Rookie DE Lawrence Jackson needs to have the game of his life against Tony Romo in order to keep the excellent QB from choosing his spots. DT Brandon Mebane needs to continue his dominance of the interior to both open pass-rushing lanes and contain the gaps on running plays. The blitzing of OLB Julian Peterson needs to be consistent but not predictable. CB Marcus Trufant needs to live up to his billing as a shutdown corner against Terrell Owens and must work him in press coverage.

Cowboys vs. Seahawks Outlook:
With only five days separating their Sunday games from Thanksgiving Day, both teams will be hurting. The greater depth at running back gives the Seattle Seahawks an advantage on the ground over the Dallas Cowboys. However, the totally anemic passing attack of the Seattle Seahawks poses little threat to one of the best secondaries in the NFL. The complicated adjustments at the line of scrimmage will also be harder for Matt Hasselbeck thanks to the roar of a sold-out crowd of fans with Dallas Cowboys tickets inside Texas Stadium.

The Seattle Seahawks are racked with injury, and 2008 is simply not their year. On paper they do not have the talent to match up with one of the best teams on the NFL. The total destruction of the San Francisco 49ers and a clutch win over the hated Washington Redskins a week earlier have returned the swagger to the whole collection of Dallas Cowboys stars. Fans will Dallas Cowboys tickets will be able to wash their turkey down with another win in Texas Stadium on Thanksgiving Day.