The Dallas Cowboys have been one of the NFL’s surprise teams through the first five weeks, running over opposing defenses en route to four wins in their first five games to co-own the best record in the NFC. But the Cowboys’ status as legitimate contenders will get its biggest test to date when they face the defending Super Bowl champion Seahawks, who are as well-equipped as any to stop the Cowboys’ running attack.
Speaking of running games, another track meet could be in store when the Steelers and Browns collide in Cleveland. Check out our preview of that game here, and read on to learn all about the Cowboys vs. Seahawks.
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Dallas Cowboys vs. Seattle Seahawks Preview
Where: AT&T Stadium, Arlington
When: Sunday, October 12, 4:25 PM ET
Line: Dallas Cowboys (+8) at Seattle Seahawks (-8); total: 47.5 – view all NFL lines
Betting on the Dallas Cowboys
By now, everyone knows what the Cowboys’ gameplan is on offense. They’re going to run the ball down the other team’s throat early and often, and so far, no one’s been able to stop them from doing exactly that.
[sc:NFL240banner ]Through five games, the Cowboys have rushed for 800 yards on the dot, an average of 160 per game. Running back DeMarco Murray has been the beneficiary of the Cowboys offensive line’s outstanding run blocking, which he has turned into 670 yards and five touchdowns, both easily the most in the league.
Murray was kept out of the end zone for the first time last week, but his 136 yards on a career-high 31 carries helped the Cowboys outlast the Texans, 20-17, in overtime. Unfortunately, Dallas couldn’t quite cover the five-point spread, dropping it to 3-1 ATS on the season.
Head coach Jason Garrett is already preparing to reduce Murray’s workload, which is on pace to break the single-season NFL record. The time to lessen his carries may come against the Seahawks, who have one of the best run defenses around.
In case Seattle shuts down the Cowboys on the ground, Tony Romo will be called upon for another big game. After a somewhat sluggish start to the season post-back surgery, Romo has flashed some excellent numbers. Romo’s 69.2 percent completion rate is currently second in the league, while his 80.4 QBR is fifth.
In Dez Bryant (32 receptions, 376 yards, 4 TDs) and Terrance Williams (16 catches for 250 yards, 5 TDs), Romo has a pair of big, physical receivers capable of slicing past a Seattle secondary that has looked more susceptible to the pass so far this season.
However, the defense has been the Achilles heel of this team, particularly against the run. The Cowboys are allowing 5.2 yards per carry, the second-worst in the NFL.
Betting on the Seattle Seahawks
If there’s any team that can shut down the Cowboys’ running game, it’s the Seattle Seahawks. The Seahawks front seven has been an absolute brick wall against the run this season, holding opponents to a pitiful 2.6 yards per carry.
Nitpickers may point out that stopping the Chargers and Broncos, who haven’t had any semblance of a running game this season, isn’t all that impressive, but the Seahawks squashed those arguments by limiting Alfred Morris (a legit top-10 rusher in the NFL) and the Redskins to 1.9 yards per carry in their 27-17 win on Monday Night Football.
The Seahawks aren’t so bad running the ball themselves, either. In fact, after their 225-yard evisceration of the Redskins, their 167 rushing yards per game is the most in the NFL. Russell Wilson displayed what he can do with his legs with a career-high 122 rushing yards on 11 carries.
Wilson also had two passing touchdowns for the fourth-straight game – talk about consistency! – but he could’ve had three more had Percy Harvin’s scores not been called back because of untimely penalties.
The Seahawks should have few problems moving the ball on the Cowboys, who couldn’t stop Arian Foster and the Texans from running all over them with 176 yards and two touchdowns last week.
However, Seattle should be wary of how opponents have been able move the ball on the previously impregnable Legion of Boom secondary, which has dropped off a bit from the lofty heights of last season.
It’s one thing to allow over 280 yards and two TDs to the likes of Philip Rivers and Peyton Manning, but it’s beginning to get a tad concerning when Kirk Cousins can have a 283-yard, two-touchdown game on the consensus best secondary in football.
In case you forgot, the Seahawks are incredible at home; they’re 19-1 in their last 20 home games. However, they’re just 2-4 at home against spreads of over a touchdown.
Writer’s Prediction
Romo rises up to the occasion to expose the Seahawks secondary and keep the Cowboys close. Take Dallas (+8) to cover on the road. Create a betting account now to be a part of more top-of-the-table NFL battles this season.
