NFL Prediction: Seattle Seahawks Face Fired-Up Dallas Cowboys
Thursday, November 03, 2011
by Aengus Moorehead
Analysis:
The Dallas Cowboys have demonstrated the ability to put tough losses behind in the Jason Garrett era. The maddeningly inconsistent team will now try to bounce back from the most one-sided defeat of its head coach's tenure when it hosts the Seattle Seahawks Sunday in a midseason matchup.
Since Garrett replaced Wade Phillips on the sidelines halfway through the 2010 season, the Cowboys have gone 4-1 in games that followed a loss, with the lone blemish a hard-fought 20-16 setback at formidable New England on Oct. 16 in which the Patriots scored the go-ahead touchdown with 22 seconds left to play. Dallas has also had a tendency to play in close contests under the short-lived Garrett regime, with 10 of the club's 15 games during that period having been decided by four or less points.
That wasn't the case this past Sunday, however, as the Cowboys were soundly beaten in all phases by rival Philadelphia in a 34-7 throttling at Lincoln Financial Field. It was the team's worst loss since a 45-7 meltdown at Green Bay in Week 9 of last season, which prompted owner Jerry Jones to fire Phillips after the expected Super Bowl contenders dropped to 1-7.
Dallas' previously top-ranked run defense was gashed for 239 rushing yards by the Eagles and allowed 495 yards in all, while the offense generated its lowest scoring and yardage (267) outputs of this 2011 campaign.
The Cowboys have now lost three of four tests after an encouraging 2-1 start and sit two games behind the New York Giants for first place in the NFC East.
Dallas may have the right opponent to get well against in Seattle, also losers of three of its last four outings and just 2-5 entering the midway point of this 2011 campaign. The Seahawks are 31st in the league in total offense and rushing yards in addition to averaging a meager 15.6 points per game.
The defending NFC West champions have also lost seven of their eight most recent road tilts and are just 1-3 as the visitor this year. That victory did come against the front-running Giants, however, a 36-25 triumph back in Week 5.
Seattle hasn't been able to build off that impressive result, however, with the offense completely shut down in an ugly 6-3 ousting by Cleveland following a bye and a flurry of mistakes leading to last Sunday's 34-12 home mishap against surprising Cincinnati.
The Seahawks committed two turnovers and were whistled for 11 penalties against the Bengals, while also allowing two punt returns and letting the clock run out in the first half after reaching the Cincinnati one-yard line.
On the positive side, quarterback Tarvaris Jackson did throw for a career-high 323 yards on the afternoon after replacing an ineffective Charlie Whitehurst in the second quarter. Jackson did not start for a second straight week due to a pectoral strain he suffered in the Giants game, but will be under center on Sunday.
He'll be taking on a Dallas defense that will without Jenkins and linebacker Sean Lee after both got hurt against the Eagles, while running back Felix Jones is likely to miss a third consecutive game for the Cowboys due to a high ankle sprain.
Time & Venue:
- 1:00 PM ET, Sunday, November 6, 2011. Cowboys Stadium, Arlington, Texas
Last Week's results:
- Seattle Seahawks (+3) loses to visiting Cincinnati Bengals 34-12.
- Dallas Cowboys (+3.5) loses to host Philadelphia Eagles 34-7.
Last week's ATS:
- Underdog Seattle Seahawks (2-5) loses and does not cover
- Underdog Dallas Cowboys (3-4) loses and does not cover.
NFL Football Odds: Cowboys -12, O/U 44
Next up:
- Seattle home to Baltimore, Sunday, November 13
- Dallas home to Buffalo, Sunday, November 13
Dallas' defense was gashed for 185 yards by LeSean McCoy in a 34-7 loss to the Eagles. As a result, the offense had the ball for less than 18 minutes. Rookie RB DeMarco Murray (eight carries, 74 yards) didn’t get much of a chance to build off the previous week’s record-setting performance.
DeMarcus Ware had a career-high four sacks, but Rob Ryan’s defense was thoroughly man-handled. The unit looked even worse after emerging second-year LB Sean Lee, who leads the team in tackles (73) and interceptions (3), left with a dislocated wrist. Lee could be out for an extended period. The Cowboys will also be without CB Mike Jenkins (hamstring) for three to four weeks.
Seattle’s offense has been putrid, ranking second-to-last in the NFL in both total yards (284 ypg) and rushing (77.7 ypg), as well as 27th in scoring (15.6 ppg). Tarvaris Jackson is expected to start after coming off the bench in the 34-12 loss to Cincinnati. Jackson, however, is still recovering from a torn pectoral muscle. He has a great rapport with WR Sidney Rice, who recorded his second 100-yard game of the season. Seattle’s defense (13th, 340.3 ypg) has been one of the lone bright spots. Undrafted rookie WR Doug Baldwin (25 receptions, 403 yards, 2 TDs) has also been a pleasant surprise.
The loss to Philadelphia was the Cowboys' worst defeat since last season's 45-7 Sunday night beating at the hands of Green Bay, which signaled the end of the Wade Phillips era.
Dallas may be without former Pro Bowl punter Mat McBriar (foot). Rookie K Dan Bailey was forced to punt twice when McBriar left Sunday night's loss. He averaged 39.5 yards.
Seattle is 2-5 on the road against the Cowboys, losing by an average of 27.8 points.
Dallas is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games when playing at home against Seattle
Dallas is 3-6-1 ATS in its last 10 games
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Dallas's last 5 games
Seattle is 1-7 SU in its last 8 games on the road
Seattle is 1-6-1 ATS in its last 8 games on the road
The total has gone OVER in 14 of Seattle's last 18 games
The Cowboys are certainly a better team that what they displayed last week, as evidenced by admirable showings against top-tier opponents such as San Francisco and New England earlier in the season and in the way they buried the depleted Rams two Sundays back.
However, they almost always seem to go through stretches marred by a lack of execution and composure over the course of a game, which is way it's reasonable to expect that this contest won't be the blowout that equates to the disparity in experienced talent between these two opponents. Still, with a mediocre offense and its struggles on the road, Seattle doesn't seem to pose too much of a threat here. Dallas may not put it together for a full 60 minutes, but the overall result should still be good enough to obtain a victory it really needs to have but Seattle stays close.Bet on NFL Football games with Bodog Sportsbook, click here!
NFL Football Pick: Take points and Seahawks.
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charlie whitehurst - cowboys stadium - dallas cowboys - dan bailey - demarco murray - demarcus ware - doug baldwin - felix jones - jason garrett - jerry jones
