Week 8: Seattle Seahawks Vs. Dallas Cowboys

The Cowboys will try to continue their winning streak in Dallas as the Seattle Seahawks come to town.

The Seahawks (2-4) sit in third place in the NFC West and bring a banged up team into Dallas.

The Seahawks will be without linebacker Lofa Tatupu (pectoral) and offensive lineman Walter Jones (Knee) as they have been put on injured reserve by the team. QB Matt Hasselbeck also hasn't practiced this week because of a rib injury but Coach Jim Mora said that Hasselbeck will play on Sunday.

Hasselbeck is having a good season when he's been able to stay on the field. He's 65-113 for 729 yards with seven touchdowns and three interceptions. The Seahawks are 18th in passing with receiver Nate Burleson leading the way in receptions (38) yards (398) and TD's (3). #2 receiver TJ Houshmandzadeh is having a good first year with the Seahawks with 31 receptions for 359 yards and two TD's.

Former Cowboy Julius Jones will look to get some revenge on the team that wouldn't resign him two years ago. However the Seahawks are 28th in rushing yards per game so it will be an uphill battle for Jones with the Cowboys' stout run defense and the Seahawks missing two starters on their offensive line.

This season Jones has 74 carries for 290 yards and one TD. Last year Jones was non-existent against the 'Boys carrying the ball 11 times for just 37 yards. Edgerrin James and Justin Forsett complete the Seahawks running game but they have just 211 yards on 58 carries and no TD's. The Seahawks as a team have just two rushing TD's and one is by backup QB Seneca Wallace.

The Seahawks defense is the strength of their team. They shut out their opponents in both of their wins. (granted they were against the Rams and Jaguars, but I have to give them something) Rookie Aaron Curry leads the team in tackles with 37 and is second on the team in sacks with two. Patrick Kearney leads the team in sacks with four, but is questionable for Sunday's game. The Seahawks are tied for 8th in the NFL with 16.

The Seahawks blitz a lot and don't give up many yards. They're in the top 16 in both rushing (99.3) and passing yards (220.3) against per game. Safety Ken Lucas leads a Seahawks secondary that includes 10-year veteran Deon Grant. The Seahawks are a good coverage team but don't create many turnovers, they have just three interceptions and five fumble recoveries on the year.

The Cowboys are still riding high from their first signature win of the season against the Falcons last week. However they need to stay focused because this has trap game written all over it. 

Tony Romo had his second 300-yard passing game in a row last week. On the season Romo is 117-194 for 1652 with nine TD's and four interceptions. Romo will need to use his elusiveness to keep the Seattle front seven off him and to get the ball out to his receivers as the Seahawks are good at getting to the QB.

Miles Austin will once again be targeted a lot by Romo. In just two weeks Austin has become the Cowboys leading receiver in yards (502), yards per catch (23.9) and TD's (5) The Cowboys #1 receiver Roy Williams needs to step up, this could be a big game for him and Patrick Crayton is back in his element as the third receiver.

Tight ends Jason Witten and Martellus Bennett were a big part of the passing game last week combining for eight catches and 85 yards.

The Cowboys running game wasn't at its best last week but still productive. Felix Jones proved that he's 100% as he carried the ball eight times for 37 yards and will resume his kickoff return duties this week as well. Marion Barber got the bulk of the work carrying the ball 14 times for 47 yards and showed his toughness playing with a broken thumb.

The Seahawks have a good run defense but the Cowboys rarely get away from their running game, instead letting it take it's time to develop so expect the Cowboys to feed Jones and Barber a lot.

The Cowboys defense will be very aggressive with two of the Seahawks starting linemen out. Linebacker DeMarcus Ware will be lined up against Damion Macintosh, a ten year veteran who was signed two weeks ago by the Seahawks. That should be an advantage for the Cowboys and knowing Wade Phillips, the Cowboys front seven will be very aggressive in this game. 

The Cowboys secondary was dominant last week against the Falcons and will try for a second week in a row. Terence Newman, Mike Jenkins and Orlando Scandrick all made plays in last week's game.

Jenkins and Scandrick had one interception each and Jenkins had a huge hit on Falcons receiver Marty Booker in the fourth quarter, on the very next play Newman blew up receiver Roddy White after he caught a pass and forced him to fumble. They also held tight end Tony Gonzalez to 37 yards on four catches.

This week they have their work cut out for them with Houshmandzadeh being a deep threat and Burleson known as a great route runner, however if the Cowboys can get pressure they should be able to intercept a ball or two like they did last week.

The Cowboys should win this game as they've been able to beat second tier teams. Romo may get hit once or twice but he'll have another good game and If the Cowboys can cut down on their penalties they should have control of this game by the third quarter. It won't be a blowout but the Cowboys will keep the lead large enough to put it away early in the fourth. 35-20.