Offense
The Cowboys don’t need the run to pass the ball but it would greatly help against the sack leaders of the NFL. Marion Barber might be out with a injured foot. If Barber can’t play, rookie Tashard Choice will start.
Choice had consecutive 1,300 yard seasons at Georgia Tech. Barber will be missed most of all in the pass blocking. Look for the Cowboys to use a lot of two-tight-end sets to help with the Pittsburgh linebackers.
Leonard Davis can match up against Pro-Bowl nose tackle Casey Hampton. If Davis can keep Hampton from taking on double teams, the Cowboys will be able to run the ball.
Jason Witten looks to be an important part of the piece but will go against Troy Polamalu, one of the best safeties in the league. Martellus Bennett has shown Tony Romo that he is a worthy option.
Romo must extend the play just that extra second that he does so well at. Romo has only been sacked eight times on the season. If Romo can avoid the rush, he should see big things downfield.
Owens will definitely get a safety over top, so look for Roy Williams to play a larger role. He should garner single coverage most of the day and has the skill set to take advantage.
Defense
The Cowboys are second in sacks, only two behind Pittsburgh. DeMarcus Ware is expected to play and now leads the NFL with 15 sacks.
The Steelers have struggled with protecting Ben Roethlisberger and it has shown up in his stats. Ben has thrown 12 interceptions to only 13 touchdowns.
The Cowboys will set Ware loose on Ben. Jay Ratliff is having a season year with six sacks. Ben has been sacked 33 times this season; second worst in the league.
Mewelde Moore and Willie Parker will share the load. Parker is fast, but could blow a tire any play. Moore is a shifty runner that can catch the ball. Neither is known for pushing the pile.
The Cowboys have been playing fantastic red-zone defense. Pittsburgh lacks a goal-line back so Ben will probably be asked to punch it in the end zone.
Hines Ward and Santonio Holmes are playing well, but are seeing the ball less and less. The odd statistic is that Ben is being sacked less than he was last year.
If Ben can stay upright long enough the Cowboys are notoriously bad against the long throw. The mere seconds of space between Ware and Roethlisberger could decide the game.
Special Teams
Sam Paulescu has filled in admirably for injured punter Mat McBriar. Paulescu already has more downs in the 20 than McBriar.
Nick Folk has made 15 of his 17 field goal attempt and is a reliable kick from 40 and 50 yards away.
Orlando Scandrick or Isaiah Stanback will fill in as Kickoff returners. Neither one can match the speed that Felix Jones had but do an admirable job. Patrick Crayton will return punts. The most important thing is that none of them have fumbled.
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