Both teams sit on the edge of the playoffs, and both would love this win.
The Cowboys come into this game on a hot streak, three straight since their week off. With Romo back, the smiles are back in Dallas. The problem is that they still don't have a playoff seed, and their next three opponents are a combined 28-8.
The Steelers have won four of five and have been looking very good, that one loss being a close one to the Colts. Their issue is that the Ravens are 8-4 and are only one game behind them, and their next three teams are 27-9!
Truly, both teams need this game to stay alive.
Tony Romo is on fire, with two straight 113 passing rating, 300 plus passing games. He has brought the team back to life and shown that the Cowboys aren't the Cowboys without him.
The Steelers secondary is first in the league, with Polamalu and Harrison leading the way with picks and sacks. They are a deadly threat to quarterbacks. Still, when I see these two giants battling, I know that a giant always wins big. I see a 275-yard game for Romo, but he does throw a interception.
Marion Barber is awful. With 59 yard and 34 yard games, he has been skidding without Felix Jones to back him up. He had a strong start, but he is projected to have a slow end.
The Steelers running defense is also first in the league. It's no coincidence, they are a sack threat and shut down offensive lines. There will be no holes for Barber, he won't get more than 50 yards. He gets 46 yards on 15 attempts, and no touchdowns.
Ben Roethlisberger is having a slow start, with 13 touchdowns and 12 interceptions. He has been averaging around 200 yards per game, but hasn't really had any breakout games. Poor Ben is the only part of the Steelers who isn't feeling the winning spirit.
The Cowboys secondary is solid, giving about 200 yards per game. I feel that Ben might have some luck though, due to Santonio Holmes doing well and Hines Ward exploding also. He gets 250 yards, a few touchdowns and no interceptions.
The Steelers' running game, made up of Parker and Moore, has been the bigger part of this low key offense. Bouncing back after a week game against the Bengals, Parker exploded with 87 yards and a healthy average. Mewelde has more solid games, averaging around 50 yards lately (ignoring the negative-one yard game against San Diego).
The Cowboys' running defense lets under 90 yards per game. That's pretty good folks, and they pride themselves on big stops by players like Ward. Still, I see the combo combining for 120, 80 for Parker and 40 for Moore.
OK people, I pick by my evidence. So here is my reasoning.
The Pick: Pittsburgh: 24, Dallas: 17
The Steelers get the home game, and keep on rolling.
Other Picks around the League
SD:30 OAK:21 Rivers and the Charge get a win.
CHI:24 JAC:20 A close game, I feel it.
MIN: 27 DET:14 Detroit's a train wreck.
GB:28 HOU:21 You think this is a automatic? No way!
12 comments Last one added 7 months ago — Leave a Comment
Jocelyn Gordon 7 months ago
YAY THOMAS (HI!!)
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thomas moreland 7 months ago
hey i had a sub par week for me last week 9-7 lol thats the worst week out of 6, we are the same on all picks except i m takimg dallas. call me crazy but i ve got a funny feeling on that one. and i ve got new orlens not to roll over and die at home. we agree on all other picks . that s scary! lol thomas dallas wants this one more. steelers will beat baltimore again , ravens might get a wild card along with indy! we shall see. go gators! on saturday! thomas
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Thomas H. 7 months ago
Last week I believe I had a 11-5? Beat ya! No, Cowboys will not win this, they dont play as a team. New Orleans might win tho, who knows? Go Eagles on Saturday!!!
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Angel Navedo 7 months ago
Your Game of the Week choice for last week was spot on. And I'm with you on this one.
As a closet Steelers' fan, I know that Steelers' defense should've made everyone a believer right now. I'm with you... definitely. And I'm still not a believer in Ware. I honestly think the guy is average this season. He jumped up in stock after killing the Seahawks O-Line...
but it was the Seahawks.
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Thomas H. 7 months ago
Thanks, Angel. The Steelers defense is incredibly underrated and its about time people are starting to realize! Thanks again.
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daniel cox 7 months ago
thomas, i think you've done a nice job here.
there are a handful of games that i think are critical this week, but certainly the dallas-pittsburgh one is way high on the list.
it's important in that it has playoff implications, but the steelers are a tough, tough team. and i think dallas, while talented, is a bit soft. i think pittsburgh mandhandles this team.
you're right about the atlanta-new orleans game being huge. it's big for the falcons.
the monday nighter is going to be a classic. it has a lot of implications in the nfc south, especially if the falcons win.
that miami-buffalo game is important too. a littele under the radar. buffalo will look to bounce back and the dolphins are in the thick of things.
your breakdown of the game is sound and you should be proud of your effort. i appreciate you throwing in the extra picks as well.
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Thomas H. 7 months ago
Thanks Daniel!
I just have trouble picking the Bills, they haven't been solid lately. I really believe in the Falcons, because that game is huge.
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thomas moreland 7 months ago
new orleans lost some players due to suspension bannes substances deal i ve got hotlanta too now. i m gonna kick my self later but ive switched up to the steelers at home! we are the same in picks this week. y all sold me make it happen! lol thomas
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Thomas H. 7 months ago
Ha! That is pretty funny, I didn't know my picks were so good.
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Michael Phillips 7 months ago
not a believer in ware... haha... the dude leads the league in sacks... how stupid do u sound.
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thomas moreland 7 months ago
the steeler defense is not underarted thomas they lead in almost all categories! who s underrating them?? The dallas homers will continue to speak up though! The offensive line for the steelers need to play smashmouth and run run run to set up Big Ben to have a good day with playaction and especially to buy him some time, freezing those linebackers for a second or 2. TUrn overs will probably tell the tale, if the steelers can get a plus 2 out of the day, all is well in Steelertown! thomas
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Thomas H. 7 months ago
I meant that people around the league overlook them and don't always see them as a powerhouse. I really don't think it will be the turnovers, it will be the big stops the Steelers can make on the Dallas offense and when they make it.
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