Week 9 NFL Picks: Predicting Dallas Cowboys vs. Seattle Seahawks

Tony Romo and the Dallas Cowboys fell hard against the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday.  The 34-7 loss was the biggest margin by which the Cowboys have lost this season.

This was another blow to the Cowboys in a see-saw season.

Hardly anything went right for the Cowboys.  Romo completed only 18-of-35 passes.  Cowboys defensive backs—especially Abram Elam—suffered lapses in coverage.  LeSean McCoy steamrolled the Cowboys, which had entered the game No. 1 in rushing defense.

On the bright side, DeMarcus Ware had one of the biggest games of his career with a career-high four sacks and a forced fumble.

The Cowboys have a chance to climb back to .500 against the Seattle Seahawks.  The Seahawks fell on Sunday to the Cincinnati Bengals 34-12.

This could be a good lift for the Cowboys after a tough divisional match.  An easy game could be just what Romo needs to regain form.

However, the Cowboys shouldn't take the game too lightly.

Several questions must be answered in order for the Cowboys to capitalize on this opportunity. 

Can Ware duplicate his big day from Sunday? 

Will the Cowboys return to stopping the run or have they softened up for the time being? 

How well will Sean Lee play with a cast on his arm? 

Will Romo throw the ball accurately? 

Can the Cowboys secondary hang together? 

Is Dez Bryant primed for a big game? 

What does this game bring for DeMarco Murray?

Tony Romo

24-of-36, 290 yards, 2 TD, 4 rushes, 17 yards

Romo will regain his footing against the Seahawks.  While it would be nice to project Romo to throw for 300 yards, the Seahawks have only allowed one 300-yard passing game.  The Seahawks pass defense isn't terrible, ranking 18th in yards allowed.

Romo will find success in the air.  Romo will pick up his accuracy.  He'll thread passes around the Seahawks defense, nailing receivers on short passes and periodically airing it out.  Romo will toss two touchdown passes.

While Romo has been hit quite a bit this season, he'll find relief on Sunday.  The Seahawks don't bring a terrifying pass rush.  They rank 28th in sacks (13).  This is a relief for Romo, who has been sacked on 5.6 percent of his drop backs.

DeMarco Murray

10 rushes, 115 yards, TD, 2 receptions, 10 yards

Murray will shine again running the ball.  After quieting down a bit on Sunday, Murray is set for another big game.  While the Seahawks rank No. 11 in rushing defense (102.9 yards per game) and first in rushing yards allowed per attempt (3.2), Murray will break away.

Murray will cut around the defense for big gains.  Working the outside, Murray will find open lanes.  At least once, Murray will break into the end zone.

Also, Murray will see some action in the passing game.  Romo will dump the ball to Murray on a couple of pass plays.

Miles Austin

3 receptions, 46 yards, 1 rush, 9 yards

Miles Austin has been quiet in the last few games.  Even after recovering from injury, Austin has been relatively dormant.  Against the Eagles, Austin had only three catches for 27 yards.  That will continue.  Austin will catch only a few passes, including one of substantial yardage.

Austin will see a little action in the running game.  On one play, Austin will take an end around for significant yardage.

Dez Bryant

5 receptions, 100 yards, TD

Bryant has been off and on.  Sunday was a subpar day for him.  Bryant caught only three passes for 27 yards.  Against the Seahawks, Bryant will dash around the poor Seahawks secondary for big catches.  Bryant has caught touchdown passes every other game.  Last Sunday, he didn't catch one.

This Sunday Bryant will preen himself in glory in the end zone after catching another touchdown pass.

Jason Witten

6 receptions, 60 yards, TD

Witten, who leads the Cowboys with 40 receptions, has been a banner of consistency for a wavering receiving corps.  Witten has caught at least four passes in each game this season. 

Against the Seahawks, Witten will continue his methodical march.  Witten will break up the seam and find openings.  Thus, he'll haul in his share of catches.

DeMarcus Ware

5 tackles, 1 tackle for loss, 2 sacks

Ware will have another big day.  Once again, Ware will take advantage of a porous offensive line to wreak havoc on a harried quarterback.  Tavaris Jackson will be unable to escape Ware's rush.  This will be another multi-sack game for Ware. 

Ware will also play a role in the rushing game.  Ware will stop a couple rushes short.

Sean Lee

4 tackles, 1 tackle for loss, 1 interception

Lee will have a strong game despite playing with a cast on his arm.  Patrolling the middle of the field, Lee will be keen on passing plays.  Lee will disrupt passes.  On one play, Lee will jump in for an interception.

In the running game, Lee will be helpful in reestablishing the primacy of the Cowboys rushing defense.  Lee will stay true to his gap.  A couple of times, Lee will sniff out Marshawn Lynch or Leon Washington early in their runs and take them down.

Terence Newman

4 tackles, 1 pass deflection

Terence Newman will be fine against the Seahawks.  Newman looks to have a reasonable matchup against Sidney Rice.  Rice is just starting to put himself together.  Against the Bengals, Rice had seven catches for 102 yards.  Newman may allow Rice to catch a few passes.

However, Newman won't let Rice get out of hand.  Newman will hang with Rice when he tries to dash away.  Also, Newman will tackle Rice soon after catches.

Dan Bailey

2/2 FG, 3/3 XP

Bailey had an unusual day against the Eagles.  Since the Cowboys offense couldn't build steam, Bailey didn't kick for points much, nailing only a point, the least in his infant career.  However, he punted twice for 79 yards since punter Mat McBriar had experienced pains.

That was a different type of initiation for Bailey.

With McBriar insisting he'll be fine for Sunday, Bailey shouldn't have to punt against the Seahawks.  Bailey will return to his normal role.  This will be a good day for Bailey, racking up a good number of points once again.

Prediction

Prediction:  Cowboys 27, Seahawks 14

The Cowboys will roll past the Seahawks to return to .500.  This will be a good bit of success for the Cowboys.  Romo will be back on his game.  He'll make sweet music with Bryant, Witten and probably Laurent Robinson, who has seen a good amount of attention in the multidimensional passing attack this season.  Murray will once again catch observers' attention.

This will be another triumph for the Cowboys defense.  Ware and Anthony Spencer will give Jackson nightmares.  The Cowboys will reassert themselves as a premier run defense, holding the Seahawks to fewer than 50 yards rushing.  Elam shouldn't feel bad about himself after this game since he only has to face Ben Obomanu.

Jason Garrett will feel the pressure loosen.  His talented squad will rise up for another good performance.  Another moment standing at .500 will have the Cowboys right back in the hunt.  Garrett can reassure his players about playoff contention.