Dolphins vs. Cowboys: 3 Dallas Players Who Need to Step Up on Thanksgiving

For the Dallas Cowboys to continue their winning ways on Thanksgiving three players will need to step up and provide a big boost against the red-hot Miami Dolphins.

The Cowboys are 6-4 and have won three straight games, but they will be without top wide receiver Miles Austin. Against a 3-7 Dolphins team that has ripped off three big wins in a row, two offensive players will need to step up for Dallas Thursday afternoon, while their biggest defensive stud will need to come to play.

Rookie running back DeMarco Murray has been on fire since October 23. The Oklahoma product leads the NFL in rushing since that date with a ridiculous 674 yards on the ground and two touchdowns in those five games. He also boasts 17 catches for 113 yards over that time as well.

Unfortunately for Murray, the Dolphins have allowed an average of just 72.7 yards rushing over the past three games and they haven't surrendered a touchdown in 12 quarters. If the Cowboys want to come away with a win today they'll need Murray to find a way to pick up yards on the ground.

We all know Tony Romo has a tendency to force things in big games. To help with that on Thanksgiving, Laurent Robinson will be a key factor. Robinson steps in for the injured Austin and will need to be a factor, since the Dolphins will be focused on shutting down Dez Bryant at receiver. Robinson has four receiving touchdowns over the past three games so it's clear that Romo trusts him. If he has a good game on Thursday it will go a long way towards helping the Cowboys secure a victory.

DeMarcus Ware has long been considered one of the best defensive players in the NFL and that reputation has not suffered at all this year. Through 10 games the Troy product has 14 sacks. Today against the Dolphins he needs to torment quarterback Matt Moore.

Moore has six touchdown passes against just one interception and a 118.6 quarterback rating during Miami's three-game winning streak. If Ware can make Moore uncomfortable Miami will have almost no chance at victory.