The Dallas Cowboys will face the Seattle Seahawks Sunday afternoon. Both teams come into this game 8-6 and need a win to remain in the playoff hunt. Coming into the season this matchup could have been viewed as a possible NFC championship game or at least a playoff game. While that is not the case, this week’s matchup might as well be a playoff game.
The Legion of whom?
This year has been brutal in terms of injuries for the Seahawks. They have lost Richard Sherman (Achilles), Kam Chancellor (neck) and pro bowl pass rusher Cliff Avril (neck). Bobby Wagner is playing through a hamstring injury that he says has been bothering him since a home loss to the Washington Redskins on November 5th. K.J. Wright returned to practice this week after missing last week’s game due to being in concussion protocol.
The vaunted Seahawks defense is hardly that anymore. The Seahawks have lost back to back games to Jacksonville and Los Angeles Rams. They have given up 400 combined rushing yards the last two weeks, including 244 yards and three touchdowns to Todd Gurley last week.
THE RETURN OF EZEKIEL ELLIOTT
It has been a long six games since we last saw Ezekiel Elliott on the field. Elliott spent all six weeks in Cabo working out and keeping himself in shape for this day. The Cowboys were able to win the last three games without to keep themselves in position to try to sneak in the playoffs. Look for Elliott to get 20-25 carries.
KEYS TO VICTORY
Containing Russell Wilson
Russell Wilson has an unbelievable ability to keep plays alive when there appears to be nothing there. It is going to be crucial for the Cowboys young defense to remain disciplined and to play until the whistle. Wilson has the highest passer rating and the most touchdowns in the fourth quarter this season by any quarterbacks. Wilson comes into this game 331 yards shy of a third consecutive 4000 yard season; no other Seahawks quarterback has ever done that.
Play well under pressure
I mean a couple things with this. For the team as whole, they’ve already played three playoff games because any loss at this point will eliminate them. This team can’t take their foot off the gas with the return of Elliott.
For Dak, Seattle might not have all their guys in the secondary or healthy linebackers, but this team still has Michael Bennett, Sheldon Richardson and Frank Clark up front that can get after the quarterback.
Use your eyes
Earl Thomas is arguably the best safety in football. As a quarterback, you have to be very discipline and not let your eyes take him to where you are going with the football. He is good enough already that he will make a lot of plays with that assistance.
PREDICTION
The Cowboys win this game 31-24. The return of Zeke lifts the Cowboys to 9-6 and eliminates the Seahawks from playoff contention. In his return, Elliott rushes 25 times for 145 yards and two touchdowns.
OTHER GAMES TO WATCH SUNDAY
As we know, sitting at 8-6 the playoffs are still a possibility but the Cowboys are going to need a lot of help these next couple weeks.
Need the Cincinnati Bengals to defeat the Detroit Lions. (12 pm CST)
Need the Tampa Bay Buccaneers to defeat the Carolina Panthers. (12 pm CST)
Need the New Orleans Saints to defeat the Atlanta Falcons. (12 pm CST)
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