Seahawks at Cowboys
THE STORY: The last time the Dallas Cowboys were embarrassed on Sunday Night Football, their coach ended up getting fired. Jason Garrett’s job isn’t in jeopardy, but the Cowboys’ playoff hopes could be with another poor performance. After running into a buzz saw in Philadelphia, Garrett’s Cowboys will try to pick up the pieces at home Sunday against the struggling Seattle Seahawks. The Cowboys have won three of the last four meetings. Seattle, meanwhile, has lost nine of its last 12 regular-season road games.
TV: FOX, 1 p.m. ET. LINE: Cowboys -11.5, O/U 44
ABOUT THE COWBOYS (3-4): Dallas' previously top-ranked rushing defense was gashed for 185 yards by LeSean McCoy in a 34-7 loss to the Eagles. As a result, the offense had the ball for less than 18 minutes. Rookie RB DeMarco Murray (eight carries, 74 yards) didn’t get much of a chance to build off the previous week’s record-setting performance. DeMarcus Ware had a career-high four sacks, but Rob Ryan’s defense was thoroughly man-handled. The unit looked even worse after emerging second-year LB Sean Lee, who leads the team in tackles (73) and interceptions (3), left with a dislocated wrist. Lee could be out for an extended period. The Cowboys will also be without CB Mike Jenkins (hamstring) for three to four weeks.
ABOUT THE SEAHAWKS (2-5): Seattle’s offense has been putrid, ranking second-to-last in the NFL in both total yards (284 ypg) and rushing (77.7 ypg), as well as 27th in scoring (15.6 ppg). Tarvaris Jackson is expected to start after coming off the bench and throwing for a career-high 323 yards in the 34-12 loss to Cincinnati. Jackson, however, is still recovering from a torn pectoral muscle. He has a great rapport with WR Sidney Rice, who recorded his second 100-yard game of the season. Seattle’s defense (13th, 340.3 ypg) has been one of the lone bright spots. Undrafted rookie WR Doug Baldwin (25 receptions, 403 yards, 2 TDs) has also been a pleasant surprise.
EXTRA POINTS:
1. The loss to Philadelphia was the Cowboys’ worst defeat since last season’s 45-7 Sunday night beating at the hands of Green Bay, which signaled the end of the Wade Phillips era.
2. Dallas may be without former Pro Bowl punter Mat McBriar (foot). Rookie K Dan Bailey was forced to punt twice when McBriar left Sunday night’s loss. He averaged 39.5 yards.
3. Seattle is 2-5 on the road against the Cowboys, losing by an average of 27.8 points.