NFC Wild Card: Dallas Cowboys vs Seattle Seahawks

Both teams finished off their season in less then expected fashion. The Seahawks struggled with injuries to their main offensive players this season. Even when both Hasselbeck and Alexander were back in the line up, they still did not click consistently causing them to lose three of the last four games.

What seems worse for the Seahawks is their disastrous home record this season in comparison to last season’s record when they went 10-0-0 including playoff games at home. Seattle was 5-3 at home and lost its last 2 home games while Matt Hasselbeck continued to look inconsistent and out of form only being able to snap a three game losing streak to a terrible Tampa Bay Buccaneer team.

Seattle has the guns to repeat a Super Bowl trip. If they can get Shaun Alexander’s running game going early against a tough Dallas rushing defense, it will set up the passing game. Hasselbeck will need to step up his game and pass more effectively against Dallas. The The Seahawks passing attack is currently in question though since star receiver Darell Jackson is suffering from turf toe and Deion Branch limped off the field against Tampa Bay last Sunday. Jackson did not train with the team on Thursday but did practice behind closed doors in an effort to avoid speculation from the press. We expect Jackson play and even with the toe injury, he is a lethal weapon to have come into this very important game.

In the meantime Bill Parcells has been scratching his head in Dallas. The Cowboys have been struggling lately. Tony Romo’s fabulous start fizzled out towards the end of the season. Dallas went 4-1 with Romo in his first five starts, completing 71.2 percent of his passes for 1,394 yards, 10 touchdowns and two interceptions. Romo’s last five games have been a complete letdown for him on the field but apparently not off the field. He was romantically linked to Jessica Simpson and then it finally came out that he was indeed dating American Idol Season 5 winner Carrie Underwood. During the second part of the season he completed 60.5 percent for 1,247 yards, six touchdowns and eight interceptions while leading Dallas to just two wins. Romo lost two fumbles, threw an interception and was sacked a season high four times against the Detroit Lions in the final game of the season last Sunday which cost the team the NFC East Title. It’s not all Romo’s fault though, other players have not stepped up when Romo has delivered them the ball. The most ovious is Terrell Owens. Owens lead the league in dropped passes, dropping several in the loss to the Eagles on Christmas Day.

If Romo can get the passing game on track, he has a chance to take advantage of a depleted Seahawks secondary. Seattle lost starting cornerback Kelly Herndon (broken ankle) and backup Jimmy Williams (knee) who both suffered season ending injuries against Tampa. They also played without starting cornerback Marcus Trufant with a high ankle sprain and it's unlikely he will be able to return Saturday. That leaves rookie Kelly Jennings and former safety Jordan Babineaux as the starting corners for a Seattle team which allowed only 903 passing yards in its last five games.

Dallas needs to get the running game started early to set up the passing attack. Julius Jones will get the ball early and should not have too much trouble. Jones finished the regular season with 1,084 rushing yards for his first 1,000-yard season but had only 91 yards and no touchdowns in 33 attempts over his last three games.

Dallas has done better on the road and if they click correctly, they should be able to keep it close to against an injuried Seattle Seahawks team. I don't think Seattle can cover the spread if they do pull out the win. Dallas +3 is my bet and under 46½ since I don’t see any blowouts or shoot outs here. This will be a game of field position as both teams look to establish the run early to set up their passing attacks.