The teams that Seattle struggles against are the ones that are excellent at stopping the run (ie. Buffalo). The Cowboys' run defense is decent but not great, and it is an undersized group that will wear down once Alexander gets enough carries. As a result, the Cowboys should hang around for two or three quarters but eventually will wilt against a running attack that will be relentless. Once Seattle can force Testaverde into throw-from-behind mode, that's when the sacks and turnovers will start to add up.
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Misc Write-ups..............
Dallas (4-7) at Seattle (6-5),
Monday, 9:00 (Seattle -7)
Another team with largely undeserved life in the playoff picture, namely the Dallas Cowboys, can pull itself further out of the abyss with a win in Seattle on Monday night. Dallas, which gutted out a 21-7 win over the Bears on Thanksgiving, will be in search of its first victory over a decent team in 2004 (Cleveland, Detroit, and Washington are the others). Bill Parcells' squad didn't play well in a 21-7 win over Chicago on Thanksgiving, but received several positive signs. The first was the play of rookie running back Julius Jones (150 yards, 2 TD), who had a breakout game, and another was the effort of a defense that allowed 140 total yards and forced four turnovers. Quarterback Vinny Testaverde (9-14 passing, 92 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT), who relieved ineffective rookie Drew Henson (4-12, 31 yards, 1 INT) in the second half of last week's victory, will get the start for Dallas. Testaverde will oppose Seattle's Matt Hasselbeck (19-38 passing, 185 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT, 1 fumble), who was booed by his home fans in a 38-9 loss to the Bills last week. Hasselbeck and running back Shaun Alexander (13 carries, 39 yards) both played poorly in defeat, and an up-and-down defense intercepted three Drew Bledsoe passes but allowed Willis McGahee to rush for 116 yards and four touchdowns. Seattle figures to be determined for a win after last Sunday's debacle, especially on a Monday night, and will knock out a Dallas team still lacking the requisite talent to contend in the NFC.
Seahawks 26, Cowboys 16.
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Cowboys at Seahawks
Time: Monday, 9 p.m. at Seattle, Wash.
Records: Cowboys (4-7); Seahawks (6-5)
The skinny Now you know why the networks want to be able to reschedule their prime-time games during the season? Dallas has made more national TV appearances than John Kerry, primarily because the Cowboys were 10-6 and one of the surprise teams in the league last season. But the only team they're capable of beating this season is Chicago, only because the Bears are so desperate for quarterback help they have to resort to signing Jeff George. At the start of the season, Seattle was 3-0 and looking like a Super Bowl team. After getting hammered at home last week by the Bills, the only positive thing to say about the Seahawks is that they are fortunate to play in the NFC West.
Prediction: Seahawks, 30-17
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Dallas Cowboys (4-7) at Seattle Seahawks (6-5)
Line: Cowboys +7
Let me start by saying the Seahawks will win this game 24-14. Even though the Seahawks will win the West and make the playoffs I think Mike Holmgren is on the way out in Seattle. This team is capable of being one of the elite clubs in football and right now they are holding on for dear life as the Rams and cardinals are right on their tails for the NFC West.
Straight: Seahawks
Spread: Seahawks
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Cowboys (+7) over SEAHAWKS
Vinny Testaverde returns to the Dallas (4-7) starting lineup this week. The fact that he will play and Drew Hansen will sit tells you that Bill Parcells may not be in this for the long haul. The Seahawks (6-5) might be the biggest tease in the NFL. Just when you think they?re back on track? wham! Then they lose a stinker like last week?s 38-9 fiasco. They can?t spot a TD to even the Clownboys.
Take Dallas and the points.
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