OFFICIAL GDT - COWBOYS vs SEAHAWKS!!!

[Underdog]

Seahawks vs. Cowboys
Must Push This Winning Streak To Three Straight

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GAME SET WHAT: Seattle Seahawks (2-9) vs. Dallas Cowboys (7-4)
WHEN: Thursday, 3:15 p.m. (CST)
WHERE: Texas Stadium, Irving, Texas
TELEVISION: Fox (Joe Buck, Troy Aikman and Pam Oliver)

BIG ISSUE: This is a short week for the Cowboys, but playing on Thanksgiving is something the club has been used to for quite some time. When the Seattle Seahawks roll into town on Thursday, the Cowboys will have two things in mind: Win the game and get out as healthy as they entered the game. A win would give them an 8-4 record before a tough final four-game stretch against Pittsburgh (8-3), the New York Giants (10-1), Baltimore (7-4), and Philadelphia (5-5-1). After the game, the Cowboys will have 10 days before playing the Steelers at Heinz Field, but they know a win must come first.

This isn't how Seahawks head coach Mike Holmgren envisioned his final season in Seattle going. The Seahawks are in third in the NFC West, only ahead of St. Louis, also at 2-9 but who lost to Seattle earlier in the season. A large factor in the Seahawks' demise - they've made the playoffs for the last five seasons - has been an unfortunate string of injuries to key offensive personnel, including quarterback Matt Hasselbeck and almost every single one of their wide receivers at some point in time. Luckily, despite Holmgren's lame duck status, the Seahawks don't have to start an early search for his replacement; assistant coach Jim Mora Jr. has already been tabbed as his successor, although his name seems to be popping up for the vacant University of Washington job, too. But they would like to give Mora something to work with next year, and that means getting on track over the last five games of the season.

NUMBERS, PLEASE: Pop quiz: based on yards-per-carry average, who is the Cowboys most efficient running back? If you guessed rookie Tashard Choice, you're right. Choice holds a 4.7 average per carry (compared to Barber's 3.9 average), gaining 90 yards but on only 19 carries. With a short week, the Cowboys may give Choice more work in order to preserve Barber, and judging by his average, there won't be much of a drop off in production. The Seahawks may be 2-9, but they're better than their record suggests. Four of their nine losses have been by less than one score - they lost by three to San Francisco, by two to Miami, by six to Arizona and by three last week to Washington. If the Seahawks had pulled those games out, they'd be sitting at 6-5 and atop the NFC West since Arizona would then have six wins instead of seven and Seattle would hold the head-to-head tiebreaker.

ONE-ON-ONE: The Seahawks passing game hasn't been the most productive compared to recent years, but rookie tight end John Carlson, out of Notre Dame, has been as consistent as it's been this season in Seattle, leading the team in catches (32), receiving yards (351) and touchdowns (3). With Seattle likely to target Carlson often, the Cowboys will probably opt to cover him with a safety rather than a linebacker, and that will most likely be strong safety Keith Davis in their standard defense. Davis is more of a hard-hitting run stopper than a coverage safety, although he did show off his clutch man-coverage skills earlier this year against the Bengals when he broke up a fade pass in the end zone to Bengals tight end Ben Utecht that prevented a two-point conversion. Courtney Brown also will draw some tight-end coverage on the team's sub-packages since safety Pat Watkins is once again bothered by that bulging disk in his neck.

For some reason, despite every single one of the Cowboys' opponents since Green Bay in Week 3 proving the method, last week the 49ers decided not to jam Cowboys wide receiver Terrell Owens at the line of scrimmage with safety help over the top. Instead, they played off on Owens, and he torched them for 213 yards and a touchdown. Don't expect the Seahawks to make the same mistake. Seahawks cornerback Marcus Trufant, a Pro Bowler last season, will throw every inch of his 5-11, 197 pound frame into Owens within the allowed five yards past the line of scrimmage, knowing that since he has help over the top he won't need to worry about getting beat deep. Whether Owens can beat that jam, or whether other Cowboys receiving threats - wide receiver Roy Williams and tight end Jason Witten - can step up and draw coverage away from Owens, remains to be seen.

SUPPORTING ROLE: Cowboys starting left guard Kyle Kosier just can't seem to stay healthy. He returned from a hairline fracture in his foot in the Week 3 win over the Packers, but then was shelved again after re-injuring his foot. He returned to the starting lineup after the bye against the Redskins, and this time made it two games before leaving during the second half in Sunday's game with San Francisco, again with a foot injury. Each time the Cowboys turned to Cory Procter to fill the void, but on Thursday that may change. The Cowboys finally seem ready to give guard Montrae Holland, acquired during the preseason from Denver, a chance in the starting lineup. Holland is built more like the prototypical Cowboys lineman at 6-2, 322 pounds, and has more starting experience than Procter, having started 46 games during his five previous NFL seasons. Holland did receive almost a series a game during the period when Kosier was out, but now that he's more comfortable with the playbook, the Cowboys will see if he can provide more pop than Procter did.

The Seahawks may be 2-9, but this is the most important game of the season for running back Julius Jones. Jones, who signed with Seattle in the off-season, will make his return to Texas Stadium after being drafted and spending the first four seasons of his career with the Cowboys. This time, though, the 2004 second-round pick will be in a different uniform and in a different locker room. Jones, who never really received an offer from the Cowboys to remain in Dallas and continue sharing carries with Marion Barber, went to the Seahawks thinking he'd be the guy, but this past game Holmgren decided to start Maurice Morris, who ran for 103 yards Sunday against the Redskins. However, Holmgren has said Jones will start against the Cowboys, likely hoping that the running back will have a little extra motivation to play well against his old team.

HEADSET GAMES: This game has the potential to be a breakout performance for some of the Cowboys' recently quiet offensive players. Last week against the 49ers, Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo didn't have to look anywhere else but at Owens, but if the Seahawks try jamming Owens at the line of scrimmage, other opportunities are likely to open up for Witten and Williams. Neither has been overly productive in the past few games, Witten likely because of his rib injury and Williams due to having to deal with his third Cowboys quarterback since he arrived. And with Romo's pinky finger healing more every week, the amount of wobbly passes coming out of his hands will decrease greatly, enhancing the productivity of the Cowboys' offense.

The Seahawks know the key to winning this game is not living and dying by the run, but by protecting Hasselbeck, who until two weeks ago against Arizona had missed five consecutive games with a back injury. Hasselbeck is the only proven offensive weapon the Seahawks have, so in order to stay in the game he needs to be kept upright. Seattle is middle-of-the-pack when it comes to pass protection, having given up 24 sacks so far this season, but the Cowboys excel at rushing the passer, and if Hasselbeck doesn't have any time to find an open receiver, he'll either wind up on his back a lot, make poor throwing choices or end up going three-and-out. The Cowboys would be happy with any of those scenarios.

HEALTH WATCH:

Cowboys
The Cowboys already know they will be without three players for sure, listing starting left guard Kyle Kosier (foot, again), wide receiver Miles Austin (knee) and cornerback Mike Jenkins (hamstring) out for this game - and Kosier likely is done for the season with foot surgery a very real possibility. Safety Pat Watkins suffered another stinger late in the Washington game, and he is being listed as questionable for Thursday's contest, although Cowboys head coach Wade Phillips didn't seem too encouraged about his availability. That is why the Cowboys signed first-year free agent Tra Battle off the San Diego practice squad on Wednesday, and Phillips said he could participate on special teams if Watkins doesn't play. The Cowboys made room for Battle by finally placing rookie Felix Jones (toe surgery) on injured reserve. The Cowboys listed two other players who have been practicing on a limited basis this short week as questionable, tight end Martellus Bennett (ankle) and linebacker/special-teamer Justin Rogers (back). Being listed as probable are cornerback Terence Newman (groin), quarterback Tony Romo (finger), wide receiver Isaiah Stanback (shoulder) and tight end Jason Witten (ribs).

Seahawks
The Seahawks know for sure they will be without their starting left guard too, Mike Wahle already ruled out with a shoulder injury. On top of that, starting center Chris Spencer is no better than questionable with a back injury and he failed to participate in the team's two practices this short week. Also questionable is defensive tackle Red Bryant (ankle). Being listed as doubtful is backup safety C.J. Wallace (hamstring), who failed to practice these past two days. Probable are quarterback Matt Hasselback (back) and wide receiver Koren Robinson (knee).

[Underdog]

Here Are The Seattle Seahawks

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IRVING, Texas - The Seattle Seahawks are 2-9, having lost seven of their last eight games, and, barring a miracle winning streak, have no chance this season of returning to the playoffs, where they have been for the past five seasons. Yet, as evidenced by their performance against the Washington Redskins this past Sunday, Seattle can be a very difficult team - especially when healthy. Still, this is a struggling NFC West squad the Cowboys must beat at 3:15 p.m. (CST) on Thanksgiving Day at Texas Stadium if they have any hopes of continuing a second-half run into the playoffs themselves.

What's Up?
Even though the Seahawks only own two wins against the 3-8 San Francisco 49ers and the 2-9 St. Louis Rams, their three-point home loss to the Redskins this past Sunday had to raise some eyebrows in the Cowboys' locker room. Seattle was tied with Washington late in the fourth quarter and even had a chance to engineer a game-winning drive, but a Matt Hasselbeck interception ruined a comeback opportunity. The Seahawks ran for 139 yards and held Redskins quarterback Jason Campbell to just 206 passing yards in the 20-17 defeat. Despite its efforts, Seattle has still dropped its last four games and will head into Texas Stadium with only one road win this season.

While a 35-22 victory against the San Francisco 49ers this past Sunday gave the Cowboys their seventh win of the season, it didn't come at a discounted price. In the Texas Stadium rout, Cowboys left guard Kyle Kosier (foot), cornerback Mike Jenkins (hamstring) and safety Pat Watkins (neck) all suffered injuries that might keep them out of this Thursday's matchup. Pair those injuries with Felix Jones' toe and Miles Austin's knee, along with Terence Newman's groin and Tony Romo's pinkie causing them to play at less than 100 percent, and the Cowboys certainly won't be playing with a full deck of cards on Thanksgiving. The team has pulled out a victory in three of its last four games, though, and has won its last two Turkey Day matchups by an average margin of 29.5 points.

Statistical View

* The Cowboys are 25-14-1 all-time on Thanksgiving and are 1-1 when playing the Seahawks on the holiday. In the past four seasons, the Cowboys have compiled a 4-1 record when playing on Thursdays.

* The NFC West's third-place Seahawks rank 25th or worse in the NFL in seven major statistical categories. They are the worst team in the league at possessing the ball, averaging just 25:30, and rank second-to-last in total yards per game with 251.5.

* For a while, it looked as if all Seahawks running back Julius Jones needed for success was a change of scenery. But after picking up 312 yards on 61 carries in Seattle's first three games, the former Cowboy has only compiled 316 yards on 80 carries in his last eight outings. Jones averaged just 3.9 yards per carry in his four-season stint with the Cowboys (2004-07).

* Even though Miles Austin and Felix Jones weren't listed as starters on this Cowboys squad when they were healthy, the impact the two had on the Cowboys kick return unit cannot be overlooked. In 32 returns, the two compiled 789 yards and averaged nearly 25 yards per return. Their replacements, cornerback Orlando Scandrick and receiver Isaiah Stanback, are averaging just 17.8 yards on their 11 attempts.

Chalk Talk
While a lot of the Seahawks passing woes stem from starting quarterback Matt Hasselbeck's back injury, the team has still struggled to put the ball in the air even with his return. In the two games Hasselbeck has been back in the starting lineup, he's thrown for only 273 yards. To make matters worse, the three-time Pro Bowler has even thrown five interceptions, fumbled the ball once and has been sacked four times in those two games. Seattle ranks second-to-last in the NFL in passing yards per game, averaging an abysmal 140.4 yards, and in the six games Hasselbeck has started this season, he has failed to throw for more than 190 yards.

That's good news for a Cowboys secondary which has struggled at times this season. San Francisco quarterback Shaun Hill recorded his first-career 300-yard passing game against the Cowboys this past Sunday, and Dallas' defensive backs have only been responsible for four interceptions this season. Still, the Cowboys do rank 11th in the league allowing 196.2 passing yards per game, and should be able to have a big day against the struggling Hasselbeck.

Unlike Hasselbeck, Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo has had an immediate impact on the offense in his return from injury. In the two games he's played since suffering the pinkie fracture, Romo has amassed 539 passing yards and four touchdowns. Against the Seahawks this Thursday, Romo should continue that trend. Seattle is giving up 259.2 yards through the air - second-worst in the NFL - and has recorded only five interceptions.

Despite their struggles to stop the pass, the Seahawks are surprisingly good at rushing the passer. Through 11 games, Seattle has compiled 26 sacks, the ninth most in the NFL. Linebacker Julian Peterson and defensive end Patrick Kearney share the team lead with five sacks apiece, but will have to get by a Cowboys offensive line that has allowed just eight sacks in the eight games Romo has started this season.

Connections
Seahawks running back Julius Jones is a former second-round pick of the Cowboys in 2004 ... Cowboys Pro Bowl safety Ken Hamlin recorded eight interceptions and four sacks in Seattle from 2003-06 ... One of the most underrated players in the NFL, Seahawks long-snapper Jeff Robinson consistently spiraled snaps to Cowboys punters from 2002-04 ... Seattle special teams coordinator Bruce DeHaven coached the Cowboys special teams in 2003-06 ... Seahawks offensive line coach Mike Solari was on the Cowboys coaching staff way back in 1987-88 ... Cowboys offensive line coach Hudson Houck made his second career coaching stop in the pros with Seattle in 1992.

Miscellaneous
The combined record of the Cowboys' four opponents following the Seahawks is 30-13-1 . . . In the six years Fox Network has handed out the Galloping Gobbler award to the Thanksgiving Day MVP, three Cowboys (Emmitt Smith, Julius Jones and Tony Romo) have won it . . . The NFC West has a combined record of 14-30, yet the Cowboys are 1-2 in games against that division . . . A Cowboys win secures at least a .500 record for the 34th time in club history . . . Cowboys left tackle Flozell Adams has blocked three kicks (two field goals and one extra point) in Thanksgiving Day games . . . Cowboys receiver Terrell Owens needs just 112 yards to pass Chris Carter for the sixth-most receiving yards in NFL history.

[alby]

Go Cowboys

[Kirobaito]

A nice 9:00 game. Now, time to make my flatmates a Thanksgiving dinner so we can sit down and watch the game in peace.

[dude1394]

Just saw a promo for Ahmad Hall of the Titans. Wow...what a great american story. Way to start this giving of thanks day right.

[Underdog]

[Underdog]

I have a feeling the Cowboys/Seahawks game is going to be another snoozer like the Titans/Lions game...

[horse900703]

haha, easy game! Go Cowboys

[chumdawg]

Originally Posted by Underdog

I have a feeling the Cowboys/Seahawks game is going to be another snoozer like the Titans/Lions game...

I hope so!

It's time to rip the hearts out of these ungodly fools from the Pacific Northwest and assert our true dominance over the entire NFC!

[LonghornDub]

Well that was easy. I really do hate having to cheer for Bennett, though. I absolutely despise that guy.

[sike]

Bennett certainly has a nose for the endzone...

[nikeball]

thanks julius! but you dont play for us anymore

[nikeball]

Originally Posted by LonghornDub

Well that was easy. I really do hate having to cheer for Bennett, though. I absolutely despise that guy.

We should've drafted Jermichael

[sike]

Feed MB3!!!

[sike]

Originally Posted by sike

Feed MB3!!!

Indeed.

[sike]

How genius is Romo?

[alby]

damnit. we are going to blow them out and rest the starters early =[

[nikeball]

^They were moving the ball on us pretty well the first drive...until Julius helped us out.

[sike]

Originally Posted by alby

damnit. we are going to blow them out and rest the starters early =[

if we're lucky...

[Underdog]

WARE!!!!!!!!

[sike]

Originally Posted by Underdog

WARE!!!!!!!!

that fool can single handedly end a drive...

[alby]

told you guys

[Underdog]

The Cowboys can do ANYTHING they want on offense right now - they've taken the Seahawks "collective mother," bent her over the hood of a Chevy El Camino and proceeded to run a train on her!

[sike]

I'm happy for Witten. He will go down as one of my favorite all time Cowboys...

[GermanDunk]

Originally Posted by Underdog

The Cowboys can do ANYTHING they want on offense right now - they've taken the Seahawks "collective mother," bent her over the hood of a Chevy El Camino and proceeded to run a train on her!

Mother

[nikeball]

I love first down celebrations.

[alby]

Shoulda been another turnover on Romo lol.

[chumdawg]

The Cowboys are kicking the dog crap out of these Seahawks.

[nikeball]

TANK THE TURKEY.

[Underdog]

[mary]

The games have really sucked today.

[sike]

MB3 and Ware are beasts...

[sike]

Originally Posted by nikeball

I love first down celebrations.

I love it when it means that Roy Williams is the one doing it...that guy's playfulness reminds me of Dwight Howard.

[alby]

what's the cowboys' record for sacks in a game?

[bcrav4]

Stanback put on the afterburners.

[Underdog]

Stanback? More like Stanbeast...

[bcrav4]

Way to capitalize Boys!

[GermanDunk]

I like the Colts...

[GermanDunk]

ühm...wrong thread

[chumdawg]

NFL Play 60...it's an attempt to get kids to play sixty minutes a day. What kid doesn't already play sixty minutes in a day?