Every week during the 2011 NFL season, gridiron expert Hatley Vittitow dissects America's Team and its challengers
ARLINGTON--Last week's game against the Philadelphia Eagles was the first time the Dallas Cowboys have lost by more than four points since Jason Garrett took the head coaching reigns. In fact, the last time they lost by more than four points was during Wade Phillips' last game as head coach--a 45-7 drubbing at the hands of the eventual Super Bowl Champion Green Bay Packers. With the score at 34-7, it could've been worse but Andy Reid called off the dogs; the occasion nonetheless stirred similar feelings across Cowboys nation.
It's time to move forward. The Cowboys' schedule in November and early December is a godsend. They host the uninspiring Seattle Seahawks (2-5) today, and the overachieving Buffalo Bills (5-2) the next week. After that, they travel to Landover, Maryland, to face the backpedaling Washington Redskins (3-4), before coming back home to face the disgraceful Miami Dolphins (0-7) four days later on Thanksgiving. To start off December, they'll face a dreadful Arizona Cardinals (1-6) team that hasn't won a game since opening day. This Cowboys' team has the talent to be great, and still has a chance to create some momentum and catch fire. But if they don't take advantage of this favorable stretch, they'll continue to be proven chokers.
The aforementioned Seahawks have been bad all around for most of the season aside from their upset win on the road against the New York Giants. They are 31st overall in rushing yards this season and after the Cowboys' struggles against the run this past week, this match-up could not have come at a better time. We haven't heard much from Marshawn Lynch since his historic 67-yard touchdown run that sealed a playoff victory against the New Orleans Saints, but he is the guy the Cowboys' defense must focus on. Sidney Rice might be a better player but without a quarterback to get him the ball deep, he shouldn't be of any threat on Sunday. The Seahawks are also 31st in total offense.
The Cowboys' most improved player this season has been Sean Lee who has a team-leading 51 tackles to go along with three interceptions and two fumble recoveries. Lee suffered a dislocated wrist against the Eagles and is out today. Lee has opted to not have season-ending surgery and once he returns, he will likely wear a cast to protect the wrist from further injury. His unavailability will throw rookie inside linebacker Bruce Carter into the mix sooner than expected. Carter was the Cowboys' second round selection in the 2011 draft out of North Carolina. Just like Lee, Carter was a highly-rated linebacker that would've been a first-round selection had it not been for a serious knee injury in college. I believe once Carter gets acclimated with this scheme, he and Lee will be the best inside-linebacker duo in the NFL. I might be in the minority, but I believe when it's all said and done Carter will be the better of the two, and we know Lee will be an all-pro linebacker for years to come.
This week's game is a must-win. They're two games behind the Giants for first place, and with the Eagles' resurgence, every game in the NFC East is huge. The Seahawks' defense is giving up 103 yards per game on the ground and DeMarco Murray will have a big day running the ball on Sunday.
After getting beat up last Sunday, the Cowboys' defense will show up and keep this lackluster offense of the Seahawks out of the endzone, even without Lee and cornerback Mike Jenkins.
At halftime, three Cowboys' legends will be inducted into the Ring of Honor. Larry Allen and Charles Haley, who played key roles in helping the Cowboys to three Super Bowl wins in the '90s, and Drew Pearson, who has waited 28 years since his retirement to be enshrined in this illustrious group of Cowboys' legends.
By the time that ceremony begins, this game will be over. Cowboys roll, 38-6.
Bold: DeMarcus Ware follows-up his four-sack performance with a three-sack game.
Not As Bold: Murray rushes for 125 yards and two touchdowns.
-- Hatley Vittitow
Twitter: @hatley_vittitow
The Cowboys' most improved player this season has been Sean Lee who has a team-leading 51 tackles to go along with three interceptions and two fumble recoveries. Lee suffered a dislocated wrist against the Eagles and is out today. Lee has opted to not have season-ending surgery and once he returns, he will likely wear a cast to protect the wrist from further injury. His unavailability will throw rookie inside linebacker Bruce Carter into the mix sooner than expected. Carter was the Cowboys' second round selection in the 2011 draft out of North Carolina. Just like Lee, Carter was a highly-rated linebacker that would've been a first-round selection had it not been for a serious knee injury in college. I believe once Carter gets acclimated with this scheme, he and Lee will be the best inside-linebacker duo in the NFL. I might be in the minority, but I believe when it's all said and done Carter will be the better of the two, and we know Lee will be an all-pro linebacker for years to come.
This week's game is a must-win. They're two games behind the Giants for first place, and with the Eagles' resurgence, every game in the NFC East is huge. The Seahawks' defense is giving up 103 yards per game on the ground and DeMarco Murray will have a big day running the ball on Sunday.
After getting beat up last Sunday, the Cowboys' defense will show up and keep this lackluster offense of the Seahawks out of the endzone, even without Lee and cornerback Mike Jenkins.
At halftime, three Cowboys' legends will be inducted into the Ring of Honor. Larry Allen and Charles Haley, who played key roles in helping the Cowboys to three Super Bowl wins in the '90s, and Drew Pearson, who has waited 28 years since his retirement to be enshrined in this illustrious group of Cowboys' legends.
By the time that ceremony begins, this game will be over. Cowboys roll, 38-6.
Bold: DeMarcus Ware follows-up his four-sack performance with a three-sack game.
Not As Bold: Murray rushes for 125 yards and two touchdowns.
-- Hatley Vittitow
Twitter: @hatley_vittitow
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