The Dallas Cowboys have been one of the nice surprises of the 2014 NFL season. Few expected this team would be able to overcome their defensive deficiencies and quarterback Tony Romo's ailing back, but a dominant ground game and bend-but-don't-break defense has them tied for the NFC's best record at 4-1 overall.
Cowboys vs. Seahawks 2014 preview: Battle of NFC’s best
The Dallas Cowboys look to keep up their surprising start when they face the Seattle Seahawks in an NFC clash.
Jeff Gross
As for the defending Super Bowl-champion Seattle Seahawks, they'll be looking to defend their turf and keep pace with the 3-1 San Francisco 49ers in the loaded AFC West. Seattle is coming off a 27-17 road win over Washington on Monday Night Football.
This is a big game in the NFC standings, since a head-to-head win could be what determines how these teams are seeded if they both win their respective divisions. There’s a lot of football left to be played, but these kinds of games can be what ultimately determines who gets that No. 1 seed, or who earns the final first-round bye.
Digits
The Seahawks have won 17 of their past 18 home games, and they’ll look to continue that trend against a Cowboys team that’s 2-0 on the road this year. Seattle has surrendered an average of 18 points per game at home, while Dallas is averaging 27 points per game.
This game will featured the NFL’s best rushing offenses. Dallas ranks second at 160 yards per game, while Seattle leads the league with 167.3 yards per contest. The Seahawks are also No. 1 in the NFL in run defense, surrendering a mere 62.3 yards per game. Dallas ranks 20th while allowing 122 rushing yards per game.
Another stat to keep track of is fumbles. Seattle has forced five fumbles this year, which is tied for most in the NFL. On the other side, Dallas has fumbled the ball four times, tied for the third-most in the league.
Who to watch
Russell Wilson - The early favorite for NFL MVP might just be Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson. His 122.9 QB rating is the third-best in the league, while completing 70 percent of his passes for 852 yards, eight touchdowns and just one interception. He's also got 209 yards rushing and one score. He's been masterful in running the Seahawks offense that relies on the arms and legs of Wilson.
DeMarco Murray - The NFL leader in rushing yards, DeMarco Murray will face his toughest test yet in Seattle's top-ranked run defense. Through five games, Murray has rushed for 670 yards and five scores to go with 19 catches for 124 yards. At his current pace, Murray would finished with 2,540 all-purpose yards (2,144 rushing, 396 receiving).
How to watch
Where: CenturyLink Field, Seattle, Wash.
When: Sunday, Oct. 12, 4:25 p.m. ET
TV: FOX
Online Streaming: Verizon NFL Mobile, NFL Sunday Ticket
The Venue
CenturyLink Field serves as the home field for the Seahawks, as well as the Seattle Sounders FC of Major League Soccer. It was originally called Seahawks Stadium, but was renamed Qwest Field in 2004 after Qwest acquired the naming rights. It was then given its current name in June 2011 after the acquisition of Qwest by CenturyLink.
The original stadium opened in 2002, and can hold up to 72,000 screaming fans that once set the record for loudest sound during an NFL game.
Odds
The Seahawks are 9.5-point favorites at home, according to OddsShark. The over/under for the game is 46.5 points.
Preliminary judgment
Most experts are picking the Seahawks to hold serve at home, including all seven here at SB Nation and all three at Yahoo! Sports, but it's split down the middle at CBS Sports
Further Reading
For more on the Seahawks, be sure to read Field Gulls. For everything Cowboys, check out Blogging the Boys.
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