The Dallas Cowboys will host the Indianapolis Colts on Sunday with the intention of moving one step closer to clinching the NFC East. Or rather, to avoid being knocked out of contention for it.
How to watch Colts. vs. Cowboys 2014 online: Time, TV schedule and live stream
The Colts have already locked up their spot in the playoffs. The Cowboys are just trying to hold onto theirs.
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Despite being 10-4, Dallas could be on the brink of elimination with a loss to Indianapolis. The Cowboys are only a game ahead of the Philadelphia Eagles and don't have the edge when it comes to the tiebreaker. Even though Dallas beat Philadelphia last Sunday night, the Eagles -- who play Washington and the New York Giants in their final two games -- would be granted first place in the event of a tie because they would have a better division record (the Cowboys and Eagles split their season series).
This makes the game a lot more meaningful for Dallas than it does for Indianapolis, as the Colts wrapped up the AFC South with a victory over the Houston Texans last Sunday, 17-10. This is the team’s second consecutive division title.
The Colts are a team based on the passing game, led by third-year quarterback Andrew Luck. Luck has proven worthy of being the first-overall pick out of Stanford, leading Indianapolis to the playoffs in each of his campaigns. The Colts have a middling defense, checking in 15th in yards allowed. Vontae Davis is the star of the show, playing corner at an elite level. He will be matched up with Dez Bryant on Sunday.
Dallas is getting by with a decent defense. The Cowboys were the worst defense statistically in NFL history last year but have improved under new defensive coordinator, Rod Marinelli. Dallas ranks 22nd in defense, a mediocre number but still an improvement which has propelled playoff hopes. Coupled with a powerful offense, the Cowboys have found a winning formula. Offensively, the skill players garner headlines but the offensive line is the engine. Dallas wisely invested in the group, using three first-round picks on Tyron Smith, Travis Frederick and Zach Martin.
How to Watch
Where: AT&T Stadium, Arlington, Texas
When: 4:25 p.m. ET
TV: CBS
Announcers: Jim Nantz, Phil Simms, Tracy Wolfson
Online streaming: Verizon NFL Mobile | NFL Sunday Ticket
Odds
Dallas is favored by 3.5 points at home against Indianapolis, with an over/under of 55 points, per OddsShark.
Further Reading
For more on the Colts, check out Stampede Blue.
To keep up with the Cowboys, head over to Blogging The Boys.
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