Here's a preview of the Cowboys’ game against the Seattle Seahawks on Sunday at 3:25 p.m. at AT&T Stadium.
Jason Garrett vs. Seattle: Garrett is 2-2 against Seattle, but the teams haven’t met in the regular season since a 13-12 loss to the Seahawks in 2015. In that game, Seattle’s Steven Hauschka kicked a 24-yard field with 1:06 left, culminating a 17-play, 79-yard drive to give the Seahawks a one-point win.
Key matchup: C Travis Frederick V. DT Sheldon Richardson: The return of Ezekiel Elliott from his NFL-mandated six-game suspension for violating the league’s personal conduct policy means the Cowboys’ running game will be the epicenter of the offense again. The Seahawks gave up 152 yards to Todd Gurley in a 42-7 loss last week, and Elliott can have the same type of performance if Frederick controls Richardson. Frederick was named to the Pro Bowl earlier this week, and Richardson can be a difficult player to block when he’s properly engaged.
X Factor: With Elliott back in the lineup can Dez Bryant take advantage of some man-to-man coverage and make some plays downfield. He was quiet much of the game against Oakland, but had two catches for 59, including a 40-yard grab that set up the game-winning field goal. If the Cowboys can get more big plays like that from Bryant then, maybe, their slim playoff hopes will last for another week.
Key Stat: Demarcus Lawrence, third in the NFL with 13.5 sacks, leads the NFL with 66.5 knockdowns and pressures.
Cowboys Game Plan: Owner Jerry Jones and play-caller Scott Linehan have made it clear the game plan this week against Seattle will be to feed Ezekiel Elliott the ball. As long as the score is close, you can expect Elliott to get at least 25 carries. On defense, the Cowboys will focus on maintaining their pass-rush lanes because Russell Wilson will have success scrambling and making big plays if they don’t.
