In a matter of two weeks, the Cowboys have climbed out of the NFC East cellar to hold a half-game lead in the division over Washington. Back-to-back victories over Philadelphia and New York sparked the Cowboys' first winning streak of the year. Now the Cowboys' challenge is staying atop the division, starting with a road game at Qwest Field against Seattle this Sunday. Seattle, meanwhile, is coming off a 42-10 blowout victory over the winless Houston Texans.
What's Up?
- The Cowboys and Seahawks are both looking for their first three-game winning streaks of the season. Both teams (4-2) are tied for the second-best record in the conference, trailing only the 5-1 Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
- The Seahawks likely haven't forgotten about last year's miraculous Monday night finish for the Cowboys, who stole the game by erasing a 10-point deficit with less than two minutes remaining to seal a 43-39 victory.
Statistical View
- The Cowboys defense hasn't gotten a break these past few weeks, already facing high-flying offenses against Philadelphia and New York. And this week the challenge will be no easier, as Seattle comes in with the league's top-ranked offensive unit, averaging 407.2 yards per game.
- Running back Shaun Alexander leads the league in rushing yards (715), yards per carry (5.5) and total touchdowns (12). In fact, only one quarterback - Cincinnati's Carson Palmer - has thrown for more touchdowns (13) than the 12 that Alexander has scored on the ground.
- Matt Hasselbeck is emerging as an elite quarterback for the Seahawks, leading the NFC with a 66-percent completion percentage and ranking fifth in the league with 1,495 passing yards. Hasselbeck, a Pro Bowl selection in 2003, is also second in the NFC with a 96.5 passer rating, behind only the Cowboys' Drew Bledsoe (100.4).
- Much has been made about the Cowboys' improved sack total (20) this season, but Seattle also has done a good job generating pressure through six games. Seattle, which recorded 36 sacks last season, has already recorded a fourth-best 18 sacks.
- Looking for a chink in Seattle's armor? Well, it's not the Seahawks defense, which ranks 13th in total yards allowed per game (302.7). Seattle, however, is allowing 19.5 points per game.
Chalk Talk
- Playing the Cowboys with a dominant offensive attack didn't help Philadelphia or New York, as both teams combined to score only 23 points against Dallas - seven of which were scored by Philadelphia's defense. But Seattle possesses a dominant offense, especially at home. The Seahawks are 3-0 at home this season, averaging 33.3 points per game at Qwest Field.
- The Seahawks have relied on a makeshift lineup at receiver, as starters Bobby Engram and Darrell Jackson - who combined for 56 receptions and 692 yards in four games apiece - have missed the last two games because of injuries. The passing game has not stalled because of their absence, as receivers Joe Jurevicius and Peter Warrick, two players picked up this off-season, have picked up the slack. The pair has combined for 24 receptions, 371 yards and four scores this season.
Connections
- Cowboys punter Mat McBriar - Traded to Seattle from Denver as a rookie in 2003. Averaged 44.8 yards on five punts in his lone preseason game with the Seahawks before being released prior to the start of the regular season.
Miscellaneous
Free safety Ken Hamlin was taken to an intensive care unit Monday after reportedly being injured in a fight outside a Seattle nightclub following the Seahawks' victory over Houston Sunday night. Hamlin, a full-time starter since his rookie year in 2003, has 26 tackles and two passes defensed this season. Hamlin will be replaced in the starting lineup by four-year veteran Marquand Manuel . . . Alexander tied San Diego's LaDainian Tomlinson as the NFL record holder with five consecutive seasons with 10 or more rushing touchdowns . . . The Seahawks are one of only two teams with a winning record that have a negative turnover ratio (minus-1).
