Dallas Cowboys @ Seattle Seahawks

Scouting Report for Dallas Cowboys(1-0) vs. Seattle Seahawks (0-1)
September 16, 2012-CenturyLink Field, Seattle, WA

Cowboys: The Boys had their chances to let the Giants in the game during their last game (24-17 victory), but they made those plays count and are off to a great start. Hopefully, Dallas will make the fans in the Metroplex happy. If and only if they win in one of the loudest NFL stadiums.

The Cowboys were only down once in the game when the G-Men opened the second quarter with a Lawrence Tynes 22 YD FG off a Tony Romo interception. After that, the Cowboys were rolling. Tony Romo (22-29, 307 YDS and 3 TD) found Kevin Ogletree (8 catches for 114 YDS) for a pair of touchdowns. DeMarco Murray (131 YDS on 20 carries) helped keep the defense in check. Dez Bryant and Miles Austin combined for 8 catches, 158 yards and 1 TD (Austin). The defense which featured DeMarcus Ware (2 sacks) and Sean Lee (12 tackles) stepped up to the task.

Seahawks: Just like their opponents, they opened their season on the road against a division rival. However, the Cardinals got the best of them with a 20-16 victory over Seattle. Maybe some home cooking will bring the Hawks back to .500.

Rookie QB Russell Wilson (18-34, 153 YDS, 1 TD and 1 INT) looked impressive in his debut. He spread the ball around to 9 different receivers (only 7 made catches). Braylon Edwards led all receiver with 5 catches and Sidney Rice gave Wilson his first TD pass in the 3rd quarter. Leon Washington had 184 all purpose yards on special teams.

What to watch for: Jason Witten still has an issue with his lacerated spleen that he suffered in the preseason (against the Raiders). While he only had two catches for 10 yards, he still had a game changing impact. That shouldn't be any difference if the Seattle secondary has their way with the receivers.

Wilson has made a believer out of the Seahawk faithful with his performance against the Cardinals last Sunday. While he came up short on the final drive of the game, there is no doubt that the future is now. The more important issue will be how the Seahawks tall CB's Richard Sherman and Brandon Browner (both 6'3) handle the Cowboys receivers. Sherman did have a pick against the Cardinals last week, but they are facing a much improved quarterback in Romo.

Conclusion: A lot has changed in Seattle since January 6, 2007 (21-20 Seahawks in the Wildcard). Romo is no longer a holder for a place kicker. And let's face it, the Seahawks are not the experienced team they used to be. The past is the past...let it go already.

The Cowboys may have had 13 penalties for 86 YDS, but that didn't stop their momentum. It wouldn't be a complete shock if the Cowboys have some penalties due to the 12th man at CenturyLink, but going over 10 penalties would be an utter failure (even if the Cowboys win). The Seahawks should stick to what they were doing against the Cardinals. But as long as fans remember that 2006 Wild Card game, the Cowboys will play even harder to prove that they are a title contender this season.

Prediction: Cowboys by 17.

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