The Dallas Cowboys have limped into the playoffs losing 3 of their last 4 games.  Tony Romo has had trouble against playoff teams so that will bear watching in this football game.  The Cowboys will likely come out running the ball against a Seahawks defense that is allowing 126.8 yards rushing and 4.6 yards per carry over the regular season.  Julius Jones (1,084 yards rushing, 4.1 ypc, 4 TDs) and Marion Barber (654 yards rushing, 4.8 ypc, 14 TDs) should find running room against the Seahawks.  It will be up to the Seahawks defensive linemen to keep the linebackers clean to make plays for the defense.  Lofa Tatupu (122 tackles), Julian Peterson (89 tackles, 10 sacks) and LeRoy Hill (92 tackles) are the heart of the Seahawks defense and will battle the Cowboys running game on Saturday Night in Seattle.  The Seahawks have suffered alot of injuries in the secondary so if the line gives Tony Romo time to throw, he should have alot of success.  Terrell Owens (85 rec, 1,180 yards, 13 TDs) and Terry Glenn (70 rec, 1,047 yards, 6 TDs) will cause big problems for the Seahawks secondary.  The Cowboys will also attack the safeties for the the Seahawks with TE Jason Witten, but the secret weapon for the Cowboys on Saturday Night could wind up being WR Patrick Crayton against the nickel back of the Seahawks, no matter who that might be due to the massive injuries that the secondary of the Seahawks have incurred.

The Seahawks would like to run the ball with Shaun Alexander (896 yards rushing, 3.6 ypc, 7 TDs) to try to keep their own defense on the sideline.  Alexander had played great as of late, right in time for the playoffs but the Cowboys allow 103.7 yards per game rushing and only 3.9 yards per carry.  With Darrell Jackson (63 rec, 956 yards, 10 TDs) a gametime decision, the Hawks might have a little trouble in the passing game.  The one thing the Seahawks have going for them is that Deion Branch (53 rec, 725 yards, 4 TDs) has played really well on the big stage and he could again starting Saturday Night.  The Cowboys pass defense has allowed 219.1 net yards per game, so if Hasselbeck has time to throw he could do some damage.  The Seahawks must keep OLB DeMarcus Ware (11.5 sacks) away from the QB to have time to throw.

Special teams could be a problem for the Cowboys in this game.  Martin Gramatica has only attempted 8 FGs this season and hit 6 of them.  Punter Matt McBriar has sometimes out-punted his coverage with his leg strength.  He has averaged 48.2 yards per punt, but only 38.6 net yards.  He also has downed 22 of 75 punts inside the 20-yard line.  Terence Newman has done a fine job returning punts as he has averaged 10.1 yards per return and scored a TD.  Miles Austin is an exciting kick returner, but he puts the ball on the ground and you can’t do that in the playoffs.  Austin has averaged 26.0 yards per kick-off return this season.

The Seahawks have played well on special teams and they have a huge advantage on the Cowboys here.  Josh Brown has hit 25 of 31 FGs this season and he’s very dependable.  Rookie punter Ryan Plackemeier had a solid season averaging 45.0 yards per punt and 37.3 net yards average.  He also has placed 25 of 72 punts inside the 20 yard line.  Nate Burleson had a rough time at receiver this season but he’s done a great job of returning kicks.  Burleson has returned 34 punts for 322 yards (9.5 avg) and a TD.  He also has returned 26 kick-offs for 643 yards (24.7 avg).

It should be fun watching Bill Parcells and Mike Holmgren matching wits on Saturday Night.  Both of these guys have had a lot of success in the post-season as Parcells sports a 11-7 record, while Holmgren has an 11-9 record.  I think the Seahawks have a slightly better team and they’re at home so I will side with them in a high-scoring, close football game.