The 49ers are now playing for pride as they are now 3-7 on the season.  They are looking to build off last week’s victory over the pitiful Rams.  The Cowboys are also trying to get back on the right track as they are 6-4 on the season.  The 49ers will likely get the ball into Frank Gore’s hands as much as possible in both the running and passing game.  The Cowboys allow 105.6 yards rushing per game and 4.2 ypc so the Niners should have some success on the ground.  If the 49ers give Shaun Hill protection (they have allowed 36 sacks) then they can go after the Cowboys’ defense down the field.  Opposing QBs have 13 TD passes and only 4 interceptions against the Cowboys this season.

The Cowboys would probably like to lean on Marion Barber a lot tomorrow against the Niners who are allowing 106.8 yards rushing per game and 3.7 ypc.  That’s because Tony Romo didn’t look too good last week as his finger appears to be still bothering him.  The Niners allow 234.9 yards passing per game this season and Terrell Owens would love to stick it to his old team.

PREDICTION:  DALLAS COWBOYS 20, SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS 16

The Cowboys are reeling right now losing 2 of their last three games while the Giants are rolling again this season with a 6-1 record.  The best chance the Cowboys have to win this game will be by running the ball with Marion Barber and playing good defense.  That will be easier said than done as the Giants are only allowing 86.0 yards rushing per game and 3.8 yards per carry.  The Cowboys will have to rely on the short passing game with Brad Johnson running the show.  He doesn’t appear to have much arm strength left and the Giants will be bringing the heat against him as they have 26 sacks already this season.

The Giants will try to run a balanced offense as they usually do as they average 157.3 yards rushing per game and 221.6 yards passing per game.  The Cowboys’ linebackers could have a tough time in dealing with Brandon Jacobs, Derrick Ward and Ahmad Bradshaw.  The Cowboys also have a lot of injuries in the secondary so they will try to blitz often to attempt to rattle Eli Manning.  If Manning has time he will torch the Cowboys with passes to Plaxico Burress, Amani Toomer and Steve Smith.

PREDICTION:  NEW YORK GIANTS 31, DALLAS COWBOYS 13

This should be a outstanding football game as Coach Ken Whisenhunt of the Cardinals is 8-2 at home in his young NFL career.  The Cardinals will likely come out firing the football against the Cowboys but they must give Kurt Warner the time he needs to survey the field and avoid mistakes.  The Cardinals have allowed 12 sacks this season and the Cowboys have 14 already this season!  Larry Fitzgerald and Steve Breaston should have good games against a Cowboys’ defense that is allowing 210.2 yards passing per game.  The Cardinals would like to run the football with Edgerrin James and rookie Tim Hightower if they get a lead to protect.

The Cowboys will likely engage in a shootout with the Cardinals as Terrell Owens and Jason Witten could be set up for big games against a Cardinals’ defense allowing 204.2 yards passing per game (103.9 QB Rating).  The Cardinals have 15 sacks this season and they will be blitzing Tony Romo all game long so it will be up to the Cowboys’ O-Line which has allowed only 4 sacks this season to protect him and give him time to survey the field.  Still, the Cowboys will also pound the ball on the ground at the Cardinals with Marion Barber (395 yards rushing, 4.2 ypc) and Felix Jones (244 yards rushing, 9.0 ypc).

PREDICTION:  DALLAS COWBOYS 37, ARIZONA CARDINALS 34

Carson Palmer has been throwing the ball well in practice and the Bengals have their fingers crossed that he will be ready to start against the Cowboys on Sunday.  If they have to start Ryan Fitzpatrick again this game could turn into a bloodbath.  The Bengals should just come out throwing the ball in this game as T.J. Houshmandzadeh, Chad Johnson and Chris Henry could give the Cowboys’ D big trouble if Palmer has time to throw the ball.  That’s a big if as the Bengals have allowed 12 sacks this season and the Cowboys’ D also has 12 sacks this year.  The Cowboys don’t have a great run defense but Chris Perry (208 yards, 2.9 ypc, 2 TDs) has not looked good this year.

The Cowboys would like to have a balanced offense against the Bengals and that will be possible as the Bengals are allowing 164.3 yards rushing per game and 4.3 ypc this season.  Marion Barber should have a huge game against the Bengals tomorrow.  The Bengals’ defense only has 2 sacks this season so Tony Romo should have all day to pick apart the pass D.  Jason Witten, Patrick Crayton, T.O. and Miles Austin should all have big games here.

PREDICTION:  WITH CARSON PALMER:  DALLAS COWBOYS 31, CINCINNATI BENGALS 21

                             WITHOUT CARSON PALMER:  DALLAS COWBOYS 49, CINCINNATI BENGALS 3

The Redskins and the Cowboys have one of the most storied rivalries in the NFL and this game is for first place in the NFC East.  Look for the Redskins to let it all out against the Cowboys this week.  The Cowboys’ defense is only giving up 292.0 yards of offense per game but that’s because they control possession of the football a lot.  With that in mind the Redskins will likely try to run the ball to play keepaway from the Cowboys.  Clinton Portis should be able to find running room against a Cowboys’ defense that is allowing 4.1 yards per carry this season.  Look for TE Chris Cooley to be the focal point of the passing game for the Redskins as the Cowboys safeties are the weak link of the secondary.  The Cowboys do have 10 sacks this season so throwing the ball short will benefit Jason Campbell.  If the Cowboys’ defense creeps up, WRs Santana Moss and Antwaan Randle El will start running deep.  Also, expect Randle El to throw deep at least once in this game on a trick play.

The Cowboys will try to run a balanced offensive attack as always as they have thrown the ball 93 times and run it 90 times.  The Redskins’ linebackers will have their hands full in trying to deal with Marion Barber and rookie Felix Jones in the running game.  The Redskins must get a good pass rush on Tony Romo or Terrell Owens, Patrick Crayton and Jason Witten will all have big games.

PREDICTION:  DALLAS COWBOYS 31, WASHINGTON REDSKINS 21