The Cowboys have been solid under Jason Garrett as the head coach as they are 2-1, outscoring opponents 95-69.  The Colts have lost two games in a row, including a 36-14 beatdown in Lucas Oil Stadium which was their first loss of the year at home.  Here is a look at the matchups in this game:

When the Cowboys have the ball:  The Cowboys are likely going to run the ball a little more than usual this week due to the Colts’ D which is allowing 136.0 yards rushing per game and 4.9 yards per carry.  That means that Felix Jones & Tashard Choice could be working more than usual this Sunday.  If Jon Kitna has time to throw the ball, he’s going to have success against a Colts’ D that is allowing 204.5 yards passing per game.  Dez Bryant, Miles Austin, Roy Williams and Jason Witten are going to cause a lot of matchup problems for the Colts’ secondary.

When the Colts have the ball:  If the Cowboys are going to have a good chance of slowing the Colts’ offense down they are going to have to get pressure on Peyton Manning.  DeMarcus Ware is going to be blitzing an awful lot this Sunday.  The Cowboys are giving up 244.0 yards passing per game so the Colts are going to give them problems.  The Colts’ running game is just for show as Donald Brown has not been playing well.

PREDICTION:  COLTS 34, COWBOYS 30

Both of these teams are running hot right now.  The Cowboys are 2-0 under new head coach Jason Garrett as they have outscored the Lions & Giants 68-39.  The Saints have won three games in a row by a combined score of 88-32.  Here is a look at the matchups in this game as something has to give:

When the Cowboys have the ball:  The Cowboys need to remain balanced in this game because Jon Kitna isn’t going to win a shootout with Drew Brees.  Felix Jones & Marion Barber have to give the Cowboys balance or the Saints are going to come after Kitna big time.  If the Cowboys have some success on the ground it will help them control the clock.  Jason Witten, Miles Austin and Dez Bryant will give the Saints’ secondary issues today.

When the Saints have the ball:  The Cowboys had better get after Drew Brees because if he has time to throw the ball they are in big trouble.  The problem with defending against the Saints’ passing game is that they use everyone, just like the Patriots do.  It makes it hard to double anyone on the Saints.  The Saints have used the passing game to get leads before grinding wins out on the ground.

PREDICTION:  SAINTS 30, COWBOYS 24

The Cowboys might have won last weekend but that was on the road.  Now for new head coach Jason Garrett’s next trick….trying to get the Cowboys’ first home win of the year.  The Cowboys are 0-4 at home this season and they have been outscored 137-99 at the new Cowboys Stadium.  Lucky for the Cowboys that they are playing the Lions who are 0-5 on the road where they have been outscored 113-82.  Here is a look at the matchups in this game:

When the Cowboys have the ball:  The Cowboys are likely going to keep running the ball more under Garrett than they did under Wade Phillips.  Felix Jones & Marion Barber will likely split the carries against a Lions’ D that is allowing 130.4 yards rushing per game and 4.7 yards per carry.  The Lions have 25 sacks this year so the Cowboys’ O-Line is going to be challenged this weekend.  The Cowboys have to make their blocks because when Jon Kitna gets pressured he makes big mistakes.  Dez Bryant will likely be Kitna’s top target in the passing game but Jason Witten, Roy Williams and Miles Austin will likely all get some action this Sunday.

When the Lions have the ball:  The Cowboys better hope that OLB DeMarcus Ware gets to Shaun Hill a lot in this game.  The Cowboys are allowing 232.0 yards passing per game and opposing QBs have a rating of 105.0 against them.  With that in mind, I look for Hill to come out passing early and often in this game.  Calvin Johnson, Nate Burleson and Brandon Pettigrew could all have big games for the Lions this Sunday.  Jahvid Best has been dinged up for weeks so the Cowboys likely won’t have much to worry about with the Lions on the ground.

PREDICTION:  COWBOYS 27, LIONS 23

The Cowboys and Giants just played three weeks ago with the Giants winning 41-35 in Dallas.  This time the game is in NY with Jon Kitna under center and new head coach Jason Garrett calling the shots.  Here is a look at the matchups in this game:

When the Cowboys have the ball:  It would be smart of the Cowboys to run the ball more than usual because if not Jon Kitna will be in danger.  Kitna played good against the Giants in the first matchup between these two teams after they knocked out Tony Romo.  But he has been awful the last two weeks.  The Cowboys would be smart to keep the passing game of the shorter variety to Dez Bryant, Miles Austin and Jason Witten.

When the Giants have the ball:  The Giants are going to mix things up this weekend.  I see them running about half the time in this game with Ahmad Bradshaw & Brandon Jacobs against a Cowboys’ D that is allowing 123.9 yards rushing per game and 4.4 yards per carry.  The Cowboys need to get into Eli Manning’s face or it’s going to be a long day for the secondary.  Opposing QBs have a 109.1 Rating against the Cowboys this year.

PREDICTION:  GIANTS 34, COWBOYS 13

The Cowboys have now lost 4 games in a row while looking awful doing it.  The Cowboys are 1-2 on the road this season and they have actually outscored their opponents 55-50.  The Packers have won two games in a row and they play solid football at home where they are 3-1 on the year, outscoring the opposition 110-80.  Here is a look at the matchups in this game:

When the Cowboys have the ball:  The only legit chance that the Cowboys have in this game is if the RUN THE FOOTBALL!  The Packers are giving up 123.6 yards rushing per game and 4.6 yards per carry.  With that in mind, Felix Jones, Marion Barber and Tashard Choice need to get the ball a lot in this football game.  The Packers have 24 sacks and 12 interceptions this season so I think it’s a distinct possibility that Jon Kitna will be forced into some mistakes in this game. 

When the Packers have the ball:  The Cowboys are going to have to blitz Aaron Rodgers a lot in this game.  If he has time to throw the ball this game could get ugly quickly.  The Cowboys have given up 15 TD passes against only 5 interceptions as opposing QBs have a 105.4 QB Rating against them.  The Packers will likely be throwing a ton in this game to Greg Jennings, Jordy Nelson and James Jones.  Brandon Jackson will also likely get the ball some in this game as the Cowboys are giving up 121.9 yards rushing per game and 4.5 yards per carry so far this year.

PREDICTION:  PACKERS 34, COWBOYS 10

Desperate times call for desperate measures and both of the head coaches in this game (Wade Phillips and Jack Del Rio) are both sitting on a hot seat that keeps getting warmer by the week.  The Cowboys have lost three games in a row and they are 0-3 in the new palace they call home.  The Cowboys have been outscored 102-82 at home this year.  The Jaguars have lost two games in a row by a combined score of 72-23!  The Jaguars are 1-2 on the road where they have been outscored 106-69!  Something has to give this Sunday in Dallas and here is a look at the matchups in this game:

When the Cowboys have the ball:  This is the perfect team for Jon Kitna to make his starting debut at QB against.  The Jaguars are allowing 253.1 yards passing per game and opposing QBs have a 109.7 Rating against them.  The Jags will probably be blitzing a lot against the Cowboys because if Kitna has time to throw the ball they are in big, big trouble.  The Cowboys shouldn’t forget about running the ball either as the Jaguars are allowing 129.0 yards rushing and 4.6 yards per carry.  Maybe the Cowboys will play smart and give the ball to Felix Jones & Marion Barber a bit more than usual this weekend.

When the Jaguars have the ball:  If the Jaguars were smart this week they would try to mix up the offense like the Giants did last week.  With David Garrard back at QB it makes sense for the Jaguars to throw the ball more than usual this week.  The Cowboys only have 5 interceptions this year as opposing QBs have a 95.7 QB Rating against them this year.  The Cowboys know that Maurice Jones-Drew is going to still be the focal point of the Jaguars offense this Sunday.

PREDICTION:  COWBOYS 27, JAGUARS 20

This is a must win game for the Cowboys if they still want to make the playoffs this year.  The bad thing for them is that they are facing a hot Giants team that’s on a 3-game winning streak.  The Giants have outscored opponents by a combined score of 79-33 in the last three games so they aren’t just winning games…they are destroying teams!  Here is a look at the matchups in this game:

When the Cowboys have the ball:  The Cowboys will need to mix in the run on Monday Night a lot more than they have been.  Because if the Giants know they are going to pass on every down they will release the dogs after Tony Romo and they already have 21 sacks so far this year.  Felix Jones & Marion Barber need to get some yards against a Giants’ D that is allowing 92.8 yards rushing per game but only 3.5 yards per carry.  If the Cowboys give Romo time to throw the ball they could have some success against the Giants as Roy Williams, Miles Austin, Jason Witten and Dez Bryant are a load to handle in the passing game.

When the Giants have the ball:  The Giants are likely going to come out running the ball in an effort to bully the Cowboys’ front seven.  The Cowboys better tighten up the chinstraps because Ahmad Bradshaw & Brandon Jacobs are very physical runners.  The Cowboys only have two interceptions this season so they need DeMarcus Ware & Co. to get to Eli Manning.  If Manning has time to throw the ball, the Cowboys could be in for a long night.

PREDICTION:  GIANTS 24, COWBOYS 21

This is likely going to be a great football game between two of the most disappointing teams in the NFL.  Scan the rosters of these two teams and you see a ton of players on each unit that have been Pro Bowlers in the very recent past.  Here is a look at the matchups in this game:

When the Cowboys have the ball:  If the Cowboys were watching last Monday Night’s Football Game between the Jets and the Vikings they know that you can run the ball against the Vikings.  That means that the Cowboys should get the ball in the hands of Felix Jones & Marion Barber a combined 25-30 times in the running game.  If the Cowboys mix up the play calling a bit more they will have a better chance of keeping DE Jared Allen out of Tony Romo’s face.  Allen only has 1 sack this season but he’s going to get a couple in a game pretty soon.  Look for the Cowboys to still chuck the ball at lot against a Vikings’ D that only has 2 pickoffs so far this year.  WRs Miles Austin, Dez Bryant and Roy Williams along with TE Jason Witten will likely keep the CBs and safeties of the Vikings very busy tomorrow.

When the Vikings have the ball:  The Vikings will likely try to run a balanced offense this weekend.  Adrian Peterson must touch the ball at least 25 times in this game or the Vikings are probably going to lose.  Brett Favre will likely run a lot of play action early in the game if Peterson is running well, taking long shots down the field to Percy Harvin and Randy Moss.  The Cowboys only have 2 interceptions this season so Brett Favre could be in for a breakout game.

PREDICTION:  VIKINGS 27, COWBOYS 24

The Titans are coming off a tough home loss against the Broncos.  The Cowboys are well rested having their bye week last week and they have had two weeks to prepare for the Titans.  Here is a look at the matchups in this game:

When the Cowboys have the ball:  The Cowboys are likely going to have to mix the running game in more than usual due to the Titans’ pass D.  That means Marion Barber and Felix Jones should each get at least 10 carries apiece tomorrow.  The Titans have 16 sacks and 4 interceptions this year so Tony Romo is going to have to get rid of the ball quickly and be careful.  Roy Williams, Jason Witten, Dez Bryant and Miles Austin will have to be ready to take some hits on Sunday.

When the Titans have the ball:  The Cowboys will have to go all out to stop Charles Johnson and Vince Young’s running.  The Cowboys will also have to contain Vince Young in the pocket where he’s nowhere near as effective as he is when he rolls out giving him the option to run or pass the ball.  The Cowboys can’t afford to let the Titans hog the ball in this game which is what they are going to aim to do.

PREDICTION:  COWBOYS 23, TITANS 20

The Dallas Cowboys are off to a terrible start this year and Jerry Jones has already given Wade Phillips a vote of confidence which isn’t a good thing so early in the year.  The Cowboys just can’t afford to start the year 0-3 making this a must win game for them already.  Here is a look at the matchups in this game:

When the Cowboys have the ball:  The Cowboys will likely engage in a firefight this weekend in Houston.  The Texans are allowing 411.0 yards passing but only 31.0 yards rushing per game so far this year.  That means that Tony Romo will likely have to do the heavy lifting again this weekend with little help from the running game.  Romo can’t afford to turn the ball over against the Texans in this game because they also have a potent offense.  The Cowboys’ O-Line better keep DE Mario Williams out of the backfield or Romo could be forced into some mistakes.  Miles Austin will likely have a huge game for the Cowboys this weekend but Romo will need to spread the ball around keeping Jason Witten, Roy Williams and Dez Bryant involved in the offense.

When the Texans have the ball:  If I had to venture a guess in this game it would be that the Texans air it out against the Cowboys.  Opposing QBs have a 98.3 QB Rating against the Cowboys and Matt Schaub is clearly the best QB they have played against.  This is a game that DeMarcus Ware has to get to the QB to give the Cowboys a good chance of stopping the Texans passing game.  Andre Johnson, Kevin Walter and Jacoby Jones will cause matchup problems for the Cowboys secondary this week.  The Cowboys must also be aware of Arian Foster both running and receiving as he already has 376 overall yards this year.

PREDICTION:  TEXANS 34, COWBOYS 31