NFL Preview - Dallas (8-4) at Pittsburgh (9-3)
By Scott Garbarini, Sports Network
The Sports Network
Published: Thursday, Dec. 04, 2008
With Tony Romo back at the controls, the Dallas Cowboys' offense has become a factor once again. The resurgent unit now gets to face the ultimate test this Sunday at Heinz Field, where the playoff-hopeful Cowboys take on the AFC North-leading Pittsburgh Steelers, owners of the NFL's most dominant defense.
Dallas has won three straight games since Romo returned from a broken pinkie finger on his throwing hand that forced the star quarterback to sit out a trio of contests, and the streak has vaulted the expected Super Bowl contenders back into the NFC postseason mix. The Cowboys enter this week's play tied with upstart Atlanta for the conference's final Wild Card spot with an 8-4 record, and are one game behind Carolina and Tampa Bay for the NFC's fifth seed.
Romo has delivered back-to-back games of over 330 passing yards and Dallas has rolled up 69 total points in its last two wins, albeit against suspect competition. Sunday's showdown will present a far greater challenge, since the Steelers have been the league's best defensive team by every statistical measure.
Pittsburgh leads the NFL in total defense (238.0 ypg), rushing defense (71.2 ypg) and passing defense (166.8 ypg) and is attempting to become the first team to top all three categories since the Philadelphia Eagles did so in 1991. The Steelers have also yielded the fewest points (170), produced a league-high 42 sacks, and held the opposition to under 300 total yards in every game this year.
The "New Steel Curtain" was at its havoc-wreaking best during the second half of last Sunday's game at New England. The Steelers forced five Patriots turnovers and limited the reigning AFC champs to just 81 yards over the final two quarters, triggering a run of 23 unanswered points that spurred Pittsburgh to an eye-opening 33-10 victory.
Dallas, which followed up a 35-22 home triumph over San Francisco in Week 12 with a 34-9 rout of fellow NFC West lightweight Seattle on Thanksgiving Day, starts up a tough December stretch in which the club will meet three of the NFL's premier defenses in consecutive weeks. After Sunday's clash with the Steelers, the Cowboys host the one-loss New York Giants before Baltimore's second-ranked stop unit pays a visit to Texas Stadium on December 20.
This marquee interconference matchup has plenty of significance as well for the Steelers, who are riding a season-best three-game win streak and improved to 9-3 by knocking off the Patriots. The team owns just a one-game edge on hard-charging Baltimore in the AFC North standings and also leads the New York Jets by only a game in the race to earn one of the two first-round byes for the conference playoffs.
SERIES HISTORY
The Cowboys hold a 14-12 advantage in the regular season series, but had a three-game winning streak in the series snapped with a 24-20 home victory when the teams last met, in 2004. In the previous meeting, during the 1997 campaign, Dallas was a 37-7 winner at Three Rivers Stadium. The Cowboys are 2-0 in Pittsburgh since last losing there in 1988.
The Cowboys/Steelers series is most notable for the three Super Bowls that the teams vied for, including Pittsburgh wins in Super Bowls X and XIII and a Dallas victory in Super Bowl XXX.
Cowboys head coach Wade Phillips is 2-0 in his career against the Steelers, winning one game each while serving as head coach with the Broncos (1993-94) and Bills (1998-2000). Pittsburgh's Mike Tomlin will be meeting both Phillips and Dallas for the first time as a head coach.
WHEN THE COWBOYS HAVE THE BALL
If Dallas makes it to the playoffs, Romo (2559 passing yards, 21 TD, 8 INT) will have built a strong case for MVP consideration for the way he's resurrected an offense that stagnated in the three games that replacement Brad Johnson was under center. The standout signal-caller has thrown for over 300 yards and at least three touchdowns in six of his nine starts this year, and directed the Turkey Day win over Seattle with 331 yards passing and three scoring strikes. No one's been happier about Romo's return than Terrell Owens (52 receptions, 816 yards, 8 TD), as the mouthy wide receiver's numbers have soared since the quarterback switch. He burned the 49ers for an astounding 213 receiving yards and a touchdown on seven catches two weeks back, then had 98 yards and a score on five grabs against the Seahawks. Tight end Jason Witten (58 receptions, 3 TD), now fully recovered from a fractured rib that hampered his production in recent weeks, amassed season-bests of nine catches and 115 receiving yards on Thanksgiving. Romo has also gotten promising rookie Martellus Bennett (15 receptions, 4 TD) more involved lately, as Witten's backup has a touchdown catch in three straight games.
Romo has been sacked only eight times in nine games, but his quick release and decision-making skills will be tested by Pittsburgh's premier pass-rushing duo of outside linebackers James Harrison (80 tackles, 14 sacks, 6 forced fumbles) and LaMarr Woodley (48 tackles, 11.5 sacks). Defensive Player of the Year candidate Harrison was a one-man wrecking crew against New England last week, racking up two sacks and forcing a pair of fumbles in addition to making 10 tackles. A quality secondary headlined by perennial All-Pro strong safety Troy Polamalu (54 tackles, 6 INT, 15 PD) should be bolstered by cornerback Bryant McFadden's (30 tackles, 2 INT, 6 PD) expected return from a broken arm that has sidelined him since late October.
As good as the Steelers have been against the pass, the defense has been equally as stout at shutting down enemy running games. Pittsburgh is surrendering a miniscule 71.2 yards per game on the ground and a league-best 3.1 yards per rush attempt. The success starts up front, where nose tackle Casey Hampton (15 tackles, 1 sack) has been to four Pro Bowls over the last five years and end Aaron Smith (41 tackles, 4.5 sacks) is considered one of the game's top all-around linemen. Twelfth-year inside linebacker James Farrior (88 tackles, 2.5 sacks) continues to play at a high level as well, while Polamalu has few peers as a run-stopper at his position.
The Cowboys enter this matchup with some concerns about the health status of valuable running back Marion Barber (870 rushing yards, 47 receptions, 9 total TD), who dislocated his small right toe in the Seattle game and missed most of this week's practices. He's expected to play on Sunday, but could yield some carries to rookie Tashard Choice (147 rushing yards, 4 receptions). The fourth-round draft choice had 57 yards on just 11 carries against the Seahawks after taking over for Barber in the second half, but doesn't possess his mentor's prowess in short-yardage situations or receiving skills. Dallas ranks 16th overall in rushing offense with an average of 112.8 yards per game.
WHEN THE STEELERS HAVE THE BALL
Pittsburgh's superb defense has helped compensate for an offense that's had trouble hitting its stride for a good portion of this season. Injuries across the offensive line have in turn left the hard-nosed Ben Roethlisberger (2412 passing yards, 13 TD, 12 INT) a battered and less effective quarterback, and also impacted a ground attack that's a disappointing 22nd in the league (106.7 ypg). Roethlisberger completed only 17-of-33 passes for 179 yards last week, but two of those throws went for touchdowns and he's only been intercepted once during the Steelers' three-game win streak. The remarkably steady Hines Ward (59 receptions, 755 yards, 6 TD) leads a sound receiving corps that also includes speedy youngsters Santonio Holmes (41 receptions, 3 TD) and Nate Washington (27 receptions, 3 TD). Sure-handed tight end Heath Miller (29 receptions, 2 TD) has been slowed by a high ankle sprain that cost him a pair of games last month, but his team-best 60 receiving yards on four catches against the Pats was a very encouraging sign.
Tomlin also has to be pleased with how well the Steelers ran the ball last weekend, with the backfield tandem of Willie Parker (572 rushing yards, 4 TD, 4 receptions) and Mewelde Moore (499 rushing yards, 33 receptions, 6 TD) combining for 154 yards in the New England win. With Parker still working his way back from a knee sprain and Moore having emerged as a capable runner and integral part of the passing game, the players figure to split duty once again on Sunday.
Dallas' 10th-ranked rushing defense (96.8 ypg) has been stellar over the course of the team's string of three straight wins, having surrendered a mere 66 yards per game on the ground over that span. The charge has been keyed by inside linebacker Bradie James (81 tackles, 5 sacks), who's compiled double- digit stops in three of the last four games and is coming off a 13-stop, two- sack effort against the Seahawks. Seven-time Pro Bowl honoree Zach Thomas (80 tackles, 1 sack) has turned out to be a good fit alongside James in his first season as a Cowboy, while active nose tackle Jay Ratliff (37 tackles, 6 sacks) has been essential as well to the team's run-stopping achievements.
Roethlisberger has not been well-protected this season, and that could be an issue against a Cowboys squad whose 40 sacks trail only the Steelers for most in the NFL. Pittsburgh will have to focus its attention on dynamic outside linebacker DeMarcus Ware (62 tackles, 15 sacks), who took over the league individual sack lead by bringing down Seattle's Matt Hasselbeck three times on Thanksgiving. The All-Pro performer sat out most of the second half of that game with a hyperextended left knee, although the injury isn't expected to keep him out of Sunday's test. Dallas' secondary has had to withstand being without top cover corner Terence Newman (21 tackles, 2 INT) and the talented but troubled Adam Jones (25 tackles, 6 PD) for extended periods due to a groin surgery and a suspension, respectively. Newman, who's only played in six of the club's 12 games, has recorded two interceptions and four pass breakups in three outings since returning to action, while Jones was reinstated this week and should see time in nickel packages and on punt returns.
FANTASY FOCUS
Romo, Barber, Owens and Witten are every-week fantasy starters and almost always an excellent source of points, but owners should temper their expectations a bit against a defense as good as Pittsburgh's. Barber's ailing toe makes the Dallas back an especially risky play, so those with depth at the running back position shouldn't be afraid of sitting him this week. The other three Cowboy stars should remain in lineups, however. Expect the Steelers to give both Parker and Moore plenty of touches on Sunday, which makes both backs worthwhile as a flex pick. Ward is the best play among the Pittsburgh receivers, with Holmes and Miller decent options at their respective spots. Roethlisberger hasn't been a No. 1 fantasy quarterback this season, however, and should be used only if the alternatives aren't any better. The Steelers defense is always a must-play and Dallas' gets a go-ahead as well for this week. In leagues that use individual defenders, Harrison, Polamalu, Ware, Woodley and James all make fine choices.
OVERALL ANALYSIS
The Cowboys have looked like Super Bowl material against a pair of tomato cans over the last two weeks, but this December stretch run will prove whether Dallas indeed has what it takes to reach that level. Romo won't have it so easy this week against Pittsburgh's fierce pass rush, but let's not forget that the Cowboys can be no picnic as well on the defensive end. If Dallas can neutralize the run, an area in which the team has excelled as of late, Roethlisberger could be in for another nightmare day if his front wall doesn't make an overnight improvement in pass protection. Both teams will surely treat this matchup like a playoff game, but the Cowboys are the little more well- rounded of these two heavyweights and simply need this one more than the Steelers.
Sports Network Predicted Outcome: Cowboys 22, Steelers 20
The Sports Network
Published: Thursday, Dec. 04, 2008
With Tony Romo back at the controls, the Dallas Cowboys' offense has become a factor once again. The resurgent unit now gets to face the ultimate test this Sunday at Heinz Field, where the playoff-hopeful Cowboys take on the AFC North-leading Pittsburgh Steelers, owners of the NFL's most dominant defense.
Dallas has won three straight games since Romo returned from a broken pinkie finger on his throwing hand that forced the star quarterback to sit out a trio of contests, and the streak has vaulted the expected Super Bowl contenders back into the NFC postseason mix. The Cowboys enter this week's play tied with upstart Atlanta for the conference's final Wild Card spot with an 8-4 record, and are one game behind Carolina and Tampa Bay for the NFC's fifth seed.
Romo has delivered back-to-back games of over 330 passing yards and Dallas has rolled up 69 total points in its last two wins, albeit against suspect competition. Sunday's showdown will present a far greater challenge, since the Steelers have been the league's best defensive team by every statistical measure.
Pittsburgh leads the NFL in total defense (238.0 ypg), rushing defense (71.2 ypg) and passing defense (166.8 ypg) and is attempting to become the first team to top all three categories since the Philadelphia Eagles did so in 1991. The Steelers have also yielded the fewest points (170), produced a league-high 42 sacks, and held the opposition to under 300 total yards in every game this year.
The "New Steel Curtain" was at its havoc-wreaking best during the second half of last Sunday's game at New England. The Steelers forced five Patriots turnovers and limited the reigning AFC champs to just 81 yards over the final two quarters, triggering a run of 23 unanswered points that spurred Pittsburgh to an eye-opening 33-10 victory.
Dallas, which followed up a 35-22 home triumph over San Francisco in Week 12 with a 34-9 rout of fellow NFC West lightweight Seattle on Thanksgiving Day, starts up a tough December stretch in which the club will meet three of the NFL's premier defenses in consecutive weeks. After Sunday's clash with the Steelers, the Cowboys host the one-loss New York Giants before Baltimore's second-ranked stop unit pays a visit to Texas Stadium on December 20.
This marquee interconference matchup has plenty of significance as well for the Steelers, who are riding a season-best three-game win streak and improved to 9-3 by knocking off the Patriots. The team owns just a one-game edge on hard-charging Baltimore in the AFC North standings and also leads the New York Jets by only a game in the race to earn one of the two first-round byes for the conference playoffs.
SERIES HISTORY
The Cowboys hold a 14-12 advantage in the regular season series, but had a three-game winning streak in the series snapped with a 24-20 home victory when the teams last met, in 2004. In the previous meeting, during the 1997 campaign, Dallas was a 37-7 winner at Three Rivers Stadium. The Cowboys are 2-0 in Pittsburgh since last losing there in 1988.
The Cowboys/Steelers series is most notable for the three Super Bowls that the teams vied for, including Pittsburgh wins in Super Bowls X and XIII and a Dallas victory in Super Bowl XXX.
Cowboys head coach Wade Phillips is 2-0 in his career against the Steelers, winning one game each while serving as head coach with the Broncos (1993-94) and Bills (1998-2000). Pittsburgh's Mike Tomlin will be meeting both Phillips and Dallas for the first time as a head coach.
WHEN THE COWBOYS HAVE THE BALL
If Dallas makes it to the playoffs, Romo (2559 passing yards, 21 TD, 8 INT) will have built a strong case for MVP consideration for the way he's resurrected an offense that stagnated in the three games that replacement Brad Johnson was under center. The standout signal-caller has thrown for over 300 yards and at least three touchdowns in six of his nine starts this year, and directed the Turkey Day win over Seattle with 331 yards passing and three scoring strikes. No one's been happier about Romo's return than Terrell Owens (52 receptions, 816 yards, 8 TD), as the mouthy wide receiver's numbers have soared since the quarterback switch. He burned the 49ers for an astounding 213 receiving yards and a touchdown on seven catches two weeks back, then had 98 yards and a score on five grabs against the Seahawks. Tight end Jason Witten (58 receptions, 3 TD), now fully recovered from a fractured rib that hampered his production in recent weeks, amassed season-bests of nine catches and 115 receiving yards on Thanksgiving. Romo has also gotten promising rookie Martellus Bennett (15 receptions, 4 TD) more involved lately, as Witten's backup has a touchdown catch in three straight games.
Romo has been sacked only eight times in nine games, but his quick release and decision-making skills will be tested by Pittsburgh's premier pass-rushing duo of outside linebackers James Harrison (80 tackles, 14 sacks, 6 forced fumbles) and LaMarr Woodley (48 tackles, 11.5 sacks). Defensive Player of the Year candidate Harrison was a one-man wrecking crew against New England last week, racking up two sacks and forcing a pair of fumbles in addition to making 10 tackles. A quality secondary headlined by perennial All-Pro strong safety Troy Polamalu (54 tackles, 6 INT, 15 PD) should be bolstered by cornerback Bryant McFadden's (30 tackles, 2 INT, 6 PD) expected return from a broken arm that has sidelined him since late October.
As good as the Steelers have been against the pass, the defense has been equally as stout at shutting down enemy running games. Pittsburgh is surrendering a miniscule 71.2 yards per game on the ground and a league-best 3.1 yards per rush attempt. The success starts up front, where nose tackle Casey Hampton (15 tackles, 1 sack) has been to four Pro Bowls over the last five years and end Aaron Smith (41 tackles, 4.5 sacks) is considered one of the game's top all-around linemen. Twelfth-year inside linebacker James Farrior (88 tackles, 2.5 sacks) continues to play at a high level as well, while Polamalu has few peers as a run-stopper at his position.
The Cowboys enter this matchup with some concerns about the health status of valuable running back Marion Barber (870 rushing yards, 47 receptions, 9 total TD), who dislocated his small right toe in the Seattle game and missed most of this week's practices. He's expected to play on Sunday, but could yield some carries to rookie Tashard Choice (147 rushing yards, 4 receptions). The fourth-round draft choice had 57 yards on just 11 carries against the Seahawks after taking over for Barber in the second half, but doesn't possess his mentor's prowess in short-yardage situations or receiving skills. Dallas ranks 16th overall in rushing offense with an average of 112.8 yards per game.
WHEN THE STEELERS HAVE THE BALL
Pittsburgh's superb defense has helped compensate for an offense that's had trouble hitting its stride for a good portion of this season. Injuries across the offensive line have in turn left the hard-nosed Ben Roethlisberger (2412 passing yards, 13 TD, 12 INT) a battered and less effective quarterback, and also impacted a ground attack that's a disappointing 22nd in the league (106.7 ypg). Roethlisberger completed only 17-of-33 passes for 179 yards last week, but two of those throws went for touchdowns and he's only been intercepted once during the Steelers' three-game win streak. The remarkably steady Hines Ward (59 receptions, 755 yards, 6 TD) leads a sound receiving corps that also includes speedy youngsters Santonio Holmes (41 receptions, 3 TD) and Nate Washington (27 receptions, 3 TD). Sure-handed tight end Heath Miller (29 receptions, 2 TD) has been slowed by a high ankle sprain that cost him a pair of games last month, but his team-best 60 receiving yards on four catches against the Pats was a very encouraging sign.
Tomlin also has to be pleased with how well the Steelers ran the ball last weekend, with the backfield tandem of Willie Parker (572 rushing yards, 4 TD, 4 receptions) and Mewelde Moore (499 rushing yards, 33 receptions, 6 TD) combining for 154 yards in the New England win. With Parker still working his way back from a knee sprain and Moore having emerged as a capable runner and integral part of the passing game, the players figure to split duty once again on Sunday.
Dallas' 10th-ranked rushing defense (96.8 ypg) has been stellar over the course of the team's string of three straight wins, having surrendered a mere 66 yards per game on the ground over that span. The charge has been keyed by inside linebacker Bradie James (81 tackles, 5 sacks), who's compiled double- digit stops in three of the last four games and is coming off a 13-stop, two- sack effort against the Seahawks. Seven-time Pro Bowl honoree Zach Thomas (80 tackles, 1 sack) has turned out to be a good fit alongside James in his first season as a Cowboy, while active nose tackle Jay Ratliff (37 tackles, 6 sacks) has been essential as well to the team's run-stopping achievements.
Roethlisberger has not been well-protected this season, and that could be an issue against a Cowboys squad whose 40 sacks trail only the Steelers for most in the NFL. Pittsburgh will have to focus its attention on dynamic outside linebacker DeMarcus Ware (62 tackles, 15 sacks), who took over the league individual sack lead by bringing down Seattle's Matt Hasselbeck three times on Thanksgiving. The All-Pro performer sat out most of the second half of that game with a hyperextended left knee, although the injury isn't expected to keep him out of Sunday's test. Dallas' secondary has had to withstand being without top cover corner Terence Newman (21 tackles, 2 INT) and the talented but troubled Adam Jones (25 tackles, 6 PD) for extended periods due to a groin surgery and a suspension, respectively. Newman, who's only played in six of the club's 12 games, has recorded two interceptions and four pass breakups in three outings since returning to action, while Jones was reinstated this week and should see time in nickel packages and on punt returns.
FANTASY FOCUS
Romo, Barber, Owens and Witten are every-week fantasy starters and almost always an excellent source of points, but owners should temper their expectations a bit against a defense as good as Pittsburgh's. Barber's ailing toe makes the Dallas back an especially risky play, so those with depth at the running back position shouldn't be afraid of sitting him this week. The other three Cowboy stars should remain in lineups, however. Expect the Steelers to give both Parker and Moore plenty of touches on Sunday, which makes both backs worthwhile as a flex pick. Ward is the best play among the Pittsburgh receivers, with Holmes and Miller decent options at their respective spots. Roethlisberger hasn't been a No. 1 fantasy quarterback this season, however, and should be used only if the alternatives aren't any better. The Steelers defense is always a must-play and Dallas' gets a go-ahead as well for this week. In leagues that use individual defenders, Harrison, Polamalu, Ware, Woodley and James all make fine choices.
OVERALL ANALYSIS
The Cowboys have looked like Super Bowl material against a pair of tomato cans over the last two weeks, but this December stretch run will prove whether Dallas indeed has what it takes to reach that level. Romo won't have it so easy this week against Pittsburgh's fierce pass rush, but let's not forget that the Cowboys can be no picnic as well on the defensive end. If Dallas can neutralize the run, an area in which the team has excelled as of late, Roethlisberger could be in for another nightmare day if his front wall doesn't make an overnight improvement in pass protection. Both teams will surely treat this matchup like a playoff game, but the Cowboys are the little more well- rounded of these two heavyweights and simply need this one more than the Steelers.
Sports Network Predicted Outcome: Cowboys 22, Steelers 20
posted by The Gryphon at 8:51 PM
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