Here we go again. The Seattle Seahawks are set to play their second-straight Thursday night game tomorrow as they visit the Dallas Cowboys. Aside from seeing them wear their beautiful throwback jerseys again, there’s not a whole lot to be excited about. Seattle and Dallas are heading in two entirely different directions right now and an upset would frankly come as a shock. Then again, there’s a reason why they play the games and the ball bounces in funny and unpredictable ways, especially on Thursday nights. Let’s get you prepared for what might be a make-or-break primetime game.
Here are 10 things to know about these teams heading into their TNF matchup.
1
The Cowboys are hot
Back in Week 5, these Cowboys got decimated by the 49ers on Sunday Night Football by 32 points. If that was your last impression of Dallas, then you’re way off-track now. Ever since that game this team has been rolling, winning five of the last six games. Their only loss in that time was to the Eagles by less than a touchdown. The Cowboys are DVOA darlings, as well. They rank fourth in total team DVOA, including tenth on offense, third on defense and and ninth on special teams.
2
The Seahawks are not
Meanwhile, the Seahawks are going in the opposite direction. Seattle went into the bye week at 3-1 and looking like a potential contender. Since then the team has gone 3-4, with their only convincing win coming against the Cardinals. It’s getting worse with time, too. The Seahawks have lost three of their last four games, including a critically painful one-point loss to the Rams that hurt far more than their 34-point drubbing at the hands of the Ravens. In total team DVOA, they’re down to No. 17.
3
Dak Prescott is playing at an MVP level
The biggest reason for the Cowboys’ success during this run has been a hell of a hot streak by Dak Prescott. Last season Prescott led the league in interceptions (15) but this has been his best year in the NFL. So far he has thrown 23 touchdown passes and just six interceptions – that’s excellent production considering the league-wide offensive turndown this season. His QBR splits are even more impressive.
Was looking at some of his full season splits ahead of TNF and…well here ya go:
1st in QBR vs man
1st in QBR vs the blitz
2nd in QBR under pressure
2nd in QBR from the pocket
1st in QBR outside the pocket
1st in QBR on 3rd down https://t.co/3LHACCrYRP— Mina Kimes (@minakimes) November 28, 2023
For the season, Prescott ranks first in the league in passer rating (107.4) and first in QBR (75.3) among all quarterbacks who don’t have Kyle Shanahan calling plays for them.
4
Seattle's offense is in a serious funk
The first month of the season the Seahawks offense was solid. However, since the bye they haven’t looked nearly as good. From Weeks 6-8 things started to drop off, as they managed just 19 points per game. The wheels came off when they faced the Ravens, when they only scored three points. The following week they only scored 29 against Jack Del Rio’s defense, and since then they’re averaging just 14.5 points per game. For the season they’re down to No. 18 in offensive DVOA and rank No. 21 in points per game.
5
Dallas has yet another dominant defense
This week Seattle will be facing a top-five defense for the fourth time this season. Former Seahawks defensive coordinator Dan Quinn has this Dallas unit playing as well as they have in decades, and they’re excelling at all three levels. Heading into Week 13 Dallas ranks fourth in sacks (37), fourth in fewest points per game allowed, third in fewest yards allowed and third in defensive DVOA.
6
Beware DaRon Bland
It’s not quite the 2013-2014 Seahawks, but Quinn has a ton of defensive talent to work with. Micah Parsons is a Defensive Player of the Year candidate every season, but right now there’s an even more dangerous defender behind him. Cornerback DaRon Bland is on an all-time hot streak in pass defense, having posted five pick-sixes this season, a new NFL record. For context, that’s more touchdowns than DK Metcalf has.
DK Metcalf on Cowboys defense
He jokingly talk about Daron Bland having more TDs than him when the reporter brought it up😆 pic.twitter.com/KSorchG6zi
— MartinTalkCowboys (@DAK_4_MVP) November 27, 2023
For the season, PFF has Bland ranked first at his position.
7
Devon Witherspoon watch
Then again, the Seahawks have their own very special talent at cornerback. Rookie Devon Witherspoon may only have one pick-six so far, but he has made a massive impact in every facet of the game. Witherspoon is particularly adept at breaking up passes, ranking fourth in the league with 14 despite not playing in Week 1. Witherspoon is also an awesome blitz option from the slot, posting three sacks already. For an encore Spoon is a superb run defender at his position. PFF has him ranked fifth at CB right now.
8
The Seahawks run game is stuck in neutral
Spoon is a rare ray of sunshine these days for the Seahawks, though. In most departments things are trending down. That includes the rushing attack, which has not lived up to expectations. For the year, Seattle is averaging just 95.8 yards per game on the ground. Only six teams are doing worse heading into this week. Things are probably not going to get better as long as starter Ken Walker is sidelined by an oblique strain. He did not play last week and has not practiced yet this week.
9
The run defense has fallen off, as well
Pete Carroll made improving against the run the team’s top priority this year. In the first half of the season it worked like a charm, and Seattle had one of the stingiest run-stopping units in the NFL. However, ever since the Arizona game they have been regressing against the run and the near-300 rushing yards the Ravens dropped on them was a breaking point. For the season they are allowing 117.7 rushing yards per game, which ranks No. 21 in the NFL.
10
Abe Lucas is finally back
We’ll finish with one last ray of hope for this week – the return of right tackle Abe Lucas. He has been on injured reserve ever since Week 2 as he’s suffering from a chronic knee pain issue. Lucas is expected to be activated (likely tomorrow) for this week’s game. In his absence, the right tackle spot has been Seattle’s Achilles’ heel. First Jake Curhan bombed, then the combination of Stone Forsythe and Jason Peters. When healthy, Lucas is far better than any of them. Hopefully his return will inspire some kind of improvement on offense.
11
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