(Tom Pennington/Getty Images North America)
How about them Cowboys!!
Tony Romo put on a clinic without an effective Jason Witten (lacerated spleen), but Kevin Ogletree played out of his mind and has given this offense another man to worry about for opposing defenses.
Miles Austin and Dez Bryant are studs, but Ogletree’s presence in the slot should open up the running game and make life easier for everybody.
The only issue is Romo and this offense is going on the road to face a stingy Seahawks defense. They were not as relentless as we thought they would be against Arizona of all teams, but they play like a completely different team at home.
That 12th man can get rocking and rolling, thanks to a few freaks that can roam sideline to sideline with a ton of speed. Kam Chancellor and Earl Thomas are one of the better duo of safeties in the NFL, and they sure as hell have their hands full with Dallas’ receiving corp.
DeMarco Murray running the ball will be the key to a 2-0 start for the Cowboys because Seattle is fairly stout all over the field. Bobby Wagner, Brandon Mebane, Alan Branch, Red Bryant and Chris Clemons are just a few of the freaks that will look to harass Romo.
Tyron Smith is the star tackle for Dallas, and if Murray can give this team enough balance then we will likely see this offense move the ball against a solid defense.
The ultimate matchup will not be Seattle’s rugged defense against Romo and the offense because rookie Russell Wilson needs to bounce back after a tough season opening loss.
Marshawn Lynch (back spasms) had a solid game against Arizona, but the receivers need to allow Lynch to avoid seeing eight and nine men fronts. Some of that can be blamed on Wilson for being unable to hit his receivers in stride, but football is the ultimate team game.
Nobody offensively was really doing their job against Arizona, and they will need to not allow DeMarcus Ware to own them up front.
Ware is arguably the best edge rusher in the NFL (Clay Matthews says hello) and he has some help around him. Sean Lee, Bruce Carter and Morris Claiborne are a trio of young stars that shined brightly in their upset victory over the Giants.
If Wilson can become a Houdini like he was at Wisconsin, this game will come down to the wire. Sidney Rice should have some success against the Cowboys secondary, but the weapons are not quite potent enough to pull off the slight stunner.
Power Rankings: DAL (5) SEA (24)
Network: FOX (714)
Time: 4:05 p.m. Eastern
Experts Pick: Cowboys by 3
Danny V’s Pick: Cowboys 24, Seahawks 20
