Local and national media make their picks for Saturday's Wild Card playoff matchup between the Seattle Seahawks and Dallas Cowboys.
Elliot Harrison, **NFL.com**: Cowboys 25, Seahawks 17
Harrison: Seahawks RB Chris Carson might be the most interesting player in this game. Unless David Moore starts the game off by hauling in a 50-yard Wilson moonball for a touchdown, the Seahawks' methodical approach on offense might be the most important factor in this juicy matchup. Seattle led the NFL in rushing this season, and as long as Carson finds creases, he will present the same issue that Elliott presents -- less chances for the opposing offense. Thus, we could be staring at a 17-13 kind of game here. One problem for Seattle: The Dallas LB trio of Jaylon Smith, Leighton Vander Esch and (when healthy) Sean Lee is now an NFL brand. Those guys aren't gonna be easy-peasy to run on, even if Lee continues to play a limited role.
Pete Prisco, **CBSSports.com**: Cowboys 23, Seahawks 20
Prisco: This should be a physical game between two teams that want to run it and play good defense. ... Look for the Cowboys defense to come up big in this one, much like they did in a home victory against the Saints earlier this year. Cowboys take it.
Will Brinson, **CBSSports.com**: Seahawks 17, Cowboys 14
Brinson: Another situation where the coach and quarterback for one team are probably better than the other and that's why I lean towards Seattle. I've been down on the Cowboys for much of the season, and it turns out I was wrong about them and how they would incorporate Amari Cooper and improve the offense with a true No. 1 wide receiver. Ezekiel Elliott sat out Week 17 and still led the league in rushing. He's been dominant down the stretch. The Cowboys offensive line is a problem for anyone and Seattle's front seven isn't the dominant unit it used to be, although Bobby Wagner might currently be the best middle linebacker in football. Seattle's strength is its run game and Dallas is actually good at stopping the run. That's a serious cause for concern. But are Brian Schottenheimer, Pete Carroll and Russell Wilson just going to run into a brick wall over and over without some success? I don't think so. They'll be a little more creative in this spot with the offense out of the gate. Wilson's been so efficient down the stretch -- he completed 65 percent of his passes in the final seven games (Seattle went 6-1), while throwing 14 touchdowns and just two interceptions. He only averaged 211 passing yards per game, but his 9.3 yards per attempt is eye popping. I don't see this being a blowout and I want to side with Carroll/Wilson over Jason Garrett/Dak Prescott if that's the case.
Michael David-Smith, **ProFootballTalk.com**: Seahawks 20, Cowboys 17
MDS: Although the Cowboys' offense got better after the Amari Cooper trade, I think Dallas has to be a little worried about its ability to move the ball against the Seattle defense. I also think the Seahawks' run-first offense is going to be able to protect an early lead. I like Seattle to pull off the road upset.
Mike Florio, **ProFootballTalk.com**: Cowboys 20, Seahawks 16
Florio: The Cowboys play better at home, and so do the Seahawks. Advantage home team, especially since the No. 5 seed is 4-4 away from the raucous, earthquake-inducing sounds of the Twelves. Dallas dismantled the Saints in Texas, and the Cowboys formula should work against a team with a very similar approach.
Scott Engel, **RotoExperts.com**: Seahawks 23, Cowboys 21
Engel: I see both running backs having very productive days, as Elliott will seize the spotlight and Carson is so physical at the point of attack and is very tough to slow down even against the best defenders. Cooper may have a few sizable gains and Beasley will keep the ball moving as well. This one is so evenly matched, though, that it will come down to QB play in the clutch, and that is where Wilson will prevail.Â
Jim Moore, **710Sports.com**: Seahawks 23, Cowboys 20 (OT)
Moore: I'm hoping the team facing the most pressure will feel it as the game goes on, and that's Dallas. Jason Garrett always seems to be on a hot seat, and the Cowboys' season will be considered a disappointment if they don't win at least one playoff game. The Seahawks? They're playing with house money. Even if they lose, it would still be a terrific season with plenty of hope for the future. Not many thought they'd even make the playoffs.
**ESPN.com**: Six experts think the Cowboys will win, while five experts pick the Seahawks to win.
Field Yates, ESPN NFL Insider: These teams are similar stylistically, as both want to run the football on offense. The Seahawks led the NFL in total rushing yards and rushing attempts, while Cowboys running back Ezekiel Elliott led all players in rushing yards and rushing attempts. This might prove to be a low-scoring affair, but the difference-maker is the home-field edge; the Cowboys -- catalyzed by a young and improving defense -- have won seven of eight games at home this season.
Kirstie Chiappelli, **Sporting News**: Seahawks 20, Cowboys 16
Chiappelli: Despite the Cowboys' late surge behind quarterback Dak Prescott and running back Ezekiel Elliott, the Seahawks still boast the league's top rushing game, thanks in large part to Chris Carson running for 1,151 yards and nine scores this season. The experience Russell Wilson brings to the table also can't be discounted, as the quarterback has played in six of Seattle's past seven playoff appearances.
Bob Condotta, **Seattle Times**: Cowboys 31, Seahawks 27
Condotta: These are two of the hottest teams in the NFL. While Seattle has won six of its last seven, the Cowboys have won seven of their last eight. Each also has a rusher among the top five in the NFL (Ezekiel Elliott, Chris Carson) and a passing attack that is more opportunistic than prolific. It's tough to bet against Russell Wilson — he's 8-4 in the postseason in his career. But this could be a bad matchup for Seattle going against a Dallas defense that ranks fifth in the NFL against the run and is playing at home. Seattle has beaten Dallas twice in the past year in the regular season, holding a 3-0 turnover edge in each game. If that continues, chalk up another win for the Seahawks. If not. ....
Mike Vorel, **Seattle Times**: Seahawks 24, Cowboys 20
Vorel: These teams mirror each other in a lot of ways. Both are determined to establish the run, both have stars on the second level of their defense and both enter the playoffs riding a wave of momentum. But only one has Russell Wilson. Only one has a collection of guys – albeit fewer of them than in previous seasons – that understands how to win playoff games. The Cowboys, meanwhile, have all the pressure in the world. They're expected to win. If they don't, there will be consequences. These young upstart Seahawks have so little to lose, and that's why they'll win.
Larry Stone, **Seattle Times**: Seahawks 20, Cowboys 17 (OT)
Stone: These teams appear to be extremely evenly matched in talent, momentum and M.O., so it stands to reason that they'll need extra time to decide this one. In the end, I give the edge to the playoff experience and big-game history of Russell Wilson. Sebastian Janikowski's leg will prove decisive once again.
Matt Calkins, **Seattle Times**: Cowboys 24, Seahawks 23
Calkins: I can't quite match the football analytical skills of Skip Bayless, who dismissed Russell Wilson's rushing skills this season because he didn't run for a touchdown, but I do know the power of home field in the NFL. On a neutral site, the Seahawks would be the Cowboys more often than not, but in a league of parity, that home environment is usually the difference in a game between two fairly evenly matched teams.
More Picks From Around The Web
- Six of eight experts at CBSSports.com pick the Seahawks to win straight up.
- The New York Times predicts a Cowboys win.
- SI.com's staff picks round-by-round playoff winners and projects a Super Bowl champion.
The Seahawks and Cowboys face off on Thursday Night Football, Nov. 30, 2023. Kickoff is set for 7:00 p.m. PT. Take a look back through history at the Seahawks' matchups against the Cowboys.
Seattle Seahawks receiver Joey Galloway (84) pulls in a 44-yard touchdown pass as Dallas Cowboys' Kevin Smith (26) defends on the play during the second quarter in Irving, Texas, Sunday, Nov. 22, 1998. (AP Photo/Bill Janscha)
Dallas Cowboys quarterback Troy Aikman (8) runs for a first down against Seattle Seahawks defenders Chad Brown (94) and Michael Sinclair (70) during the third quarter in Irving, Texas, Sunday, Nov. 22, 1998. The Cowboys won 30-22. (AP Photo/L M Otero)
Seattle Seahawks' Darrell Jackson (82) grabs a long fourth-quarter pass as Dallas Cowboys' Darren Woodson defends, Sunday, Dec. 16, 2001, in Seattle. The Seahawks scored on the next play and won, 29-3. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson)
Dallas Cowboys running back Emmitt Smith (22) goes down after crashing through the Seattle Seahawks line for an 11-yard run during the fourth quarter. Sunday, Oct. 27, 2002, in Irving, Texas. In the background is Seahawks corner back Ken Lucas (21). (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)
Seattle Seahawks' Rashad Moore (95) tries to knock down a pass by Dallas Cowboys quarterback Vinny Testaverde in the second quarter Monday, Dec. 6, 2004, in Seattle. The pass was incomplete. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson)
Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Darrell Jackson (82) eludes a tackle from Dallas Cowboys strong safety Lynn Scott and runs for a 35-yard pass reception that set up a two-yard touchdown reception by Jackson on the next play in the first quarter Monday, Dec. 6, 2004, at Qwest Field in Seattle. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson)
Seattle Seahawks' Ryan Hannam (83) comes up with the ball after catching a 1-yard touchdown pass to tie the score in the fourth quarter as Dallas Cowboys' Scott Shanle lays on the ground during the fourth quarter in Seattle, Sunday, Oct. 23, 2005. The Seahawks won 13-10 with a field goal in the last seconds of the game. (AP Photo/John Froschauer)
Seattle Seahawks quarterback Matt Hasselbeck (8) scrambles away from Dallas Cowboys' Jason Hatcher in the second quarter in an NFC wild-card playoff football game Saturday, Jan. 6, 2007, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson)
Dallas Cowboys' Tony Romo, right, botches the hold on a 19-yard field goal-attempt by Martin Gramatica as the Seattle Seahawks defend with 1:19 left in an NFC wild-card playoff football game Saturday, Jan. 6, 2007, in Seattle. Romo was forced to grab the ball and run, but was stopped at the 2. The Seahawks won, 21-20. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson)
Dallas Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo rolls over after fumbling on a hit by Seattle Seahawks' Ken Hamlin, right, with Grant Wistrom (98) picking up the ball behind during a botched field goal-attempt with 1:19 left in the game in an NFC wild-card playoff football in Seattle, Saturday, Jan. 6, 2007. The Seahawks went on to win, 21-20. (AP Photo/John Froschauer)
Seattle Seahawks' Ken Hamlin celebrates after a botched Dallas Cowboys field goal-attempt by the Cowboys with 1:19 left in the game in an NFC wild card playoff football in Seattle, Saturday, Jan. 6, 2007. Behind is kicker Martin Gramatica (7). (AP Photo/John Froschauer)
Seattle Seahawks' Jordan Babineaux celebrates after stopping Dallas Cowboys' Tony Romo following a botched field goal attempt late in an NFC wild-card playoff football game Saturday, Jan. 6, 2007, in Seattle. Babineaux has earned his teammates' nickname "Big Play Babs after a last-second play against Dallas last season, then the tackle of Romo that saved the Seahawks season. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson)
Dallas Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo scrambles away from the Seattle Seahawks defense during an NFL football game, Thursday, Nov. 27, 2008, in Irving, Texas. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)
Seattle Seahawks safety Deon Grant (24) makes a tackle on Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Patrick Crayton (84) following Crayton's reception in the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 1, 2009, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Donna McWilliam)
Seattle Seahawks' Marshawn Lynch jumps over Dallas Cowboys' Gerald Sensabaugh as the Cowboys' Alan Ball moves in for the tackle during the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Nov. 6, 2011, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Jim Cowsert)
Seattle Seahawks players break up a pass intended for Dallas Cowboys' Miles Austin, center, in the first half of an NFL football game on Sunday, Sept. 16, 2012, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Kevin P. Casey)
Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson (3) runs for a touchdown as Dallas Cowboys strong safety Jeff Heath goes down after missing the tackle in the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 12, 2014, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson)
Seattle Seahawks Doug Baldwin, right, blocks a punt by Dallas Cowboys punter Chris Jones that was run in for a touchdown by Seahawks' Mike Morgan in the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 12, 2014, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Scott Eklund)
Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson (3) finds running room as Dallas Cowboys defensive end Greg Hardy (76) gives chase during an NFL football game Sunday, Nov. 1, 2015, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Brandon Wade)
Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Tyler Lockett (16) gains yardage after a pass as Dallas Cowboys' Brandon Carr (39) gives chase in the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Nov. 1, 2015, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Michael Ainsworth)
Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Doug Baldwin (89) catches a touchdown pass in front of Dallas Cowboys' Chidobe Awuzie (33) in the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 24, 2017, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Ron Jenkins)
FILE - In this Sunday, Sept. 23, 2018, file photo, Seattle Seahawks running back Chris Carson rushes against the Dallas Cowboys during the first half of an NFL football game in Seattle. Carson rushed for 102 yards in the game. In consecutive weeks, the Seahawks produced 100-yard rushers. The novelty was it being two different backs, neither of which was rookie first-round pick Rashaad Penny. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson, File)
Seattle's Jacob Martin brings down Dallas quarterback Dak Prescott.
Captains for both teams meet at midfield for the opening coin toss.
Seattle's Doug Baldwin manages to keep both feet inbounds on this 22-yard reception in the third quarter to keep a drive alive.
Seattle special teams captain Neiko Thorpe keeps the ball from entering the end zone on a Michael Dickson punt and the Cowboys took over at the two-yard line.
Seattle's Mike Davis spikes the ball after scoring on a successful two-point conversion.
Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott (4) walks off the field at CenturyLink Field following an NFL football game against the Seattle Seahawks, Sunday, Sept. 23, 2018, in Seattle. (AP Photo/John Froschauer)
Seahawks receiver DK Metcalf atoned for an earlier fumble with this 29-yard touchdown reception from Russell Wilson.
Seahawks receiver Tyler Lockett breaks for more yardage after a second quarter catch.
Seahawks safety Ryan Neal, called up from the practice squad on Saturday, intercepts a pass in the end zone to seal Seattle's 38-31 win over the Cowboys.
Seahawks cornerback Shaquill Griffin flies through the air after an interception in the second quarter.
Seattle's Benson Mayowa recovered a Dak Prescott fumble and returned it to the Dallas five-yard line at the beginning of the second half.
Seahawks Jamal Adams and Jordyn Brooks hit Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott just as he releases the ball on a pass in the first quarter.
Seahawks receiver Penny Hart catches a 35-yard touchdown pass from Drew Lock in the first quarter.
Seahawks defender Myles Adams hits Dallas quarterback Cooper Rush as he releases the ball resulting in a QB hurry and incomplete pass.
Seahawks quarterback Drew Lock looks to the end zone.
After the game, Seahawks star receiver DK Metcalf and Cowboys star linebacker Micah Parsons exchanged jerseys.
