The Seahawks are back in the playoffs for the seventh time in nine years under head coach Pete Carroll and general manager John Schneider, and they head to Dallas this weekend looking to also make it seven trips to at least the Divisional Round of the playoffs in the past nine years.
Getting past Dallas in the Wild Card round won't be an easy task, however, not while facing a team that won seven of its final eight games to wrap up the NFC East title. To learn more about the Cowboys and how they turned things around, we reached out to DallasCowboys.com staff writer David Helman:
Q: OK, let's just start with the big-picture question: how did a team that started the year 3-5 end up winning seven of eight down the stretch to win the division?
Helman: Honestly, those of us that cover this team are still trying to figure that out. I think it's a combination of improving the offensive personnel, as well as young guys stepping up. The Cowboys obviously traded for Amari Cooper, and that has been a big boost for the passing game. But it's not as if Cooper is doing all the lifting. Cooper's presence opened things up for Ezekiel Elliott—who not only finished with the NFL rushing title, but quietly caught 77 passes for 567 yards this year. Elliott and Cooper playing like Pro Bowlers has made life easier on Dak Prescott, who played far better in the second half of the season. Throw in some big contributions from youngsters like Michael Gallup and Blake Jarwin, and it's been enough to lift the offense. The defense was already good before all of this happened, so needless to say, giving them better offensive production to work with has paid dividends.
Q: Does the lack of playoff success in recent years put extra pressure on this team, or does the pressure pretty much always stay the same, this being the Dallas Cowboys and all?
Helman: There's always going to be pressure on a franchise with such a storied history, but make no mistake: there is even more than usual right now. Keep in mind, it was only two years ago that the Cowboys won 11 games in a row, finished the season 13-3—and then went one-and-done in the playoffs. Every single member of this fanbase remembers that. I think it's fair to say they're haunted by it, to be honest. For all their regular season success in recent seasons, the Cowboys have just two playoff wins in the last decade. They haven't played in an NFC Championship Game since 1996. It doesn't matter how young this team is, or what injuries they're dealing with. Making the playoffs simply isn't good enough.
Q: Amari Cooper wasn't on the Cowboys roster the last time these teams faced off, how big of a difference has he made for that offense?
Helman: I don't think you can underscore just how much he has done, and it reflects in more ways than just his statistical performance. Obviously, he has played well. In just nine appearances, he has caught 53 balls for 725 yards and six touchdowns—including a 217-yard, three-touchdown performance that almost single-handedly beat Philadelphia. But on top of that, he has opened things up for Elliott. Before, opponents could crowd the box to slow down the run, confident that the Cowboys' receivers couldn't make them pay. Cooper has changed that, demanding double coverage and safety help. It's been a real shot in the arm for the passing game, but the trickle-down effect on the run game has been just as big.
Q: The Cowboys have one of the league's best run defenses this season, how big a factor are those young linebackers in that success, and how big a test will Seattle's running game be for them?
Helman: There are two main components I look at. The play of the Cowboys' defensive tackles has been instrumental. Maliek Collins and Antwaun Woods have been great at penetrating the pocket and affecting the quarterback, but they've also been great at eating up blocks. That's crucial, because as athletic as Jaylon Smith and Leighton Vander Esch are, they haven't completely mastered the art of shedding blocks. Fortunately for them, they've got solid line play in front of them, and when they're uncovered they are scary. With all due respect to Bobby Wagner and K.J. Wright, among others, I'm not sure there's a more athletic duo of linebackers in the NFL than these two guys. Seattle's success is going to hinge on the ability of their offensive line to get to the second level, in my opinion. Because if Smith and Vander Esch are free to roam, rushing yards will likely be hard to come by.
Q: Now that he has a full season under his belt, what has former Seahawks defensive coordinator Kris Richard brought to the Cowboys defense?
Helman: If you want proof of Kris Richard's impact on this team, look no further than Byron Jones' spot in the Pro Bowl. One year ago at this time, Jones was riding the bench as a rotational safety. Today, he's one of the best cover corners in the NFL. Richard clearly has an eye for the type of talent that fits his scheme, and he has also brought intensity to this group. I probably don't need to tell anyone who follows the Seahawks how much fire Richard brings to the sideline, and I think that has rubbed off on this young roster. There's not a ton of playoff experience on this defense, but Richard has these guys playing with confidence beyond their years.
Q: Did you get your picture taken with the Ken Griffey Jr. statue when you were here in September?
(Note: As his Twitter followers already know, Helman is a pretty diehard Mariners fan despite being a New Orleans native currently living in Texas Rangers country).
Helman: Unfortunately, I didn't. The team stayed way out in Renton, so I didn't make it over to Safeco … er, T-Mobile. Whatever, I'm still gonna call it Safeco. I did make it up to Husky Stadium for a Washington game, though. So that was cool. The plan is definitely to make a trip up there for a series in the spring.
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.
