Check out which side the national media is predicting to win Sunday's game between the Seahawks and Cowboys.
Elliot Harrison at NFL.com picks the Cowboys to win by a touchdown, 30-23, calling on Dallas to win on the strength of its run game behind returning starter Ezekiel Elliott, "Since Elliott's suspension started in Week 10, Dallas has boasted the NFL's 30th-ranked offense. They were eighth before he departed. Read into that what you must."
Brady Henderson at ESPN.com projects a 26-21 win for the Cowboys, "The Seahawks' run defense is trending in a bad direction heading into Sunday's meeting with the Cowboys and Ezekiel Elliott, who will be back from a six-game suspension. What galled coach Pete Carroll the most about the Seahawks' demoralizing 42-7 loss to the Rams was how they were gashed by Todd Gurley & Co. to the tune of 244 yards rushing, the most against Seattle since 2010. It also marked the second consecutive week in which a running back has topped 100 yards against Seattle. Having linebacker K.J. Wright back from a concussion will help, and the Seahawks figure to put up a good fight, given that they need to win out to maintain any shot at the playoffs. But their defense is still missing several key players whose absences appear to have finally caught up to the Seahawks."
Todd Archer at ESPN.com gives the Cowboys a seven-point edge, 27-20, "At the start of the season, this would have been considered one of the Cowboys' most difficult games, because of Seattle's historically strong defense. Without Richard Sherman, Kam Chancellor and Cliff Avril over their past five outings, however, the Seahawks have given up 25.8 points per game and 134.2 yards on the ground. The Cowboys welcome back Ezekiel Elliott from a six-game suspension on Sunday. He needs 87 yards to put up the most rushing yards in the first two seasons by a Cowboys runner. Emmitt Smith had 2,500 in 1991-92 on his way to becoming the NFL's all-time leading rusher. Elliott will run the ball well, and his return will open the play-action game down the middle of the field for tight end Jason Witten."
Pete Prisco at CBSSports.com predicts a 26-17 Cowboys victory, "These two are still alive, which makes this a playoff game of sorts. The Seahawks are a shell of the team we've come to expect. Dallas gets Ezekiel Elliott back, and I think he runs wild. The Cowboys stay alive."
David Steele at Sporting News sees a more low-scoring affair, predicting a 17-15 win for the Cowboys, "Here the Cowboys are now, on a three-game win streak and with Elliott back. Dak Prescott is no longer an anchor around the offense's neck. Dez Bryant keeps popping up and resembling his old self. The Seahawks, meanwhile, have been a shadow of their old selves the last two weeks. If they're going to find themselves, this is their last real chance."
Chris Simms at BleacherReport.com has the Cowboys winning 28-24, "The Dallas Cowboys have been opening up holes in the run game, and Dak Prescott is playing well. Dallas really dominated the Oakland Raiders last week but made a few critical mistakes that allowed the Raiders to stay in the game. If the Cowboys avoid those mistakes, they'll beat the Seattle Seahawks."
Michael David Smith and Mike Florio at ProFootballTalk.com each project a double-digit win for Dallas.
Sam Farmer at the Los Angeles Times expects the Cowboys to win 28-24.Â
All 10 experts at ESPN.com are siding with the Cowboys this week, two of eight analysts at CBSSports.com think Seattle wins, and one of five writers at USA Today picks the Seahawks.
