Seahawks-Cowboys Q&A with The Landry Hat expert Steven Mullenax

The Seahawks versus the Cowboys should be a tight game and we previewed the game with The Landry Hat expert Steven Mullenax.

The Seahawks are 2-0 and coming off a thrilling last-second win (OK, they saved the win in the last second). But the Cowboys also won in dramatic fashion on Sunday against the Falcons. Both teams have great offenses and not very good pass rushes so this appears to be another shoot out game like Seattle and New England.

In order to prepare for what the Cowboys will bring to CenturyLink against the Seahawks on Sunday, I exchanged questions with The Landry Hat Cowboys expert Steven Mullenax to get a Dallas perspective.

1.  The Cowboys and Seahawks appear to have the same issue: Very little pass rush. Can the Cowboys fix this for week three and how?

Steven Mullenax: I believe the answer is time, On paper, the Cowboys possess one of the league’s top pass-rushing units with DeMarcus Lawrence, Aldon Smith, and Everson Griffen. Yet, the team has only posted 2.0 sacks in as many games. But let’s not forget that this team is under new management, with a new head coach in Mike McCarthy and a new defensive coordinator in Mike Nolan. Throw in an offseason training program that went entirely virtual and no preseason games to play, this unit has had little time to build chemistry or a rhythm. It’s probably best to view these first few weeks of the regular season more like preseason games. If so, the Dallas pass rush should be hitting their stride soon.

2. What would be two of a Cowboys fan’s biggest worries going into the Seahawks game (one obviously might be Russell Wilson)?

Steven Mullenax: Yes, Russell Wilson is on a tear, leading the NFL with nine passing touchdowns in his first two games. That’s a major concern considering the Cowboys will be without two starting cornerbacks in Chidobe Awuzie and Anthony Brown due to injury. This is a secondary in Dallas that allowed quarterback Matt Ryan of the Atlanta Falcons to record 273 passing yards, four touchdowns and no interceptions in Week Two. I believe the other worry would be the Cowboys’ offensive line as injuries have sidelined starting offensive tackles Tyron Smith and La’el Collins. Brandon Knight and undrafted rookie free agent Terence Steele started in their place last week. While Smith could make his return against the Seahawks, Collins is currently on Injured Reserve.

3. Conversely, what would be a couple of reasons Cowboys fans should have high hopes for beating the Seahawks?

Steven Mullenax: I’m not sure there are any. The Cowboys could easily be 0-2 entering this matchup if not for some end-game heroics against the Falcons in Week Two. This is a team decimated by injuries at key positions and not getting productive play at others. The hope would be that the Cowboys can ride the momentum from their come-from-behind victory against Atlanta and carry it over to Seattle. Also, fans have to hope that as this team continues to play together, the better the results will be simply due to their lack of a proper training program and a preseason to work out the kinks.

4. Who are two or three Cowboys who 12s might not know well who could have a big impact on Sunday’s game?

Steven Mullenax: Linebacker Joe Thomas did a solid job filling in for the injured Leighton Vander Esch last week against the Falcons. Expect to hear his name often. And tight end Dalton Schultz put on a show over the weekend, replacing the injured Blake Jarwin, who is out for the season. Schultz recorded a career-high nine receptions for 88 yards and his first NFL touchdown in Week Two. With their offensive line compromised, offensive coordinator Kellen Moore seemed to make the third-year tight end a bigger part of the gameplan. This trend could continue in Seattle.

5. Who wins between the Seahawks and Cowboys, why and what will be the final score?

Steven Mullenax: I expect this to be a high-scoring affair, with both offenses taking advantage of the other’s struggling defenses. I think it will come down to which team has the most offensive weapons. I’m giving the edge to the Cowboys due to running back Ezekiel Elliott. As long as Dallas is able to maintain the lead or at least keep things close, I believe the team will rely heavily on Elliott to sustain long drives, eat up the clock, and win time of possession thereby limiting Russell Wilson‘s opportunities. That’s obviously easier said than done. Dallas Cowboys 34, Seattle Seahawks 31.