in NFL Free Picks

This game should be labeled the "Disappointment Bowl," the way these two inconsistent teams have played all season. The Dallas Cowboys are reeling, entering this game coming off consecutive losses and losing three out of their last four.

The Seahawks on the other hand, while losing three of their last four as well, seem to have some semblance of hope as they are getting healthy at just the right time. Either way, this is a game that is ripe for the taking - for either team.

Here is a look at the upcoming matchup as well as my prediction on the outcome.

Dallas Cowboys (9-7)
Dallas has allowed more points (132) and more yards (425 per game) over the past four games than any team in the league and are one Terrell Owens outburst away from coming apart at the seams.

If the Cowboys are to win this game, they will have to correct their problems on both sides of the football. Offensively, the NFL's No. 6 team in total offense (6,003 yards) and No. 4 team in scoring offense (26.6 points per game) has looked extremely shaky as of late behind Pro Bowl quarterback Tony Romo.

Romo lost two fumbles, suffered an interception and was sacked a season-high four times Dec. 31 against Philadelphia and has not been able to provide the same spark he brought to the team when he became the starting quarterback in Week 8.

The Cowboys went 4-1 under Romo in his first five starts, when he completed 71.2 percent of his passes for 1,394 yards, 10 touchdowns and two interceptions for a 115.8 passer rating. His past five games however, have been a bummer. Romo has completed 60.5 percent for 1,247 yards, six TDs and eight picks for a 77.1 passer rating, while leading Dallas to only two victories.

Defensively the Cowboys have played surprisingly soft the last few weeks, giving up chunks of yardage on the ground and through the air. The Cowboys pass rush has been almost non-existent the last six weeks and, when combined with their atrocious pass defense, it's easy to see why they’ve been in a freefall as of late. If the 'Boys don't get some pressure on Seattle quarterback, Matt Hasselbeck, then this could turn into a rout.

Seattle Seahawks (9-7)
The Seahawks may have won the NFC West for the third consecutive season, but they are still trying to recover from losing running back Shaun Alexander and Hasselbeck for long stretches earlier in the season.

No matter, if Hasselbeck and the Seahawks' receivers can regain their rhythm, they should be able to take advantage of the Cowboys suspect secondary. Look for Seattle to create matchup problems on the perimeter with their quartet of wide receivers Deion Branch, Darrell Jackson, Nate Burleson, Bobby Engram and D.J. Hackett. If given time in the pocket, Hasselbeck will be able to spread the field with four-wide receiver sets and create mismatches that the Seahawks should be able to exploit.

Defensively, the Seahawks aren't reeling quite as bad as the Cowboys, but they are battling some recent injuries that may have leveled the playing field defensively.

Starting cornerback Kelly Herndon (broken ankle) was lost for the postseason in the final regular season game and backup Jimmy Williams (knee) suffered injuries that will keep him out of the playoffs as well. Starting cornerback Marcus Trufant is battling a high ankle sprain that could keep him out of this game as well.

While the Seahawks have allowed only 903 passing yards in its last five regular-season games, the losses of Herndon, Williams and Trufant could open up the passing game for Romo, Terrell Owens and Terry Glenn.

Again, this is a game that both teams have a realistic chance of winning. However, the Cowboys seem to be headed in the wrong direction, while the Seahawks finally seem to be getting healthy at just the right time - at least offensively.

Seattle most recently:
When playing in January are 4-6
When playing on turf are 7-3
After outgaining opponent are 8-2
When playing outside the division are 6-4

A few trends to consider:
The total has gone OVER in 8 of Dallas's last 10 games on the road
Dallas is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games on the road
Dallas is 4-2 ATS in its last 6 games when playing Seattle
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Dallas's last 6 games
Seattle is 15-3 SU in its last 18 games at home
The total has gone OVER in 10 of Seattle's last 14 games
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Seattle's last 7 games at home
Seattle is 8-3-1 ATS in its last 12 games at home

Eric Williams is a sports columnist for the Philadelphia Sunday Sun, and Sr. NBA analyst for basketball.com as well as a nationally syndicated freelance writer for both, print and online publications who can be heard weekly on BetUs.com radio at 2:15 eastern each Wednesday.

{$nfl-lines-Dallas Cowboys$}

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