3TFO: Cowboys @ Seahawks, Week 2

The Cowboys and Seahawks each came into 2012 as NFC teams looking to find a few more wins than last year and a ticket to the playoffs, but they took very different steps in Week 1.

The Cowboys defeated the defending Super Bowl champions on the road to take a quick lead in the division and work their way towards holding tie-breaker rights if it comes down to that at season's end. On the other hand, the Seahawks found a way to lose to their division rival Cardinals, even though three members of the PFF core staff thought Seattle would make the playoffs while no one picked Arizona to make it.

For Dallas, a win would be another step toward early control of the NFC East, while for Seattle it would make sure they don’t dig themselves a hole that they could spend the rest of the season climbing out of. There are some great matchups to watch for in this one.

Cowboys Wide Receivers vs. Seahawks Cornerbacks

We have known for some time that Miles Austin (+0.4 receiving) and Dez Bryant (+1.4 receiving) are quality receivers, but it wasn’t until last week that we knew what Kevin Ogletree (+2.3 pass) is capable of. His 114-yard, two-touchdown display on national TV played a big factor in the Cowboys' victory as he took advantage of some Giants cornerbacks who were forced to the field by injuries.

Against the Seahawks, Dallas will be going up against a much higher quality set of corners. They are led by second-year player Richard Sherman (+1.8 coverage) who had an interception and pass defensed while covering Larry Fitzgerald last week. Opposite Sherman is Brandon Browner who had an equally amazing 2011, and allowed just two catches for 13 yards last week. Dallas may have to focus their passing game on the inside of the field. Keep in mind, Seahawks slot corner Marcus Trufant is still settling into the slot role after playing at the left outside spot for much of his career. In the Cowboys' three receiver sets, it was almost always Austin lining up in the slot, so if any receiver is in position to have a big game, it’s likely to be him.

Tyron Smith vs. Chris Clemons

Last year, Cowboys offensive tackle Tyron Smith (-3.1) took the league by storm at right tackle, and finished third in last years PFF Rookie of the Year race. This season he is transitioning to left tackle, and there were mixed results against the Giants. The biggest problem he had was the four penalties, including three false starts. He allowed three hurries, no sacks, and no hits and, while that's not the best day ever, when you consider the pass rushers he went up against I would call it a success.

He will have his hands full in this one, as for the majority of pass snaps it will be his job to block defensive end Chris Clemons (+7.0 pass rush). Clemens spent 46 of his 57 snaps last week lined up on the defense's right side (generating a sack, a hit, and five hurries on just 24 pass rushes), so chances are Smith will see Clemons early and often. The tackle who rarely allows pressure against the end who regularly racks it up; it will be interesting to see if Smith can shut down one of the Seahawks' top defensive assets.

Marshawn Lynch vs. Dallas' Linebackers

Over the last several games of the 2011 season, running back Marshawn Lynch (-3.5) stepped his game up a notch. Seattle started feeding him the ball more and he responded by posting 100-yard game after 100-yard game and the Seahawks gathered some wins. He is battling a back injury now, and with that didn’t have a strong first outing — his rushing average was lower than usual and he fumbled. While the passing game is struggling as it adjusts to a rookie quarterback in Russell Wilson, the Seahawks need Lynch to get healthy fast and return to his late 2011 form.

That might be easier said than done as he will be up against a rising star in the league in linebacker Sean Lee (+1.3 run defense) who started off 2012 with five stops. The team's second-round pick from the 2011 draft, Bruce Carter (+2.2 run defense), now joins Lee and is coming off his first start where he logged a pair of tackles for no gain. If that isn’t scary enough, outside linebackers DeMarcus Ware and Anthony Spencer are currently first and second in Run Stop Percentage for 3-4 outside linebackers at 15.8% and 10.5%. If these four can halt the Seattle run game, the Seahawks will be forced to the air, and you never want that to be the case with such a young quarterback early in the season