DALLAS vs. TAMPA BAY
Kickoff: Noon, Raymond James Stadium
TV: Noon, FOX
Radio: 9 a.m., 105.3 The Fan
Records: Dallas 2-6, Tampa Bay 3-5
Series: Cowboys lead, 13-1
Last meeting: Dallas, 16-10 (2012, in Arlington)
Betting line: Cowboys -1
Weather: 82 degrees, partly cloudy
The Cowboys have officially hit the halfway mark, but have a season worth of injuries and misery to date. Will six straight losses become seven? Let's see how these two teams match up:
Dallas offense vs. Tampa Bay defense
Cassel had his best game as a Cowboy as he threw for 299 yards and three touchdowns against the Eagles. Cole Beasley and Dez Bryant combined for 216 yards and three touchdowns. McFadden chipped in 117 rushing yards as he hit the century mark for the second time in three games.
After a slow first half, the Cowboys scored 20 points after halftime which is more than the previous six quarters combined. Is this Cassel and Co. finally getting on track or was the second half on Sunday a fluke?
If the Dallas offense is firing on all cylinders, it is a good time to face a Tampa Bay defense that allows 28.9 points per game (29th in NFL). Despite all the points, the Buccaneers are 11th in total defense. This unit is led by Linebacker Lavonte David who has 69 tackles, one sack and a forced fumble. Dallas native Jacquies Smith leads the team in sacks.
Tampa Bay has allowed 30+ points in five of their eight games.
Edge: DALLAS
Dallas defense vs. Tampa Bay offense
Another game with zero turnovers for this Dallas defense. After the Philly game, the Cowboys rank 16th in total defense and 21st in points allowed (25.5). To add insult to injury, leading tackler Sean Lee is most likely out with a concussion.
Tampa Bay's offense is led by a running attack that is seventh in the NFL with 131.9 yards per game. As a unit, the running backs are average 4.5 yards per carry and are led by Doug Martin (643 yards, 7 touchdowns).
Rookie Quarterback Jameis Winston has experienced typical struggles that come with being a first year quarterback in the NFL, but he also has had some nice moments. Of Winston's seven interceptions, six of them were in two games and he has four consecutive games without an INT. His favorite target is former Aggie Mike Evans who has 536 yards receiving, but only one touchdown after catching 12 last season.
To go along with Winston's ball security, he only has been sacked 14 times this season which is tied for 17th among NFL quarterbacks.
Edge: TAMPA BAY
Key match up
Matt Cassel vs. Bucaneers secondary: Tampa Bay's secondary features former Cowboy Sterling Moore as the Nickel cornerback and Alterraun Verner is the team's best cover corner. As Cassel looks to be more comfortable in the offense, he should have a good day against a secondary that allowed more than 300 yards and three touchdowns to Kirk Cousins.
Edge: DALLAS
Special teams
Dan Bailey remains perfect on the season. Lucky Whitehead had a 79-yard kickoff return against Eagles last week which is easily the longest return of the season for Dallas.
Returner Bobby Rainey is averaging more than 26 yards per kick return and averaging 11.5 per punt return. He is dangerous and could have a key role in this game. Kicker Connor Barth is 13 of 14 this season on field goal attempts.
Edge: TAMPA BAY
Intangibles
Tampa Bay is playing at home where they are 1-3 this season with the lone win coming against Jacksonville. Dallas is 1-2 on the road with one of those losses in overtime against the Saints.
Edge: PUSH
Prediction: Tampa Bay 27, Dallas 20
Eddie Middlebrook can be reached on Twitter @emiddlebrook.
