Bills at Cowboys
THE STORY: Both the Dallas Cowboys and the Buffalo Bills are about to embark on season-defining stretches. The winner of Sunday’s contest in Dallas will gain some much-needed momentum while the other will be left with more questions than answers. The Cowboys continued their inconsistent play with a 23-13 win over Seattle last week. The upstart Bills, led by former Cowboys coach Chan Gailey, came crashing back to earth with a 27-11 home loss to the New York Jets. This is the first of three games in 11 days for Dallas. For Buffalo, it marks the beginning of its first three-game road trip in 10 years.
TV: CBS, 1 p.m. ET. LINE: Cowboys -5.5, O/U 48
ABOUT THE COWBOYS (4-4): The Cowboys have no problem moving the ball, but finishing drives has been a problem. Dallas is second-to-last in the NFL in red-zone efficiency (38.4 percent) after drives of 96 and 86 yards ended in field goals last week. Rookie DeMarco Murray has rushed for 466 yards in three starts since Felix Jones (questionable-ankle) was injured. The Cowboys may have to lean on the new-found running game more with WR Miles Austin (hamstring) out two to four weeks. It’s not the same hamstring that kept him out two games earlier this season. Dallas' once top-ranked run defense has allowed 401 yards over the last two games. The return of LB Sean Lee (dislocated wrist), who leads the team in tackles (50) and interceptions (3), should help.
ABOUT THE BILLS (5-3): The Bills are looking to avoid losing consecutive games for the first time this season. Buffalo failed to score 20 points for the first time this season and committed a season-high three turnovers against the Jets. QB Ryan Fitzpatrick (191 yards) and RB Fred Jackson (96 yards, lost fumble) both had their worst days of the season. Jackson, who’s from nearby Fort Worth, Texas, still leads the AFC in rushing (803) and is second in the NFL in yards from scrimmage (1,194). The Bills have masked their defensive shortcomings (26th, 381.1 ypg) by recording the most interceptions in the AFC (15).
EXTRA POINTS:
1. Tony Romo threw a career-high five interceptions in the last meeting in 2007, but the Cowboys scored nine points in the final 20 seconds to claim a stunning 25-24 win.
2. Gailey went 18-14 and helped Dallas to two playoff appearances in two seasons (1998-99).
3. Buffalo has allowed the fewest sacks in the league (9), but LB DeMarcus Ware (12) will be the best pass rusher they have faced.