Seahawks (2-9) @ Cowboys (7-4)

By WagerWeb.com Contributing Writer

Sports Betting at WagerWeb Online Sportsbook

Thanksgiving Day’s second NFL game doesn’t appear to be a much better matchup than the opener, as Dallas is a 12.5-point favorite over sad Seattle on WagerWeb.com.

Frankly, there are no real reasons why the Cowboys shouldn’t win this game. Dallas hasn’t lost since Tony Romo returned from his finger injury, while the Seahawks – losers of seven of eight games - are staring at their first 10-loss season since 2000.

Romo and Terrell Owens got back on the same page in Sunday’s win over the 49ers, with Romo completing 23-of-39 passes for 341 yards and three touchdowns and T.O. having seven catches for 213 yards and one score after he had five straight games of 38 yards or less.

Seattle’s defense, mind you, is second-worst in the league against the pass (259.2 yards per game). Expect Seattle to give help to top CB Marcus Trufant in coverage and double cover Owens more often than San Francisco did.

Romo also loves playing on Turkey Day: He has led the Cowboys to victories in their last two Thanksgiving Day games. Dallas has won those games by an average of 29.5 points with the two-time Pro Bowler throwing for 501 yards, seven touchdowns and one interception. Romo has 12 TD passes in four games at Texas Stadium this season.

Meanwhile, Seattle QB Matt Hasselbeck is having the worst season of his career. The Seahawks, who are 31st in the league in total offense (263.9 ypg), have gained just 424 total yards in the two games since Hasselbeck returned from injury, and he has thrown five interceptions.

The Seahawks will start former Cowboys RB Julius Jones on Thursday, four days after being benched. Coach Mike Holmgren says he expects Jones to be motivated to play against his former team. Jones was dumped by Dallas last season before he became a free agent. This season, Jones has 637 yards rushing and two touchdowns in 11 games, including nine starts. Last week, Seattle RBs rushed for an average 7 yards per carry against a Redskins defense that ranked fifth in the NFL against the rush.

Maybe if Seattle can somehow control the ball for the entire third quarter on Thursday, it has a chance. The Seahawks have scored only one third-period touchdown in 11 games, and have been pummeled 81-19 in that quarter this season. They’ve played teams almost evenly (trailing only 196-188) in the other three quarters.

The Cowboys’ problem has been the first quarter. They have because scored just one first-quarter touchdown in their last six games. In that span, Dallas has been outscored 61-7.

Bet on Seahawks @ Cowboys