The playoff race in the NFC intensifies, as the NFC's Thursday Night Football features a showdown between the Seattle Seahawks, with a 6-5 record, and the Dallas Cowboys, with an 8-3 record.
The Cowboys currently hold the top wild card spot in the conference, while Seattle is two games back, but clinging to the final playoff spot.
Both teams played on Thanksgiving Day; the Seahawks lost at home to the San Francisco 49ers 31-13. The Cowboys defeated the Washington Commanders 45-10 as 13.5-point favorites.
Seahawks Look to Postseason
The Seahawks are hanging on to their playoff chances in the NFC. They currently occupy last place, but have not been favored recently. They have lost three of their last four games, including the last two against NFC West opponents.
Geno Smith struggled on Thanksgiving Day against the 49ers; his first five possessions gained a total of 15 yards. Smith ranks 15th in the NFL in total passing yards and averages 234.9 yards per game through the air. He has a 12-8 touchdowns-to-interceptions ratio this season and has completed 65.4% of his passes.
Smith has been limited the last two weeks, averaging just 206.5 yards per game with a 1-1 touchdown-to-interception ratio in two losses. He also has solid targets on the outside; DK Metcalf is a strong receiver with size, averages 67.8 yards per game with three touchdowns and has 10 receptions of at least 20 yards.
Tyler Lockett gets the job done in the middle, adding 52.3 yards per game. Freshman Jaxon Smith-Njigba has started to stand out, adding another 36.9 yards per game. Kenneth Walker II is their leading rusher, rushing for 61.3 yards per game and has six touchdowns.
The Seahawks rank 20th in the NFL in scoring at 20.8 points per game, and their defense ranks 22nd allowing 22.6 points per game.
Star linebacker Bobby Wagner leads the team in tackles with 113 on the season, and linebacker Boye Mafe leads the team in catches with seven.
No player on defense has more than two interceptions on the year. Their defense has 15 fumble recoveries on the season, and their offense has turned the ball over 13 times.
Throwback on Thursday Night.#GoHawks x @AAA_Washington pic.twitter.com/968rOCmLUg
- Seattle Seahawks (@Seahawks) November 30, 2023
Cowboys Seek Back-to-Back Victories
The Cowboys are still chasing the NFC East-leading Philadelphia Eagles, but are putting themselves in good position for a playoff spot. They have won five of their last six games, including the last three games leading up to this Thursday night showdown.
Dallas easily dismantled Washington on Thanksgiving Day, and cornerback DaRon Bland made headlines by setting a record for most interceptions returned for touchdowns in a season.
Dak Prescott ranks sixth in the NFL in total passing yards and averages 266.8 yards per game. He has an impressive 23-to-6 touchdowns-to-interceptions ratio and has completed 70.0% of his passes.
Prescott has been on fire lately; on the streak of three straight wins, he is averaging 308.0 yards per game with a 9-1 touchdown-to-interception ratio. CeeDee Lamb just surpassed 1,000 yards receiving on the season; he's averaging 96.9 yards per game with six touchdowns.
Lamb is Prescott's favorite receiver, as he has over 500 yards more than the next highest receiver. Brandin Cooks is that next man up at receiver, adding 45.2 yards per game with four touchdowns.
Tony Pollard has been the best running back all season for Dallas; he adds 60.8 yards per game out of the backfield with four touchdowns.
Dallas leads the NFL in scoring with 31.5 points per game, and its defense ranks fourth by allowing just 16.8 per game.
Linebacker Damone Clark leads the team in tackles with 75, while Micah Parsons has been a monster in the backfield leading the team with 11.5 catches.
DaRon Bland has seven interceptions on the season, five of which he took home. Dallas' defense has 22 fumble recoveries on the season, and its offense has turned the ball over 14 times.