Cowboys-Colts: 5 things to watch
1 Controlling fate
The Dallas Cowboys took control of the NFC East by beating the Eagles last week. Now they’ve got a stranglehold on the division with Philly’s loss Saturday. However, Dallas could miss the playoffs if it loses its last two games. But the Cowboys also know they have an opportunity at a first-round bye if they win out, so expect them to be prepared.
2 Controlling Luck
Andrew Luck is the league’s leading passer and one of the promising young stars in the NFL. The Cowboys’ defense has a suspect secondary that Luck will surely try to exploit. But safety J.J. Wilcox is coming off one of his best games, forcing two turnovers, and it seems like the defense is playing with more confidence. After all, disaster was averted last week with turnovers and sacks.
3 Keep on pounding
The Cowboys didn’t have much success running the ball against Philadelphia, as DeMarco Murray had a season-low yards-per-carry average (2.6). But they have to stick to what’s gotten them to this point, and that’s running the ball. Expect a heavy dose of Murray, hand injury or not, and/or the other backs against the Colts.
4 Pay the man
Dez Bryant proved yet again that he is among the top receivers in the game, hauling in three touchdown catches with relative ease against the Eagles. It was one of Bryant’s biggest games of his career and a sign that he is in peak form for the stretch run. All this should mean more money for Bryant, too, who is in a contract year.
5 Extend the man
It seems like a mere formality that Jason Garrett will receive an extension. And he should. Garrett has turned the Cowboys into contenders in a season in which most thought they would struggle to get back to the 8-8 mark. Getting Garrett’s contract worked out should be done fairly quickly whenever the season ends.
This story was originally published December 20, 2014 at 5:07 PM with the headline "Cowboys-Colts: 5 things to watch."