We’re about to find out how good Tony Romo really is. Seattle is against the ropes and they need help. There going to get help but it is going to come from three guys who weren’t playing in the NFL a week ago; Rich Gardner, Pete Hunter and John Howell. Remember these names. If Seattle wins, it will be because these guys did just enough to ensure that a patchwork secondary didn’t completely fall to pieces. Luckily, this isn’t some Invincible knockoff. All these guys have NFL experience. Will it be enough?

The key to this game will be the ability of Seattle’s defense to put pressure on Tony Romo. If Tony Romo gets time, he will be able to pick Seattle’s secondary apart. Seattle knows how to pressure quarterbacks. John Marshall’s unit is good at disguising their defensive schemes. This has allowed them to get to the quarterback 41 times, the sixth best sack total in the league. Romo has escape ability but lately his decision making has made him more of a liability than an asset. Romo will have to play a near perfect game if the Cowboys hope to win.

Seattle’s offense is starting to put it together. The offensive line is still banged up, but players like Rob Simms and Chris Spencer have stepped up big. Shaun is running progressively harder each week as he gets healthier. Matt Hasselback has improved, but his play at home has been erratic. His play should improve because Matt’s favorite target, Darrell Jackson, is listed as questionable but is expected to play. TE Jerramy Stevens and WR D.J. Hackett have also emerged as a reliable target for Hasselback. . The trio of Jackson, Deion Branch and Hackett, along with Stevens at TE, will be too much for the Cowboys’ secondary. If Romo plays well, this game will be a shootout and Alexander and Hasselback better have their six-shooters out if they want to win.

The Dallas defense has playmakers that need to be accounted for. LB DeMarcus Ware had another stellar season, posting 11.5 sacks. S Roy Williams leads the team with five interceptions. While there are playmakers, the unit as a whole is underachieving. Hasselback and company will take everything the Dallas defense gives them. That could mean a lot of points.

Everyone knows that stats and matchups and have read the predictions. Seattle is simply playing like a team that wants it more. While both teams stumbled their way into the playoffs, Seattle was stumbling a bit more gracefully. Being at Qwest Field is a big advantage for Seattle. Seattle is susceptible to the big play and the Cowboys have big play recievers, so if the Seahawks can’t get pressure on Romo, then the crowd could be taken out of it early. Seattle wants to get back to the big game and they deserve it after what happened last year. Prediction: 27-20, Seattle by seven.

A little tidbit from Deadspin. Looks like a lot of the experts are picking “The Tuna” and Tony Homo to go into Seattle and come away victorious. Unfortunately, ESPN Accuscore Game Forecast is also picking the Cowboys. That thing is money. As a matter of fact, during the regular season, Accuscore was better than all but one ESPN analyst. Proving that a poor man’s version of the Madden ‘07 simulate game option is more reliable than 98% of the staff at ESPN.

Despite these incredible odds, I’m still picking the Seahawks to win. You can’t beat Vegas and Vegas is picking the ‘Hawks! 27-20, Seattle by seven.