Gobble Gobble: Getting to Know the Dallas Cowboys

For anyone that has been a regular visitor of this fine site throughout the course of this season you have probably stumbled across a few of my pieces previewing the upcoming Raiders matchups. I have dived into these in great depth and with gusto. Trying to use statistical analysis to break down the key matchups that will determine the winner of the upcoming game.

Well, after doing this off and on this year, I have learned a valuable lesson: It is useless to use logic when assessing the chances of the '09 Oakland Raiders. The only thing consistent about this squad is their inconsistency-well, that and their knack to following up a rare and precious, hope inspiring, victory with a huge dud of a game!

At least we can't blame them for drawing out our hopes, only to slowly crush them.

I am going to preview this special Thanksgiving game in a slightly different fashion and with much less in-depth analysis.

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First, a quick look at the history that is relevant to this matchup.

The Cowboys have won three straight on, Screw-the-natives-day, I mean Thanksgiving, and have outscored their opponent 106-22.

The, thanks-for-the-food-we'll-take-your-land-now-day, winning streak began against the Buccaneers in '06. A Bucs team that was QB'd by one B. Gradkowski. Grad went 10-of-20 for 120 yards with no touchdowns and two interceptions.

The Raiders last played on Thanksgiving in 1970, when they dropped a 28-14 decision to the historically mighty Detroit Lions. Oakland is 3-2 all-time on turkey day. They last tasted victory turkey in 1969.

The Raiders are 6-3 in regular season meetings against the hated Cowboys from Dallas. The last meaningful meeting was a 19-13 home win for the Raiders in 2005. The Raiders are 3-0 playing against the Cowboys in Dallas and were 13-12 winners when they last visited Big D, in 1998.

Also, the Raiders dominated the Cowboys in the first game of the season (pre that is) 31-10-clearly proving that the Cowboys are no match for the Raiders. That being said, let's take a quick look at some of the areas to watch.

Cowboys Offense

Tony Romo played through some sort of back problems last week. He has been given the green light for the Raiders game, but the Raiders need to introduce him to the turf. Make Romo remember his back is hurting. I am sure Greg Ellis would be more than happy to assume this job.

To do this, the Raiders are going to have to stop the Dallas run game. While the offense has been struggling like Kate Moss around Thanksgiving pie (11.3 points over its past three games) the run game has been decent-they picked up 4.9 yards per carry last week against the Redskins.

Dallas's passing offense is another story. After bursting onto the scene, Miles Austin has disappeared in the last three. Romo's most consistent target and main amigo, Jason Whitten, hasn't had more than 50 yards in any of his past four games. While Roy Williams had a bit of resurgence, he did his best DHB impersonation last week going catchless, but not dropless.

Cowboys Defense

Their defense has been keeping teams out of the endzone but giving up yards. The strength of the Cowboys team is the pass rush. The Raiders have actually been doing a solid job of pass protecting the last few weeks and they will be tested in this one.

If the Raiders can provide some time for Grad-man, he could have some open targets roaming in the depleted Cowboy secondary. Safety Ken Hamlin and cornerback Mike Jenkins are both doubtful.

The Cowboys have been playing solid run defense all year.

Enough of these items that probably won't matter anyway!

Like the hopeful girl said to the boy pretending to pay attention to something other than cleavage: Let's get to know each other on a level that actually means something.

Like the hopeful girl said to the boy pretending to pay attention to something other than cleavage: Let’s get to know each other on a level that actually means something.