Game 15: Cowboys vs. Ravens

Both of these two teams come into this game at 9-5 and are both fighting for playoff spots. This is the last home regular season game in Dallas (and most likely the last home game period).

Quarterback Comparison

Name	QB Rating	Comp-Att	Comp %	Yards	TD-Int	Fumbles
Tony Romo	98.3	231-366	63.1%	3,013	24-11	9
Joe Flacco	76.9	223-380	58.7%	2,525	13-12	10

Tony Romo is the superior QB between these two anyway you try to slice it... He should have a strong impact as to how this game goes for the Cowboys.

Rushing Comparison

Name	Carries	Yards	TDs	Catches	Yards	TDs
Marion Barber	233	872	7	49	390	2
Le'Ron McClain	185	693	7	18	119	1

Both of these teams use running back committees, so simply looking at the primary back really doesn't do justice as to how the rushing offense really works for these two teams. We know the Cowboys have been using Barber, Felix Jones (out - injury), and Tashard Choice with excellent results. I give a slight edge to the Raven's tandem of McClain, Willis McGahee, and Ray Rice.

Receiving Comparison

Name	Catches	Yards	TDs	Fumbles
Terrell Owens	58	886	9	1
Jason Witten	69	815	3	0
Patrick Crayton	33	458	4	1
Derrick Mason	68	894	4	1
Mark Clayton	33	532	3	0
Todd Heap	30	354	3	1

The Cowboys have the better numbers in receiving, with both Owens and Witten leading the way. Mason is a threat for the Ravens. Cowboys own the edge.

Defense Comparison

Name	Tackles	Sacks	Ints-TD	Deflections
DeMarcus Ware	74	19.0	0-0	2
Bradie James	100	6.0	0-0	4
Terence Newman	29	0.0	4-0	8
Terrell Suggs	59	7.5	2-2	8
Ray Lewis	104	3.0	3-0	9
Ed Reed	37	1.0	5-2	12

The Ravens and Cowboys seem pretty evenly matched on defense. The Cowboys have a better pass rush but the Ravens have better pass coverage. That's what the stats tell me. I do try to not be biased in my predictions and evaluations, however it would seem apparent that the Cowboys do have a slight edge on defense, simply due to having DeMarcus Ware.

Forecast: First off, there is the intangible of this being the last Texas Stadium game. Cowboys are at home, with a special game, a monumental game, some would say, so they are going to pull out all the stops in trying to be a victor over the Ravens. This game does have playoff implications as well. A lot of intangibles going into the Cowboys favor. And the Cowboys win this following up a major upset over the Giants. Score: 26-24.

Home Field