That Thanksgiving Day game between the Seahawks and Cowboys look less and less enticing with each passing week. Both teams suffered resounding road losses in which the backup quarterback for each team started.
Marion Barber and the Cowboys had all kinds of issues in a stunning 34-14 loss to the once-lowly Rams. Barber had possibly the quietest 100 yard rushing day in a long time as he ran 18 times for 100 yards and an opening drive touchdown. He also caught a pass for 13 yards and had a costly fumble near the end of the 1st quarter which led to a Rams field goal. The 100 yards rushing is a bit deceiving because 35 of those yards came on one play, meaning that for the rest of the game, Barber rushed 17 times for 65 yards. Barber putting the ball on the ground is turning into a issue, as he fumbled for the fifth time this season, losing his second. The way this team is performing right now, the last thing the Cowboys can afford is the star running back putting the ball on the ground. This is something that needs to be corrected soon.
Sunday night, Julius Jones and the Seahawks had a truly putrid offensive showing, amassing just 176 yards total offense in a 20-10 loss to the Bucs. Jones accounted for 42 of those yards on just 7 carries and added 1 reception for -5 yards, meaning he netted just 37 yards for the game. Hey, at least he didn’t fumble! Jones eems to be frustrated with his role, because, according to the Bellingham Herald, Julius began to air out his frustration about the lack of offense and directed some of his criticism at head coach Mike Holmgren. Jones went to Seattle to be the feature back and with the injuries at quarterback, you would think he would more chances to be just that. After getting just eight touches in a road game in which Seneca Wallace is your starting quarterback has to be a bit disturbing for Jones. Definitely a situation to keep track of there.
This week, the Seahawks stay on the road as they take on the Mike Singletary-led 49ers, while the Cowboys come home to face the Bucs at high noon.
Stats through Week 6
Rushing
Marion Barber rushing: 128 carries, 540 yards, 5 TDs
Julius Jones rushing: 97 carries, 459 yards, 2 TDs
Receiving
Marion Barber receiving: 26 catches, 247 yards, 2 TD
Julius Jones receiving: 8 catches, 43 yards, 0 TDs
Fumbles
Marion Barber: 5 (2 lost)
Julius Jones: 0
Info gathered from Yahoo! Sports and the Bellingham Herald
