Dallas offense vs. Indianapolis defense

	COWBOYS OFFENSE
	Ranking in the NFL:
	Run	11
	Pass	17
	Tot. Yds.	13
	Scoring	4
	Int's allowed	8
	Sacks allowed	7
	COLTS DEFENSE
	Ranking in the NFL:
	vs. Run	15
	vs. Pass	25
	Total yds. allowed	21
	No. of INTs	4
	No. of Sacks	15
	Turnover differential	-10

Dallas QB Troy Aikman threw for 244 yards, two touchdowns, zero interceptions and ran for a touchdown against the Redskins last Sunday. Part of Aikman's stellar performance can be attributed to the play of the offensive line, which surrendered no sacks in Dallas' 38-20 victory. The Cowboy interior line dominated the Redskin DTs, allowing Dan Wilkinson and Dana Stubblefield a total of two tackles over the course of the game. OC Mark Stepnoski and ROG Everett McIver will have their work cut out for them this week against the Colts' defense, which as a unit is allowing 97.8 yards per game on the ground and is anchored by DT Ellis Johnson and DE Chad Bratzke, who have combined for 8.5 sacks on the season.

With Dallas' passing game hampered by the injury to WR Michael Irvin, look for the 'Boys to establish the run early with RB Emmitt Smith. If Dallas is successful on the ground, the Cowboys will use play-action fakes and look up top to WR Rocket Ismail, who has been a savior for the Dallas offense this season. The Cowboys should also look to get WR Jeff Ogden matched up against Indy RDC Tyrone Poole, and use Ogden's speed downfield for big plays. Irvin will be missed not only for his receiving ability, but also for his blocking, as it is his work against corners and safeties that often allows Emmitt Smith to get free.

The Indianapolis defense has been a pleasant surprise this season. The addition of Bratzke has given the Colts a much needed presence on the end against both the pass and the run, and the constant double-teaming that Bratzke faces has opened things up for his line mates. Defensive coordinator Vic Fangio has installed a rotation at the DT position, with back-ups Larry Chester and Bernard Whittington seeing considerable playing time. This rotation has kept the defensive line fresher, and has enabled the Colts to hold opponents to an average of less than 100 rushing yards per game.

The Colt front four will be challenged this week by Dallas' massive offensive line, and will need to use stunts and slants to avoid being pushed all over the field. If Bratzke and company can engage the Cowboy OL at the point of attack and not get driven off the football, it will allow the team's linebackers to come up and make plays. One guy who has been making a lot of plays is Indianapolis ROLB Mike Peterson, a rookie, who leads the team in tackles over the last three weeks since becoming a starter. LOLB Cornelius Bennett will be tested this week, as he will line up over Dallas TE David LaFleur, who is starting to come into his own as a receiver.

When Harrison isn't available, Indianapolis QB Peyton Manning is perfectly capable of finding his secondary receivers -- Manning has completed passes to nine different teammates this season. The Colts need to be effective throwing the football early because SS Darren Woodson will be forced to favor the pass and will be less effective in run support. When Sanders and Smith can play single coverage against opposing wideouts, Dallas' defense is much more effective against the run. With the pass established, rookie RB Edgerrin James could have a huge day against a quick, but undersized Dallas defense.

The Cowboys are a different team defensively with a healthy Deion Sanders in the line-up. With Sanders, the team can load up against the run without having to worry about getting burned deep. That will be a key this weekend, as Dallas has not faced a runner with speed and explosiveness comparable to Colts RB Edgerrin James. Run support will be necessary from both the linebackers and safeties, and this could leave Sanders and LDC Kevin Smith playing on an island. This is a position, however, to which the two have become accustomed over the years.

With RB James also emerging as a viable receiving threat, Dallas' OLBs will have to have solid games. James has shown the ability over the last few weeks to catch a short dump-pass and turn it into a huge gainer.

The play of the Dallas defensive line has surprised many to this point in the season. Converted DE Alonzo Spellman has been dominant at times, as he uses his strength to shed blocks at the line of scrimmage and get into the running lanes to slow down opposing ground games. He has also proven that he is a capable pass rusher up the middle. Second year DE Greg Ellis is also turning into a nice player, proving that he has the strength to stand up an offensive tackle and force running plays to bounce to the outside where his linebackers can make plays.