Cowboys quarterbacks always seem to shine on Thanksgiving Day. Think Roger Staubach, Clint Longley, Troy Aikman and third-stringer Jason Garrett. Tony Romo was exceptional in his two previous Thanksgiving Day performances, completing 75.4 percent of his throws for seven touchdowns and one interception. The Seahawks' defense ranks 29th in the NFL. Romo needs to have another big day so the offense can chug full steam ahead into December. Despite missing three games with a broken pinkie, Romo ranks third in the NFL with a 101.8 efficiency rating.

2 Head-to-head

Earlier this season, it appeared Julius Jones would finally get a chance to show the Cowboys they were wrong to choose Marion Barber over him last season. Jones was the Cowboys' starting running back from 2005-07. But Barber was dynamic as Jones' backup last season and even made the Pro Bowl. The Cowboys gave Barber the starting nod over Jones against the Giants in the playoffs. Jones had gotten the bulk of the workload for Seattle this season until last week. Maurice Morris got 14 carries and had 103 yards against Washington. Will Jones be relegated to the bench this week, too? We'll see.

3 Much more T.O.

Terrell Owens had a terrific day against San Francisco. But it wasn't because offensive coordinator Jason Garrett changed the system to suit Owens. Tony Romo bought time with his legs, and Owens simply ran away from his defender. Owens could have another big day today for the same reason. Seattle corners Marcus Trufant and Josh Wilson won't remind anyone of Deion Sanders. Trufant had seven interceptions last season but doesn't have any this year. Wilson can be beaten, but he doesn't give up many touchdowns. Garrett may let Romo move around the pocket, let it fly deep and make Owens go get it. If Owens is still the star he thinks he is, this shouldn't be a problem.

4 Stuff this turkey

Fans will be treated to a concert from the Jonas Brothers at halftime. The Cowboys' defense should light plenty of defensive fireworks before and after the show. The run defense stuffed Washington's Clinton Portis and San Francisco's Frank Gore. Four players had sacks against the 49ers. The defense knows it must play with a hunger the rest of the season. "That this-is-the-greatest-thing- ever-assembled kind of thing is gone," Greg Ellis said. "All that hype is over." Seattle averages just 251.5 yards per game, the second-lowest total in the league. Good defenses crush bad offenses.