Seattle @ Dallas preview

Last Meeting ( Oct 12, 2014 ) Dallas 30, Seattle 23

The Dallas Cowboys are in dire need of a spark in the wake of a four-game losing streak and may get just that in the person of star wide receiver Dez Bryant, who appears poised to return to the lineup for Sunday's matchup against the visiting Seattle Seahawks. Bryant has been sidelined since undergoing surgery to repair a broken bone in his foot on Sept. 14.

"Just know I had a great day at practice," Bryant told reporters Thursday. "I had a great day. You should have seen me in 1-on-1." Dallas, which has floundered since losing Bryant in the season opener and quarterback Tony Romo to a fractured collarbone a week later, faces a difficult test against the two-time defending NFC champion Seahawks. Seattle has blown fourth-quarter leads in each of its four losses, but seemed to regain its mojo by holding San Francisco to 142 total yards in a 20-3 road win on Oct. 22. Three of the Seahawks' defeats have come at the hands of Green Bay, Cincinnati and Carolina, who are a combined 18-0 entering Week 8.

TV: 4:25 p.m. ET, FOX. LINE: Seahawks -6. O/U: 41

ABOUT THE SEAHAWKS (3-4): Seattle got back to the formula that led to back-to-back Super Bowl appearances, riding a 122-yard rushing performance by Marshawn Lynch and a suffocating defensive effort at San Francisco. Russell Wilson, who has thrown for eight touchdowns versus five interceptions and has been sacked a league-high 31 times, had one of the worst performances of his career (14-of-28, 126 yards) in a 30-23 home loss to the Cowboys last season. Defensive ends Michael Bennett and Cliff Avril combined for five sacks last week - 3.5 by Bennett that gave him a share of the league lead.

ABOUT THE COWBOYS (2-4): Dallas pulled the plug on backup quarterback Brandon Weeden last week and started recent acquisition Matt Cassel, who was picked off three times in the second half of a 27-20 setback at the New York Giants. Getting back Bryant would obviously be a huge help but Cassel should also look for veteran Jason Witten against a Seattle defense that has had issues covering tight ends this season. Starting running back Joseph Randle was hurt last week and is reportedly facing a suspension, but oft-injured Darren McFadden stepped in and rambled for 152 yards in his place.

EXTRA POINTS

1. Cowboys DE Greg Hardy, who was involved in a sideline altercation with a coach last week, has 12 sacks in his last six games.

2. The Seahawks are 20-6 heading into their bye week, the best mark in the league.

3. Witten needs one touchdown catch to become the fifth tight end in league history to reach 60 for his career.

PREDICTION: Seahawks 23, Cowboys 19