NFL: In-form Dallas Cowboys look to prove themselves against Seattle Seahawks

The credentials of the resurgent Dallas Cowboys will be put to the test when they face the Seattle Seahawks at CenturyLink Field on Sunday

Many expected Dallas to be one of the NFL’s biggest strugglers this season with quarterback Tony Romo coming off back surgery and a historically bad defence showing no signs of improvement.

But Romo and running back DeMarco Murray have started the 2014 season in brilliant form while the defence has held up well enough to allow the Cowboys to go 4-1 over their first five games.

They will attempt to make it five wins in a row against reigning Super Bowl champions Seattle, who are looking to improve on their record of 3-1.

Here is what to look out for in the exciting contest:

Acid test

Live NFL

The doom-mongers were out in force when Romo threw three interceptions in Dallas’ defeat to the San Francisco 49ers on the opening weekend of the season, but the Cowboys have responded superbly to claim four straight wins. The successes against the Tennessee Titans and St Louis Rams may not end up looking all that impressive at the end of the year, but seeing off two strong outfits in the form of the New Orleans Saints and Houston Texans sent out a strong message.

From being apparent no-hopers the Cowboys are now being viewed as serious playoff contenders and if they can get past Seattle on the road – something which only one team has been able to do since the start of 2012 – then they will have completed the transformation into genuine Super Bowl challengers.

Big-name battle

Seahawks cornerback Richard Sherman is used to shutting down opposing receivers, but on Sunday he will be coming up against a wideout who has the ability to beat him one-on-one. Dez Bryant has been Dallas’ leading receiver in three of the Cowboys' opening five games, finding the end zone in four of those contests. Meanwhile Sherman’s aura of invisibility – often hyped up by himself – has slipped slightly this year.

He struggled against the San Diego Chargers in Week Two and Denver Broncos star Demaryius Thomas also had some success against him in the following game. Bryant is an elite talent on the level of Thomas and may fancy his chances to deal Sherman a big blow.

Rushed off his feet

Although Bryant v Sherman is an intriguing battle, the contest between DeMarco Murray and Seattle’s run defence may be even more mouth-watering. Murray has started the campaign in incredible form, becoming the first player since OJ Simpson in 1975 to rush for 100 yards or more in each of the first five games of an NFL season.

He will be looking to extend that streak on Sunday, but must do it against the leading rushing defence in the NFL. Seattle’s secondary usually takes all the plaudits but the Seahawks have been tremendous against the run so far this year, giving up just 62.3 yards a game and 2.6 yards per carry, both league best figures. Can they bring an end to Murray's streak of rushing centuries?

Home comforts

Of all the statistics facing Dallas on Sunday, perhaps the most intimidating is the home record of the Seahawks. Since Russell Wilson was drafted in 2012, Seattle have compiled a brilliant record of 17-1 at CenturyLink Field. As a result the Seahawks are still big favourites to prevail despite Dallas’ recent purple patch.

Last week the Cowboys were forced to go to a silent snap count at home due to the noise travelling Houston Texans fans were making and they can expect many more problems of that ilk with Seattle’s ‘12th Man’ on their backs.

What they said

“It can’t be personal. You’ve got to go out there and focus on what the offense is doing and what the play-calling is doing,” Dez Bryant talks to the Dallas Morning News about his upcoming battle with Richard Sherman.

"We're certainly going to use crowd noise. That's a big part of their home-field advantage up there, that's well documented,” Cowboys head coach Jason Garrett talks about the ‘12th Man’.

Watch Cowboys @ Seahawks live on Sky Sports 2 HD from 9pm on Sunday.