Last meeting
Having been eliminated from playoff contention earlier in the day, Dallas put forth a sloppy performance, committing four second-half turnovers as the Rams won the 2006 season's final regular season game, 20-10.
Streaks
St. Louis has taken two of the past three meetings to gain a 10-9 series advantage over Dallas.
Last week
Desperate for a victory after losing their first two games of the season, the Rams unraveled in the second half and fell to 0-3 with a 24-3 loss to the Bucs. Three turnovers and two missed field goals doomed a St. Louis team that has been undone by mistakes early in the season. The Cowboys have yet to lose a game and made a statement to the rest of the NFL, crushing the defending NFC champion Bears, 34-10, at Chicago.
At stake
The 1992 Chargers are the only team in NFL history that has recovered from an 0-4 start to make the playoffs, so a loss in Dallas could put St. Louis in too big a hole from which to escape. Dallas is trying to build on its 3-0 start and gain some separation from the rest of the NFC East.
Key matchup
Rams offensive line vs. Dallas defensive line. The Rams' offensive line has been decimated by injury, losing four players to injury, while the Cowboys defensive front has begun to adjust to new defensive coordinator Brian Stewart and forced the Bears into four turnovers. How well St. Louis' offensive line contends with the improving Dallas front seven will likely determine the outcome of this game.
Injuries
ST. LOUIS: RB Steven Jackson (groin), CB Tye Hill (back), G Richie Incognito (ankle). DALLAS: LB Greg Ellis (Achilles), WR Terry Glenn (knee), CB Terence Newman (foot)
Did you know?
The Cowboys are 3-0 for 14th time in franchise history and they have made the playoffs the 13 previous times.
