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Cowboys at Miami Dolphins GameDay: Predictions, matchups, keys to victory, more

Cowboys (2-7) at Miami (4-5), noon today (Ch. 4)

RADIO: KRLD-FM (105.3), KMVK-FM (107.5 in Spanish)

LINE: Cowboys by 1

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A win would mean ...

The Cowboys' hope that Tony Romo's return would help them make a push for a division title has some merit.

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A loss would mean ...

The Cowboys lose eight straight games, tied for the franchise's longest losing streak since Jerry Jones took over.

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FOUR DOWNS: KEYS TO TODAY'S GAME

Dallas Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo (9) is checked out by trainers after an injury during...
Dallas Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo (9) is checked out by trainers after an injury during the third quarter of their game against the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday, September 20, 2015 at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Ashley Landis/The Dallas Morning News)(The Dallas Morning News)

Protect Romo: Dolphins defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh is finally starting to come into form after signing a $114 million contract this offseason. Suh had eight tackles, three for a loss, a sack and three hurries last week against the Eagles. With Tony Romo returning from a broken collarbone, the Cowboys' offensive line, which has allowed seven sacks in the Cowboys' last two games, will need to limit Romo's contact with Suh as much as possible.

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Establish the run: The Cowboys' backfield remains in turmoil. After rushing for 117 yards against the Eagles, Darren McFadden had 17 carries for 32 yards last week against Tampa Bay and is nursing a strained groin. Trey Williams, Rod Smith and the newly acquired Robert Turbin are the backup options, and none has a carry with the Cowboys. Miami's defense allows 135.6 rushing yards per game, second to last in the NFL, and the team could be without linebackers Jelani Jenkins and Koa Misi.

Tackle well: Miami utilizes a short passing game that occasionally takes a deep shot. Dolphins receivers have gotten used to taking those quick passes and turning them into chunks of yards. Jarvis Landry and Rishard Matthews rank fifth and 16th in the NFL among receivers in yards after catch. If Byron Jones (who will likely start in place of the injured Morris Claiborne) and Brandon Carr can make one-on-one tackles consistently, Miami will often have to deal with third-and-long situations.

Win battles: While Dez Bryant is hobbled with injuries to his foot, knee and ankle, Brent Grimes is returning from an illness. Grimes is a physical corner who will get his hands on Bryant at the line of scrimmage. If Bryant can fight through his injuries and get separation, Tony Romo should be able to find him for some game-breaking plays. But that won't be easy to do consistently in this matchup of Pro Bowlers.

HOW THEY MATCH UP

Dallas Cowboys running back Darren McFadden (20) carries the ball against the Tampa Bay...
Dallas Cowboys running back Darren McFadden (20) carries the ball against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the first quarter at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida, Sunday, November 15, 2015. (Tom Fox/The Dallas Morning News)(The Dallas Morning News)

When the Cowboys run

McFadden is hampered and the running backs behind are inexperienced, but the Cowboys still have their offensive line. Miami is one of the worst teams in the league against the run. Edge: Cowboys

When the Cowboys pass

Romo's return should cause an uptick in the passing game, especially for Jason Witten, who caught eight passes from Romo in Week 1 and hasn't matched that mark since. The Dolphins are fresh off allowing 353 passing yards to the Eagles. Philadelphia's top two receivers were both tight ends. Edge: Cowboys

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When the Dolphins run

Rookie Jay Ajayi is back after a rib injury held him out for most of the season. He's averaging 8.9 yards per carry over two games and should be a nice complement to the speedy Lamar Miller. The Cowboys have a banged up linebacker corps with Sean Lee returning after missing last week with a concussion. Edge: Dolphins

When the Dolphins pass

Miami's offensive line has struggled to give Tannehill time, but he has been able to connect with Jarvis Landry and Rishard Matthews at times. The Cowboys have allowed just two passing touchdowns in the past four games. Only New Orleans' Drew Brees has thrown for more than 300 yards on the Cowboys this season. Edge: Cowboys

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Special teams

Dallas holds the edge in field goal kicking. Miami rookie Andrew Franks is 8 for 10 on field goals and has missed two extra points. Miami leads the league in punt average and ranks fifth in net punting. The Dolphins' Jarvis Landry is one of eight players with a punt return touchdown. The Cowboys rank 31st in average punt return yardage. Edge: Dolphins

Intangibles

Miami is a fighting for a wild-card playoff spot in the AFC and have a favorable schedule going forward with just two of their final six games coming against teams over .500. But the Cowboys are getting their leader back in Tony Romo, and they still believe they have a chance at the postseason thanks to a weak division. Edge: Cowboys

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SPOTLIGHT

Suh meets the Cowboys but isn't looking for revenge

PHILADELPHIA, PA - NOVEMBER 15:  Ndamukong Suh #93 of the Miami Dolphins looks on before the...
PHILADELPHIA, PA - NOVEMBER 15: Ndamukong Suh #93 of the Miami Dolphins looks on before the start of the game against the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field on November 15, 2015 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images)(2015 Getty Images)

The last time Ndamukong Suh faced the Cowboys came with the Lions in last year's playoffs. Suh had two sacks in the game, but the Cowboys came away with the victory after a controversial pass interference call was overturned.

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Later, the NFL admitted it missed a holding call on Suh on a fourth-and-6 play during the Cowboys' game-winning touchdown drive.

But Suh told Miami reporters this week that Sunday wasn't about getting revenge.

"Honestly I haven't really looked back too much at that game," Suh said. "It's over and done with."

Suh is no stranger to the Cowboys. This will be his fifth time facing the team in his six-year career. In the previous four games he has 11 tackles and 2.5 sacks.

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"Anytime he's on the field, you have to devise a plan for him," Cowboys owner Jerry Jones said. "That's a distraction, and I say that with a smile on my face. Distractions are valuable. ... Suh you have to game plan for, and I mean you have to really account for him. And that's an adjustment."

Asked if there was anything different about playing the Cowboys, Suh said no.

"They can be America's team, they can be whatever," Suh said. "I just want to go out and beat them."

FANTASY CORNER

TWO TO START

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Darren McFadden, RB, Cowboys

The groin issue isn't a huge deal. With almost no experience behind him, McFadden should see a lot of carries against one of the NFL's worst rushing defenses.

Rishard Matthews, WR, Dolphins

The Cowboys struggled with a big receiver in Mike Evans last week. Matthews isn't as big, but he's developed a nice rapport with Tannehill and will face a Cowboys secondary that will likely be without Morris Claiborne.

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TWO TO SIT

Lamar Miller, RB, Dolphins

Jay Ajayi has outgained Miller the past two weeks and is expected to earn more carries. At 6-0, 228 pounds, Ajayi also figures to steal some goal line carries from Miller.

Cole Beasley, WR, Cowboys

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Romo's return will probably create an uptick in Jason Witten's catches at Beasley's expense. Beasley hasn't had more than 68 receiving yards when Romo is his quarterback.

SPORTSDAY PICKS

Tim Cowlishaw Cowboys, 19-17: Romo's return doesn't exactly ignite the Cowboys' offense, but it does minimize mistakes enough to end the losing streak.

Michael Florek Cowboys, 24-21: Tony Romo leads the game-winning drive his backups couldn't, and the Cowboys keep hope alive for a few more days.

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Brandon George Cowboys, 24-21: The Cowboys will be energized by the return of QB Tony Romo, who will end the club's seven-game losing streak while extending his road winning streak to 11 games.

Rick Gosselin Dolphins, 23-17: The Dolphins will not see the Tony Romo who won the NFL passing title in 2015. They'll see the Tony Romo who hasn't thrown a pass or seen a rush in two months.

Barry Horn Dolphins, 24-20: A man named Suh makes life difficult for Tony Romo and a depleted Cowboys running game. Cowboys can take solace if Romo shows he's ready for remainder of the season.

Jon Machota Cowboys, 27-17: Tony Romo looks like his old self in the second half, gets some thinking maybe the Cowboys really can still "win the whole [expletive] thing."

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David Moore Cowboys, 24-20: Tony Romo produces a touchdown and three or four first downs in his return that the offense had been missing. The losing streak is broken.

Kevin Sherrington Cowboys, 24-21: Romo to the rescue.