The Dolphins head to Texas Stadium for the first time since 1993 as these teams battle for the second time in 4 years and clash on Thanksgiving Day for the third time.

Including postseason, while the Dolphins own a 6-3 overall edge in the series standings (one of those losses a 24-3 setback to Dallas in Super Bowl VI at Tulane Stadium), the Cowboys posted a 29-10 triumph in 1996 at Pro Player Stadium in the most recent regular-season clash between the clubs.

The Dolphins are 4-1 lifetime at Texas Stadium dating back to 1973 and have prevailed in their last three visits to Irving dating back to 1987, their last road tilt in this series a memorable 16-14 victory on Thanksgiving Day in 1993.

Numbers: Since 1996 (including playoffs), under head coach Jimmy Johnson, the Dolphins are 36-5 when they run the ball 25 or more times, 0-20 when they fail to run the ball at least 25 times. PK Olindo Mare has kicked 29 field goals in 10 games in '99; the NFL record for field goals in a season is 37, set by Carolina's John Kasay in 1996. Since 1996 (including playoffs), under head coach Jimmy Johnson, the Dolphins have totaled 114 sacks and 94 takeaways in 36 wins but just 33 QB traps and 32 takeaways in 25 losses.

Including playoffs, in 15 games vs. NFC East rivals dating back to '98, the Cowboys are 11-4, totaling 371 points and 39 offensive touchdowns in those 15 contests. In 12 games vs. the rest of the NFL dating back to '98, Cowboys are 4-8, totaling 252 points (21.0 PPG) and 25 offensive touchdowns. Including playoffs, CB Deion Sanders has scored 22 touchdowns in six different ways (8 interceptions, 6 punt returns, 3 kickoff returns, 3 receptions, 1 rushing and 1 fumble recovery) in 11 NFL seasons (1989-99). RB Emmitt Smith has rushed for 100 or more yards in 11 of his last 21 contests dating back to '98. Smith has totaled 135 rushing touchdowns, 38 of those scores from 1 yard out. The Cowboys have outscored the opposition a combined 71-6 in the first quarter in 10 games in '99. They have rushed for 140 or more yards in three straight games. They have forced two or more turnovers in three straight games.

Things to look for: No doubt the Cowboys are very happy to be home for the holiday as the road has turned treacherous for Chan Gailey's aging team. But they'll get little sympathy from the rejuvenated Dolphins, whose defense spent last Sunday harassing Patriots' QB Drew Bledsoe into 5 interceptions. If the 'Boyz can't get RB Emmitt Smith going, Jimmy Johnson will enjoy this Texas reunion.

Etc.: The Dolphins are 3-0 lifetime on Thanksgiving, including 2-0 vs. the Cowboys -- their last appearance on Turkey Day a 16-14 win at Dallas in 1993. The Cowboys have lost two straight and are 20-10-1 lifetime on Thanksgiving Day -- their last appearance on Turkey Day a 46-36 loss to the Vikings at Irving last season (Week 13). The Cowboys are just 5-6 lifetime vs. AFC teams on Thanksgiving Day. Dolphins head coach Jimmy Johnson returns to Dallas for the first time since he coached the Cowboys from 1989-93. Including postseason, Johnson managed a 51-37 record with Dallas from 1989-93, including wins in Super Bowls XXVII and XXVIII.

Cowboys QB Troy Aikman (137) and Dolphins QB Dan Marino (133) have started as many or more games than any two quarterbacks in the NFL in the 1990s (since-retired Broncos QB John Elway started 133 games in the '90s). Since 1996 (including playoffs), under head coach Jimmy Johnson, the Dolphins are 29-18 vs. AFC teams and just 7-7 vs. NFC competition. The Dolphins are 74-29 lifetime in interconference games (2-0 in '99) dating back to 1970. Including Super Bowls (3-0), the Cowboys are 25-13 vs. AFC teams in the 1990s (0-1 in '99). They have won six straight home games dating back to '98.

Cowboys QB Troy Aikman (29,984) needs 16 yards to become the 22nd player in NFL history to total 30,000 passing yards. RB Emmitt Smith (145) is tied with Marcus Allen (145) for 2nd place on the NFL's all-time touchdowns scored list, and needs one touchdown to move into 2nd place by himself.