Patriots vs. Cowboys Preview

by Logan Reever 10/11/15

A game that was looked at as a possible Super Bowl 50 preview could now be in trouble of getting viewers nationally. The Patriots travel down to Dallas to take on a Cowboy team that is far from what was seen on paper before the year started. Tony Romo (broken collarbone) and Dez Bryant (broken foot) are out for the unforeseen future, and added to the list now is Lance Dunbar who suffered an ACl tear in Sunday night’s loss to the New Orleans Saints. A game that saw Dallas fall on the first play of overtime after an 80-yard C.J. Spiller touchdown from Drew Brees to send Dallas to their second straight loss with a treacherous road to come. A road that includes New England first, followed by a trip to the Meadowlands to take on the NFC East-rival Giants, and then welcoming in the defending NFC champion Seahawks. But for now, they deal with the matter at hand. A Patriots team as lethal as they have ever been (yes, just as if not more than 2007).

Averaging just under 40 points a game with a quarterback with maybe the biggest chip his shoulder has held in his 16 seasons in the league. Featuring a tight end that has been deemed “uncoverable” and the “biggest mismatch in the league.” On the other side of the coin, a Dallas team that now is led by backup Brandon Weeden and his core of receivers that even features a receiver smaller than the likes of 5’10 Julian Edelman. All signs point towards a Cowboy team that can’t keep up with a New England offense that will score early and often against a Dallas team that ranks 19th in the pass and in the middle of the pack in the rush.

The only virtual advantage Dallas has in this game is a very good offensive line that any running back can experience success on with the holes provided on any stretch play. The biggest problem for the Patriots that they would have faced in going to be in a walking boot, Dez Bryant. There would have been no solution there with only Malcolm Butler there to cover him and his inexperience guarding the biggest names at the receiver spot in the league.

Offensively, expect Tom and his crew to be licking their chops. With Sean Lee (the Cowboys best cover linebacker) listed as day-to-day with a concussion, expect Rob Gronkowski to run free for most of the afternoon. Along with running back Dion Lewis who already has 15 receptions on the year, along with nearly 150 rushing yards. The biggest beneficiary in this game should be Tom Brady. With no interceptions on the year (expect that to continue) and nine touchdowns (expect that to jump), Tom should have no problem bringing this team to 4-0 en route to making his record after the bye week 11-3.

Prediction: Patriots 38, Cowboys 20