The two most polarizing franchises in the NFL, both teams steeped in history and tradition.
One called “America’s Team” only by habit while the other goes out every season and wins like a team with that moniker should.
One team with a coach who is known for his clapping while the other is revered for his in-game adjustments and will go down as the greatest of all time.
One has a mobile quarterback who still has much to prove while the other has a quarterback who has lapped the field so many times he’s just doing it for fun at this point.
Two organizations that, apart from being detested by every fanbase and media member out there, really have nothing in common.
The Cowboys vs. Patriots matchup is one that NFL fans rarely ever see. And while one team normally holds up their end of the bargain, the other has trouble getting out of the first round.
This Sunday’s game is a game focused on strength versus strength. You know the stats already. The Patriots’ defense is No. 1 in the NFL while ranking second in the league in passing yards allowed per game. The Cowboys’ potent passing game is ranked No. 1 in the league.
Something’s got to give.
The weather may be the deciding factor in how this game is played. It’s expected to be very cold and rainy in Foxborough this weekend. With the potential of rain once the game starts, don’t expect either team to put up big numbers in the passing game. If the rain holds off, head coach Jason Garrett may want to put the ball in his quarterback’s hands like he has done a lot this season, and that would be a grave mistake.
If the Cowboys are smart, they’ll run the ball as much as they can Sunday. Everyone knows the only blemish on this Patriots team is their rush defense. With no help coming on that side of the ball, it’s up to the New England coaching staff to fix this issue. And if anyone can do that, it’s Bill Belichick.
The coach has to know that Dallas is going to want to take advantage of what they feel is an advantage for them with Ezekiel Elliott and their offensive line riddled with All-Pro players and high draft picks. One would imagine that Belichick is going to sell out to stop the run and dare Dak to beat them through the air. The Patriot corners aren’t afraid to play one-on-one with any receiver. With Amari Cooper nursing an obvious injury and no other receiver around to strike fear into you, look for the Pats to load up the box and trust their secondary to hold it down on the back end.
While the Patriots’ defense is as consistent as can be, it’s the offense that once again has an uphill battle. Newly-acquired receiver Mohamed Sanu is dealing with a high ankle sprain and likely will not be able to suit up come Sunday. Phillip Dorsett has lingering concussion symptoms which will sideline him once again. That leaves Tom Brady with Julian Edelman and rookie receivers N’Keal Harry and Jakobi Meyers as his only wideouts.
Sure, Ben Watson is turning back time with how he’s been performing this season and the running backs are always a viable option, but this is another game where there will be no consistency with who Brady has to throw to. That’s a problem that needs to be fixed.
Speaking of the running backs, look for them to play a big part in this game. Dallas is going to want to bring the rush on Brady to test that offensive line and see if the aging quarterback can withstand the pressure. What’s the best way to mitigate a strong pass rush? The screen game. No one loves their running back screens more than the New England Patriots. Throw in some trickery with wide receivers moving before the snap, and you have a good recipe for how to slow down those dangerous Cowboy pass rushers, including Michael Bennett.
At the end of the day, more than any sport in the world, coaching matters in the NFL, and the Patriots have an overwhelming edge in that department. While Tom Brady has looked shaky here and there, he should be getting his starting left tackle back in Isaiah Wynn which would be a welcome gift to give the quarterback more security in the pocket.
With a strong coaching advantage, a defense that lives for cold games and a quarterback with something to prove, it’s going to be tough for Dallas to pull out a win here. The Cowboys have gotten off to slow starts in almost every game this year. What happens when you do that against Tom Brady? When he is up at halftime at home, he is 104-1. That’s insane.
Oh, and Brady is 5-0 against the Cowboys in his career. That will continue this weekend.
Prediction: Cowboys 13, Patriots 27
