The Patriots defense was just too much for the Cowboys offense as they battled through some brutal northeast weather and earned their 10th win of the season.
Earning their 17th-consecutive 10-plus win season, New England stretched their home win streak to 21, a streak that ranks fourth in NFL history. A windy, rainy and gloomy day in Foxborough made it tough for both teams. The 13-9 victory over Dallas gives the Patriots the best record in the AFC at 10-1.
Battling with the Baltimore Ravens for the top spot in the AFC, every game is crucial for this New England team. This was evidenced by the Ravens handling the Rams by a pretty significant 45-6 score on Monday Night Football. While Tom Brady’s stat line wasn’t the best on Sunday afternoon as he went just 17/37 for 190 yards and a touchdown, the quarterback threw some dimes to his receivers in awful weather.
“Tom Brady’s stat line last night was so bad!”
Brady’s receivers:pic.twitter.com/VNp2LC5coO
— Jordan Moore (@iJordanMoore) November 25, 2019
Sony Michel was a huge factor in Sunday afternoon’s game, averaging over four yards per carry with 85 yards on 20 carries as he outplayed Cowboys star running back Ezekiel Elliott. Helping out with the run game was newly-activated left tackle Isaiah Wynn. Wynn was crucial in the run game and allowed Michel to have one of his best rushing games of the season. In just his third NFL game, he was shaky protecting on the pass rush but Wynn’s performance will improve as the season progresses.
As stated days before, rookie receivers had to step up in order for the Patriots to win the game against Dallas, and they did. N’Keal Harry caught the first touchdown pass of his career in what would be the only touchdown scored in the entire game for either side.
An incredible catch for N’Keal Harry as he catches his first career TD in the NFL!
7-0 Patriots pic.twitter.com/9ZrPFb1BOm
— Jordan Moore (@iJordanMoore) November 24, 2019
Harry said postgame in the locker room, “I’m definitely not satisfied. Anyone that knows me knows that I’m about to turn it up a notch and I’m about to really get the grind started and get back to work.”
Jakobi Meyers was another standout, as the rookie receiver had four receptions for 74 yards. The only thing Meyers has to work on now is dropping catchable passes.
“I don’t wanna get too high or too low, just wanna get consistent… it shows people what I’ve been believing all along. Hopefully, this shows that I can be trusted,” Meyers said.
Not to go unnoticed, veteran receiver Julian Edelman was also a factor, having 93 yards on eight receptions.
Jakobi Meyers! What a way to step up. pic.twitter.com/MdGv0Yeie5
— Jordan Moore (@iJordanMoore) November 24, 2019
Lastly, the defense. The main reason why the Patriots won yet another close, low scoring game is on the defensive side of the ball. Stephon Gilmore was the best player on the field Sunday night.
Cowboys fans: “Amari Cooper is the best receiver in the game! Dak Prescott should be in the MVP running!”
Stephon Gilmore:
pic.twitter.com/yZ2KQ1ovAI— Jordan Moore (@iJordanMoore) November 25, 2019
The Defensive Player of the Year candidate and best corner in the game held star Cowboys receiver Amari Cooper to zero catches for zero yards on just two targets and over 25 offensive snaps.
Amari Cooper:
0 catches
2 targets
0 yards
0 touchdownsStephon Gilmore absolutely shut him down.
— Jordan Moore (@iJordanMoore) November 25, 2019
The Patriots have the best defense in the entire league and it has shown week-in and week-out. This win against Dallas provides great momentum for their upcoming game this Sunday night in Houston. In a game that had a wind chill of under 30 degrees and wind around 20 mph, this Patriots win shouldn’t be an “ugly win.”
“If we win games by scoring 40 points or 13 points like we did tonight then so be it. A win is a win,” special teams superstar and captain Matthew Slater said postgame.
The referees were inconsistent throughout the game, none more so than on a crucial tripping call late in the fourth quarter. While NFL referees have been shaky, as per usual this season, the call did not decide the outcome of the game.
Don’t know why everyone is freaking out over this call. He lifted and extended his leg up in the air. That’s a trip according to the rules. https://t.co/gJbUGvoXum
— Jordan Haddock (@Jordy_lwos) November 25, 2019
Victims of inconsistent calls themselves, New England had a weird ending to the game as time seemingly expired, yet the clock still showed one second. Tom Brady was not happy postgame:
HAHA. Brady said “everyone says the Patriots get advantages.. idk about that.” pic.twitter.com/vVSmR97ea0
— Wicked Take (@WickedTake) November 25, 2019
While the Ravens and QB Lamar Jackson are playing hot as of late, Baltimore is almost identical to the Kansas City Chiefs team of last year. This Ravens team could peak too early, something that the Patriots seem to always do in the playoffs when it actually matters.
The Baltimore Ravens are just this years Kansas City Chiefs. Good QB until someone figures out their offense, peaking too early, will lose in the playoffs.
Debate.
— Wicked Take (@WickedTake) November 26, 2019
Nevertheless, the “new” America’s team proved themselves on Sunday and put the Patriots into the driver’s seat in the AFC.
.@Edelman11 on if the Patriots are America’s team:
“We’re the Patriots. Plymouth rock is 30 miles from Foxboro. Our colors are red, white, and blue.”
The Patriots are the NEW America’s team. pic.twitter.com/1Nwh78HY7m
— Jordan Moore (@iJordanMoore) November 25, 2019
