Matchup Preview: Cowboys at Patriots

The Situation:  America’s team against its Patriots.  Most people have New England as the best team in the AFC.  They are off to a 4-1 start and their only loss came to a 4-1 Buffalo team in a 20 point second half comeback.  The Cowboys have allowed some gut-wrenching comebacks themselves losing to Detroit and the Jets in the season opener fueled by Tony Romo turnovers.  In the Patriots only loss the Bills forced Tom Brady into four interceptions.

The Patriot have scored over 30 points in 13 straight regular season games.  The Cowboys are 14th in the league against the pass.  We can’t go too long without mentioning Tom Brady’s 14 passing TDs in 5 games this season.  Wes Welker has 45 fucking receptions already (ridiculous).  Do the Cowboys have the secondary depth to cover Welker, Gronkowski, Branch, and Hernandez? No, they do not.

But, the Cowboys do have a defensive coordinator in Rob Ryan who led the last defense the held the Patriots offense below 30 points last season in a stunning 34-14 win against the Patriot dynasty.  Dallas’ defense in 1st in the league against the rush only allowing 61 yards a game.  Look for Brady to have 5o passing attempts this game.

The Outcome: Brady and Welker are on a tear.  But, the Patriots weakness is their 32nd ranked pass defense.  Dallas and Tony Romo have a chance to have another big statistical game.  Obviously Romo must limit turnovers. This he has thrown five interceptions with 3 fumbles in only 4 games.

The Cowboys are 2-2 and would hate to go below .500.  They are coming off a bye after the undefeated Lion’s comeback in Week 4.  The Patriots are coming off an emotional 30-21 win over their rival Jets.  The Patriots must avoid an emotional let down.  I don’t think their coach will let that happen.

Dallas Cowboy’s defensive end Marcus Spears, who has 3 tackles and no sacks this season, said in an interview essentially the Patriots are great but they are beatable.  ”We’re probably going to get killed.  They are the greatest team to ever play football.”  Press clippings by underhanded compliments?  It is true, Marcus, but is it smart to throw rocks at the unchained pittbull which is the Pat’s offense?  No, it wasn’t.  This 2-2 team will have a rough time slowing down Brady and his friends in Foxboro on Sunday. This game is 4:15 EST in Gillette.  New England will look to show why they’re now America’s team in this 40 to 27 victory over the boys.