The New England Patriots are flying high with a 3-0 record coming off their bye week, while the Dallas Cowboys have lost two games in a row since quarterback Tony Romo got hurt to fall to 2-2 on the season.
Patriots Outlook:
Brady has somehow taken his game to another level this season, passing for 1,112 yards and nine touchdowns in just three games without turning the ball over. New England has the top offense in the league as a result of his play, and he'll have another opportunity to put up big numbers against Dallas' inconsistent secondary. Considering Dallas' offense is struggling with Brandon Weeden at quarterback, the Patriots should simply be able to simply outgun the Cowboys.
Cowboys Outlook:
The Cowboys are without key players in Dez Bryant, Tony Romo, and Orlando Scandrick, but they do get some important pieces back. The suspensions of DE Greg Hardy and LB Rolando McClain are over and the defense needs them. McClain had a breakout season last year and the defense needs him to pick back up at that level of play. Hardy brings a pass rushing element the team has been without since DeMarcus Ware was cut. Those two players could bring enough talent to help the Cowboys pick up a win.
Without Romo, the Cowboys are going to lean on their RBs with Romo out. Expect a heavy dose of Joseph Randle, Darren McFadden and Christine Michael this weekend. The Cowboys have a proven running game, while the Patriots allowed 134 yards to a Steelers team without Le'Veon Bell and 160 yards to the Bills. The Cowboys can match those numbers and if they do that, they will surprise the NFL and pick up a win.
What To Watch For:
Cowboys pass rush vs. Patriots offense
Dallas' biggest chance at winning this game is to disrupt Tom Brady's rhythm by getting in his face with the pass rush, and that's what they're hoping to do with the return of Hardy and McClain. The Cowboys have only racked up six sacks through their first four games, but they need to get at least three on Brady to really get in his head and throw a wrench in New England's game plan.
What They're Saying:
Patriots
Patriots CB Tarell Brown Probable For Sunday vs. Cowboys
Cowboys welcome Tom Brady with nothing but respect (Boston Herald)
Cowboys
Greg Hardy expected to start (ESPN)
Cowboys will need Big D to get a big W (The Landry Hat)
Prediction: Patriots win 38-17
New England is simply a buzzsaw this season with Tom Brady and the whole team in "eff you" mode towards the whole league, and the Cowboys simply don't have the firepower to match them with Romo and Dez Bryant.
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