Patriots vs. Cowboys: Five Players to Watch

Greg Hardy, DE, Cowboys

Aug 29, 2015; Arlington, TX, USA; Dallas Cowboys defensive end Greg Hardy (76) tackles Minnesota Vikings halfback Jerick McKinnon (31) in the second quarter at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports

Cowboys defensive end Greg Hardy will return to the field this week against the Patriots. We have not seen Hardy on an NFL field much recently, and it will be interesting to see what he can do against New England.

Hardy was once considered one of the best defensive ends in all of football. He is an effective pass rusher and is also very strong against the run. Hardy has a balanced and well-rounded skill-set that allows him to make plays throughout the game on the field.

The Patriots will have to account for Hardy in their game plan, as he will undoubtedly be looking to wreak havoc on their backfield in his return. Nate Solder will likely get the bulk of the responsibility on Hardy, and he will have to be on top of his game.

Hardy is the kind of player who can single-handily shut down an offense. While I believe the Patriots’ offense is too good to allow that to happen, Hardy is talented enough to prove me wrong. He is certainly a player worth watching.

Next: An Under-the-Radar Offensive Weapon