Sep 27, 2015; Foxborough, MA, USA; New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (12) at the line of scrimmage against the Jacksonville Jaguars in the first quarter at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports
For their Week 5 contest, the New England Patriots will travel to Jerry’s World to take on the Dallas Cowboys. When the schedule was first released over the off season, this game was circled as arguably the premier match-up on the entire NFL calendar. The defending Super Bowl champions on the road against “America’s Team” who have themselves turned into legitimate Super Bowl contenders. What’s not to love?
Unfortunately, the game has lost a lot of its luster after injuries to quarterback Tony Romo and star wide receiver Dez Bryant has clearly held the Cowboys back. The Patriots are rolling at 3-0, and are clearly one of the top teams in the entire NFL. Without Romo and Bryant, the Cowboys sit at 2-2, hoping to simply hold serve until their star players return for the stretch run.
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The Cowboys have put together a solid core of players who will allow them to compete until their firepower returns, but the Patriots are clearly the favorites here on paper. In fact, Vegas currently has them listed as eight point favorites. No matter the situation, that is a lot of points for a road team.
Despite being clear favorites, the Patriots are going to have to show up and fight hard to win this one. The Cowboys are not going to be pushovers at home, and if the Patriots do not take them seriously, they will have some problems walking out with a victory.
This Sunday afternoon match-up between two talented teams should be a fun one. Individual performances could certainly make a difference, and that is what we are going to highlight here today.
Here are five players to watch when the Patriots take on the Cowboys this week. Tom Brady and Rob Gronkowski are always players to watch, but I am going to look to stray from the obvious answers.
Next: Patriots' Defensive Star
Jamie Collins, LB, Patriots
Feb 1, 2015; Glendale, AZ, USA; New England Patriots outside linebacker Jamie Collins (91) celebrates during Super Bowl XLIX against the Seattle Seahawks at University of Phoenix Stadium. The Patriots defeated the Seahawks 28-24. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
A true defensive player of the year candidate, Jamie Collins is growing into one of the premier linebackers in the entire NFL. With a combination of size, speed and natural athleticism that is essentially unrivaled for defensive players in the NFL, Collins has become a huge weapon for the Patriots’ defense.
He is a true threat to rush the passer, is solid against the run and one of the best coverage linebackers in the entire league. Collins’ abilities are going to need to be showcased by the Patriots on Sunday if the defense is going to be successful.
First of all, the Cowboys have what is likely the best offensive line in the entire NFL. If the Patriots expect to get any sort of consistent pass rush, they are going to have to use a creative blitz package, and a lot of the time, that is going to include Collins.
Also, while defending the run is more of the responsibility of fellow linebackers Dont’a Hightower and Jerod Mayo, Collins will have to pitch in as well against this loaded offensive front.
Perhaps most importantly, Collins will have to play strong pass defense against tight end Jason Witten, who may be the Cowboys’ biggest offensive weapon right now. A true jack-of-all-trades, Collins is an important player for the Patriots on Sunday.
Next: A Returning Defensive Force
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
Dion Lewis, RB, Patriots
Sep 27, 2015; Foxborough, MA, USA; New England Patriots running back Dion Lewis (33) carries the ball in the first quarter against the Jacksonville Jaguars at Gillette Stadium. New England defeated Jacksonville 51-17. Mandatory Credit: James Lang-USA TODAY Sports
Dion Lewis has become a bit of a revelation for the Patriots in the backfield this season. The 25-year-old running back is playing for his fourth NFL franchise in his short professional career, but he may have finally found a home.
With a shifty running style that has proven to make him incredibly difficult for defenders to tackle, Lewis is having a great season in New England. Through three games he has 146 rushing yards and two touchdowns on 30 attempts, while also pitching in 15 receptions for 179 yards through the air.
Lewis and LeGarrette Blount form a nice duo for the Patriots in the backfield, and they will be an important part of the Patriots’ offense on Sunday. The Cowboys have been very strong against the run this season, so I expect the Patriots to look to attack them primarily through the air.
That being said, they will always have to show the run to keep the defense honest, and if a high-passing attack is in the cards, Lewis would undoubtedly be the primary back.
Next: Any Cowboys' Offensive Weapon?
Terrance Williams, WR, Cowboys
Oct 4, 2015; New Orleans, LA, USA; Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Terrance Williams (83) dives in the end zone for a 17-yard touchdown in the fourth quarter against the New Orleans Saints at Mercedes-Benz Superdome. The Saints won 26-20. Mandatory Credit: Chuck Cook-USA TODAY Sports
With the injuries to Romo and Bryant, the Cowboys are in dire need of playmakers in their offense. Witten is still a consistent force, and Julius Randle is leading a solid rushing attack. However, the Cowboys are sorely missing playmakers on the outside.
The only semblance of a playmaking wide receiver the Cowboys have is third-year target Terrance Williams, who has become the number one wide receiver for the Cowboys in the absence of Bryant.
Williams has a nice combination of size, speed and athleticism that allows him to make plays downfield. He also seems to have a nice rapport with quarterback Brandon Weeden.
I expect the Patriots to first and foremost look to stop the run. In the passing game, I think Witten will be their primary concern, but Williams will certainly be on the radar as well. The Patriots have some issues at the cornerback position, and it will be interesting to see if they can deal with Williams on Sunday.
He may not get the bulk of the attention from the defense, but Williams has an opportunity to make a difference in this game.
Next: Leader of the Pass Rush
Chandler Jones, DE, Patriots
Sep 20, 2015; Orchard Park, NY, USA; New England Patriots defensive end Chandler Jones (95) tackles Buffalo Bills quarterback Tyrod Taylor (5) during the first half at Ralph Wilson Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Hoffman-USA TODAY Sports
Brandon Weeden is a competent NFL quarterback. He is not anything special, and does not bring anything close to the level of play of Tony Romo, but he can hurt you if you allow him to. When it comes to stopping the Cowboys’ passing attack on Sunday, it is simple to me. Get pressure on Weeden.
Leading the Patriots’ pass rush is defensive end Chandler Jones, who really seems to be coming into his own this season. Jones is in his fourth year in the NFL, and had 23.5 sacks entering this season. Not bad, but not exactly as many as you would expect from a former first-round pick, and his only six sacks from last season certainly left plenty to be desired.
Through three games, Jones has three sacks on the year all of them coming from the Patriots’ Week 2 win over the Buffalo Bills. Despite not actually bringing down the quarterback in the other two games, Jones was able to produce pressure throughout the match-ups.
Jones looks like a better player, and is rejuvenated this season. I think he is in for a big year on the Patriots’ defensive line, and Sunday could be a performance for him to make a major mark against an elite offensive line. To dominate Weeden, the Patriots need to pressure him. Pressuring the QB starts with the play of Jones.
Next: Should Patriots Trade for Cordarrelle Patterson?