New England Patriots: Week 5 Preview vs. Dallas Cowboys

Welcome to another edition of the Patriots Breakfast Club as the New England Patriots waltz their way into AT&T Stadium this Sunday with a matchup against the Dallas Cowboys, in what is being labeled as one of the marquee Week 5 match-ups. Funny how time can completely change things, back on early September this was being billed as Tony Romo vs. Jimmy Garoppolo. But its funny how much things can change in a month.

Put in Tom Brady.

Take out Tony Romo (broken collarbone). Oh yeah, take out Dez Bryant too (broken foot).

The Patriots are coming off their bye week looking as impressive as I’ve seen them in a number of years, already you are hearing comparisons to the 2007 New England Patriots that went undefeated before falling to the New York Giants in Super Bowl 42.

That team in 2007 was lethal with an unprecedented offense thanks to Tom Brady and Randy Moss, you could say that if it wasn’t for Rob Gronkowski being drafted in 2010, Randy Moss would have been Tom Brady’s best receiver he’s had. Think of that a Pro Bowl receiver in 1999 being Tom Brady’s best receiver would have been bananas.

This offense has very few holes which makes it tough for defenses to stop their attack, just when you think you can stop the run they dish it out to Julian Edelman or Gronk. And just when you think you can contain Edelman and Gronk, guys like Dion Lewis and LeGarrette Blount step up and make you pay for it.

If I’m a defensive coordinator and I had the tall task of creating a defensive gameplay I would make them beat me with guys like Lewis or Blount. I’d rather know that Gronk and Edelman did not kill me and they were held somewhat in check, even if it meant guys like Lewis, or Blount beating you.

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Talking about the Patriots offense, lets switch over to the Cowboys defense who is receiving a big boost this week with the return of Greg Hardy. Now all off-field issues aside, he is strong piece that the Cowboys added this year and if he can keep his head on straight and play the game the right way he could be the reason the Cowboys make the playoffs.

According to reports Hardy is scheduled to play the right side of the defensive line, so Ryan Wendell and Sebastian Vollmer will have their work cut out for them this week. I’d expect Hardy to come out with a ton of fire and explode off the line like he was shot out of a gun (pun intended).

With all the injuries to the Cowboys offense it’s tough to get excited for this week’s matchup when we think back to what we could have had. Nevertheless Brandon Weeden will be under center for the Cowboys and frankly didn’t look that bad last Sunday against the Saints.

He went 16-26 with 246 passing yards with one touchdown, but perhaps what was most impressive was his 4th quarter comeback that tied the game in the final moments of the fourth quarter. I wouldn’t be curled up in a ball praying to the ghosts of Patriots past to place some curse on Brandon Weeden on Sunday, I don’t think he’s that great.

But I would be a little concerned with his capabilities especially based off of what we’ve seen so far from the former Browns back up quarterback.

Ultimately I believe this is going to be a high scoring game, and with the Patriots listed as heavy road favorite,s I wouldn’t be surprised if we see a good ole shootout in Arlington. The bye week has always treated the Patriots and Bill Belichick well, they always seem like they come out looking more impressive (if that’s even possible). If I were a betting man I would bet this months rent on Brady, Gronk, and Belichick

47. Final. 17. 123. 38

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