The New England Patriots (9-1) have a tough task ahead as Dak Prescott and the Dallas Cowboys (6-4) invade Foxborough in this Week 12 interconference matchup.
It’s going to be a tough one for the New England Patriots on Sunday when they take on Dak Prescott, Ezekiel Elliott and the Dallas Cowboys at Gillette Stadium.
After winning a defensive dogfight against the Philadelphia Eagles following the bye, the Patriots defense will be put to the test against the NFL’s top offense in the Cowboys.
Not only are they good rushing the ball behind that big offensive line and Elliott handling the rock, they are good in the passing game. Wide receivers Amari Cooper and Michael Gallup are really going to test the Patriots secondary while veteran slot receiver Randall Cobb is still very capable of eating up yardage underneath.
This will be a big challenge for the defensive line, along with Stephon Gilmore, Devin McCourty and the defensive backs group as they must keep Dak Prescott from lighting it up.
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On the offensive side of the ball, Tom Brady is nursing an elbow injury that should put even more emphasis on the New England Patriots finally developing a running attack. The Cowboys do have some good defensive players who are capable of disrupting Brady’s timing. With Robert Quinn coming off the edge and old friend Michael Bennett rushing the quarterback as well, there will be even more spotlight put on the return of left tackle Isaiah Wynn.
Without Mohamed Sanu and possibly Phillip Dorsett, there should be a heavy dose of Julian Edelman and James White in this game. Don’t be surprised if rookie N’Keal Harry has a good game in his Gillette Stadium debut.
In all, a tough task overall for Bill Belichick and the defending Super Bowl champions.
"“This is a real good football team coming in here this weekend,” Belichick told the media Wednesday, via Patriots.com. “They really do everything well, create a lot of problems in all three phases of the game, very well coached, great players, great personnel. Good situational football team, very explosive team. They put a lot of pressure on you on every single down. So, this will be a big challenge for us, a team that we don’t have very much experience with. But, we’re getting to know them quickly and they certainly present a lot of problems from a preparation standpoint and, I would say, from a matchup standpoint.”"
How to watch Dallas Cowboys vs. New England Patriots
Location: Gillette Stadium, Foxborough, MA
Kickoff: Sunday, November 24 2019 4:25 p.m. ET
TV: FOX (Check local listings)
Streaming: fuboTV
In what could still be considered a Super Bowl preview, the New England Patriots have to get something figured out on offense even with the injuries. Defensively, they should be up to the task against a very balanced offensive opponent. Here are five players who must ride high against the Dallas Cowboys.
Sony Michel, RB
While the offensive line is to blame for some of the inconsistency in the running game, New England Patriots running back Sony Michel must simply find ways to create positive yardage out of what’s given.
Add some elusiveness to that and the Patriots may actually get something brewing on the ground against a Dallas Cowboys defense that has had some struggles against the run between the tackles.
With the injuries to the wide receiving group, the Patriots will more than likely stick with the run longer and utilize a short passing game using their versatile running back group. That makes Michel a major factor in the team’s approach on offense.
If he creates a couple big plays to start the game, it will not only set the tone, but finally give him some confidence and the team more confidence in him.
In averaging just 3.3 yards per carry this season, look for Sony Michel to break out and have his best game of the season both running and catching the ball. This could be the Sony Michel the New England Patriots scouted from his days at Georgia.
Jonathan Jones, CB
The New England Patriots secondary will have their hands full trying to cover both Amari Cooper and Michael Gallup in this one.
Bill Belichick will focus on making sure neither of those receivers beat the Patriots, which leaves Randall Cobb as an underneath option for Dak Prescott. That’s where the play of Jonathan Jones comes in.
As a hard-hitting defensive back who plays the ball well, Jones could be utilized as either a slot corner in this game or Belichick may decide to use him against Gallup with safety help.
Either way, look for Jonathan Jones to be a big part of how the Patriots defend the Dallas Cowboys passing game. If they are successful, it will be due to how Jones minimizes the Cowboy’s second or third option.
In knowing how Bill Belichick operates, Amari Cooper will not be allowed to beat the New England Patriots.
N’Keal Harry, WR
With Mohamed Sanu out and Phillip Dorsett questionable to play in Sunday’s matchup against the Dallas Cowboys, all eyes will be on New England Patriots 2019 first-round pick N’Keal Harry.
While the expectations are low given that he has missed half the season, you can’t ignore the size and catch radius he has. Trust or no trust, Tom Brady will look his way a bit more in this game.
Given their lack of weapons, the Cowboys should be focused on eliminating Julian Edelman. That will free up Harry to have a one-on-one matchup with a defender that he should outsize. That will lead Brady to throw it up for his big receiver to battle for balls.
The Patriots don’t need anything high from N’Keal Harry (although it will be nice), they just need him to be in the right spots and let his talent dictate the rest. He can also be a viable blocker if the team can get the running game going.
Either way, Harry will factor into this game in some capacity. He’ll end up with at least five catches in this one.
Stephon Gilmore, CB
This is exactly why the New England Patriots are paying Stephon Gilmore the big bucks.
A big national game, going up against a big-time wide receiver is exactly the spot where Gilmore shines brightly.
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Amari Cooper is no joke and if Gilmore is the top cornerback in the game, that will certainly be both challenged and proven in this game. With his ability to play man and take out the opposing team’s top receiving threat, the Patriots cornerback gives Bill Belichick so much he can do with the rest of the defense.
In taking out elite talent like JuJu Smith-Schuster, Odell Beckham Jr., and Zach Ertz in previous matchups, Stephon Gilmore knows he has his work cut out for him going against a receiver in Amari Cooper that he calls one of the best in the league.
"“He’s a great receiver,” Gilmore told the media, as transcribed by NESN. “He can run every route. He’s strong after the catch. He makes big catches. He’s definitely at the top – one of the best receivers in the league.”"
Gilmore will have to be on his game in this one. He certainly sounds up to the challenge.
Tom Brady, QB
Let’s face it, Tom Brady hasn’t been playing at an elite level this season.
Part of that has been due to an inconsistent and unreliable offensive line, but Brady does deserve some of the blame.
The New England Patriots quarterback obviously has not been happy with the offense’s lack of execution and flow through the first 10 games of the NFL season and rightfully so, but he has to limit his own mistakes in making the offense worse.
Bad throws in the red zone and situations where he misses open receivers is part of the frustration. We all know, when the shift of focus turns to Brady’s play and potential decline, he does turn it up to another level.
This Sunday against the Dallas Cowboys could prove to be that type of game. Elbow injury and all, Tom Brady will probably have one of his best if not the best, games of the season.
He may not throw for 400 yards and three touchdowns, but his efficiency will be on point utilizing his tight ends and running backs primarily in this game. He’ll most likely be working with two rookie receivers in N’Keal Harry and Jakobi Meyers, but the 42-year-old quarterback will prove he’s more than capable of working with younger receivers.
In all, the New England Patriots need Tom Brady to be Tom Brady in this game and he will be Tom Brady in all that defines his greatness.