New England Patriots NFL Week 6 battle: Bring on them Dallas Cowboys
The New England Patriots will have their hands full when Dak Prescott, Ezekiel Elliott and the Dallas Cowboys invade Foxborough in this Week 6 NFL matchup.
Coming off a 25-22 comeback victory over the Houston Texans in Week 5, Mac Jones and the Patriots will be +3.5 underdogs in this game and on paper, that could be quite generous given the Cowboys are putting up 34 points a game and are riding a four-game winning streak.
But, as the Patriots proved against Tom Brady and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Week 4, a high-powered offense can be shut down, but the Bucs didn’t have the offensive line and run game the Cowboys have. To say this will be a challenge for Matt Judon, J.C. Jackson and the Patriots’ defense is an understatement, but it’s a challenge and if any coach can come up with a scheme to slow that offense, it is Bill Belichick.
On the offensive side of the ball, the Patriots are starting to put something together and if they protect the ball, they should be able to score some points against Micah Parsons and that Cowboys’ defense.
4:25. CBS. Sunday, October 17. 2-3. 47. -3.5 Cowboys. 4-1. 123
How to watch New England Patriots vs Dallas Cowboys
Location: Gillette Stadium, Foxborough, MA
Kickoff: Sunday, October 17, 2021 4:25 p.m. ET
TV: CBS (Check local listings)
Radio: 98.5 FM The Sports Hub
Streaming: fuboTV
Coaches’ Corner: New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick praises Dak Prescott
Coming up with a scheme against Prescott and the playmakers he has is going to be a big challenge for Belichick and his defense.
In focusing on the Cowboys quarterback and the playmakers he has around him, Belichick knows his defense will have to be prepared to cover many different targets as Prescott spreads the ball around.
"“If they’re open. If they’re open down the field, he’ll throw it down the field,” Belichick said during his press conference on Wednesday. “He’ll throw it to everybody. Whoever’s open, and, a lot of times, he’s got two or three guys to choose from. It’s a hard group to cover. [Ceedee] Lamb’s a very explosive player. [Amari] Cooper’s a really good route runner. Obviously, the backs are a problem when they get the ball. Tight ends are the leading receivers, so take your pick, and he [Dak Prescott] can run too, so there’s a sixth receiver there.”"
The Patriots’ secondary is going to have to play much better than they did against the Texans in this one. With receivers like Lamb and Cooper, along with tight end Dalton Schultz, any miscommunication in the defensive backfield could lead to big plays.
Players to watch: Patriots front seven vs Cowboys running game
The Cowboys will feature a two-headed monster in Elliot and Tony Pollard, who has rushed for 325 yards on 51 carries this season.
This will be a big test for the front seven, particularly the linebackers. Dont’a Hightower, Jamie Collins, Ja’Whaun Bentley along with defensive lineman Lawrence Guy and rookie Christian Barmore will have to be physical with these running backs to limit their production on the ground.
As run defense has been a weakness for the team so far this season, the Patriots must step up and put forth their best effort in this game. Belichick will have to find the right combination to get it done and he will have to figure that out pretty quickly or the Cowboys will run the Patriots up and down the field on Sunday.
Prediction: New England Patriots 28, Dallas Cowboys 24
The New England Patriots are due to win a game at Gillette Stadium, and this is the perfect spot for them to pull an upset.
Next. Top 5 New England Patriots running backs of all time. dark
More satisfying than Skip Bayless having to watch his Cowboys upset by Bill Belichick and Mac Jones will be the Patriots running game finally getting back on tract. Both Damien Harris (if available) and Rhamondre Stevenson will both have big plays on the ground and the Patriots tight end duo of Hunter Henry and Jonnu Smith will both have touchdowns in this game.
The defense will create a couple of turnovers early in the game to set the tone and do just enough to limit that Cowboys offense from really erupting.