The Patriots and Cowboys weren’t scheduled to meet each other this year, but thanks to the 17th game being added they will.
Sunday’s matchup at Gillette Stadium features two of the most popular teams in the league and owners in Jerry Jones and Robert Kraft. It figures to be one of the most-watched games of the weekend, as it is a national CBS game with Jim Nantz and Tony Romo on the call.
New England enters the game following its win over Houston last Sunday, but Dallas may be one of the hottest teams in the league, as it has won four straight games following a tough loss to Tampa Bay on Opening Night.
One of the storylines this week has been can the Cowboys keep up their impressive play, as it would seem they are due for a let-down type game.
Cowboys vs. Patriots
Sunday, Oct. 17, 2021
Cowboys -3.5, over/under 50
4:25 p.m., CBS
3 keys to the game
Score lots of points
For the Patriots to have any chance of winning this game, they’re likely going to need to score their most points of the season. Coming into the game, their season-high is 25 and with Dallas scoring the second-most points in the league, getting into at least the high 20s is imperative. The offense has lacked explosive plays through five games, so this would be a good game for that to change. Also, getting a special teams or defensive touchdown could drastically change the game and help out the offense. The Patriots cannot expect this game to be low-scoring.
Win turnover battle
This is one of the keys every week, but even more so this week against Dallas. The Cowboys are second in the NFL with a plus-7 turnover differencial, where as the Patriots are in the bottom third at minus-3. New England cannot continue to turn the ball over like it has and expect to win. This is both protecting the ball when running with it, but also Mac Jones being extra careful with some of his throws. Defensively, the Patriots have six takeaways on the year, but four of them came in Week 2 against the Jets. More plays are needed from that unit.
Handle all of Dallas’ weapons
The Patriots defense played its best game of the year against Tampa Bay a few weeks ago, holding its high-powered offense to just 19 points. The secondary did a good job containing all of the Bucs’ receivers, but this matchup against Dallas might be even tougher. Not only do the Cowboys have a number of options in the passing game, they also have two great running backs in Ezekiel Elliott and Tony Pollard. It will be interesting to see how the defense defends all of Dallas’ options.
Fun Facts
1. According to @bostonsportsinf, the Patriots have scored just 10 total points in the first quarter over their last 12 regular-season games at home. They have trailed after the first quarter in 10 of these games.
2. The Patriots rank fifth in overall defense and fourth in defending the pass this season.
3. Matthew Judon can become the seventh player in Patriots history to have five straight games with a sack, and the first to do so since Chandler Jones in 2015.
4. If Jones completes 70 percent of his passes he will become the first rookie quarterback to ever complete 70 percent of his passes in five of his first six games.
5. New England already has four games with multiple turnovers this year. It had four all of last year.
Prediction (Season record: 3-2)
Patriots 27, Cowboys 24
This may be more about the Cowboys than the Patriots, but we just feel a let-down game coming for Dallas in its second of back-to-back road games and its bye week coming up. While the Patriots took a step back in Houston last week, but they did play their best game of the season the week before against the Buccaneers. The offense and defense seem to be making strides each week and this could be a season-changing game for the team with the hardest part of its schedule coming up over the next month-plus.
