Dallas Cowboys vs. Patriots Preview: Tyron Officially OUT, Ezekiel Elliott Returns
FRISCO - The Dallas Cowboys welcome the New England Patriots to the friendly confines of AT&T Stadium on Sunday afternoon. A victory would be the Cowboys 10th consecutive home win. … but it will have to come without the help of Tyron Smith.
After getting off to a hot start, the Cowboys were served humble pie in Week 3 at the hands of the Arizona Cardinals in a 28-16 loss. Dallas looks to right a sloppy performance that included 13 penalties for 107 yards, red zone struggles and the defense surrendering 222 rushing yards... A number that coach Bill Belichick's eyes likely lit up at.
The silver linings? Brandon Aubrey is the first rookie kicker in franchise history to make his first 10 career field goal attempts. Receiver Michael Gallup and running back Rico Dowdle also made their presence felt: Dowdle scored his first NFL touchdown while Gallup finished with with six catches for 92 yards.
Starting blockers Zack Martin and Tyler Biadasz plan to play as they rehab from injuries, but Tyron on Friday was officially ruled out.
Quarterback Dak Prescott will be reunited with best friend and former Cowboy, Ezekiel Elliott. Elliott is fresh off a an 80-yard rushing performance in the Patriots' 15-10 win vs. the New York Jets. Owner Jerry Jones alluded there would be a welcome-home surprise for Elliott.
“It’s going to be fun," said Elliott, scheduled to return to Dallas in Week 4 to play his old pals. "I’m excited to go back to Dallas, a place where I have so much history ... my home in the offseason. It will be cool to get back in AT&T Stadium.”
Former Cowboys backup quarterback Will Grier also recently signed with the Patriots. Cowboys offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer will change hand signals as he believes Zeke and Grier will help the Patriots prepare.
After an uninspired Week 3, the Dallas defense looks to get after Patriots quarterback Mac Jones. The Patriots offense under new offensive coordinator Bill O'Brien has shown signs of new life, with Jones being decisive and efficient in the passing game. Jones tossed a 58-yard touchdown pass to tight end Pharaoh Brown and played mistake free in Week 3.
The hopefully healthy 2023 Dallas squad hopes to improve on a 12-5 campaign of a year ago and usurp the Philadelphia Eagles as NFC East Division champions. Entering week 4, Dallas is tied with Washington behind the undefeated Eagles who sit stop the division.
FUN FACT: Tony Pollard leads the NFL with 64 carries and 72 touches. Pollard’s 74 touches are the most by a Cowboys player through the first three games of a season since Ezekiel Elliott had 76 touches in the first three contests of his rookie season in 2016.
RECORDS: Dallas Cowboys (2-1) vs. New England Patriots (1-2)
ODDS: Dallas is a 7-point favorite vs. the Patriots
GAME TIME: Sunday, October 1, 2023 at 3:25 p.m. CT
LOCATION: AT&T Stadium - Arlington, Texas
TV/RADIO: FOX, 105.3 The Fan
THE FINAL WORD: This week, it's about what wasn't said.
In his Wednesday press-conference preview of the Cowboys, Belichick gushed about Dallas for five full minutes. In all, he mentioned - by name - 21 players, coaches and front-office personnel. Curiously, Belichick didn't utter a single word about quarterback Dak Prescott.
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