FINAL: Dallas Cowboys Bludgeon New England Patriots 38-3
It is game day for the New England Patriots as they are on the road to face the 2-1 Dallas Cowboys.
The Patriots are looking for their first "signature" win - on the road against a playoff-caliber team with an elite quarterback - since beating the Buffalo Bills during that epic windstorm in 2021. New England's defense looks to stay dominant against quarterback Dak Prescott. In Week 3, the Patriots held the Jets quarterback Zach Wilson to 157 passing yards with three sacks.
After getting off to a hot start, Prescott and the Cowboys were served humble pie in Week 3 at the hands of the Arizona Cardinals in a 28-16 loss. The sloppy performance included 13 penalties for 107 yards, Red Zone struggles and the defense surrendering 222 rushing yards ... a number that coach likely lit up Bill Belichick's eyes.
Former Cowboy Ezekiel Elliott will be reunited with best friend Prescott on Sunday, in their first game opposing each other. Elliott is fresh off a an 80-yard rushing performance in the Patriots' 15-10 win vs. the New York Jets.
“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.
On the flip side, Quarterback Mac Jones and the Patriots offense under new offensive coordinator Bill O'Brien has shown signs of new life. In Week 3, Jones was mistake-free, decisive and efficient in the passing game, tossing a 58-yard touchdown pass to tight end Pharaoh Brown.
RECORDS: New England Patriots (1-2) at Dallas Cowboys (2-1)
ODDS: New England is a 7-point underdog vs. the Cowboys
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
First Quarter
Cowboys first drive saw them get all the way down to the one-yard-line before Dak Prescott and Tony Pollard collided on third-and-goal, as they were forced to settle for a field goal.
FIELD GOAL COWBOYS
Cowboys 3, Patriots 0
Change of Possession
Like the Cowboys, the Patriots drove down the field with relative ease until the redzone where an incomplete pass to Mike Gesicki on third-down helped Dallas hold New England to a field goal.
FIELD GOAL PATRIOTS
Cowboys 3, Patriots 3
Change of Possession
The Cowboys' second drive sees them go 75 yards in 10 plays as Prescott found CeeDee Lamb for a 20-yard touchdown.
TOUCHDOWN COWBOYS
Cowboys 10, Patriots 3
Change of Possession
Second Quarter
A false start penalty backed the Patriots up into a third-and-15 on a once-promising drive. However, following a 14-yard completion to JuJu Smith-Shuster, the Cowboys stuffed a quarterback sneak for a turnover on downs.
Change of Possession
The Cowboys go three-and-out as Prescott is sacked on third-down.
Change of Possession
Backed up inside their own 10-yard-line, a Jones sack turns into disaster as he was stripped of the ball before Leighton Vander Esch picks up the fumble and returns it for a score. The Cowboys added on with a fake PAT.
TOUCHDOWN COWBOYS
Cowboys 18, Patriots 3
Change of Possession
The Patriots are fortunate to have punted the football away after going three-and-out as Jones's pass intended for DeVante Parker was almost intercepted on third-down.
Change of Possession
An 11-play drive for the Cowboys ends in a field goal for Brandon Aubrey as the Patriots defense gets a redzone stand.
FIELD GOAL COWBOYS
Cowboys 21, Patriots 3
Change of Possession
With a chance to cut into the deficit before halftime, the Patriots' chance turns into disaster as Jones' pass is intercepted by DaRon Bland and returned for a touchdown.
TOUCHDOWN COWBOYS
Cowboys 28, Patriots 3
Change of Possession
The Patriots offense can't get much going before being forced to punt.
Change of Possession
The Cowboys tried to get in field goal range for a 66-yard field goal, but a false start backed them up before they eventually decided to take a knee to end the half.
Third Quarter
Another Patriots drive is derailed by a mistake from Jones as his pass intended for JuJu Smith-Schuster was picked off by DaRon Bland.
Change of Possession
The Cowboys' redzone struggles continue as Prescott is sacked on third and two inside the Patriots' 10-yard line, forcing them to settle for a 33-yard field goal.
FIELD GOAL COWBOYS
Cowboys 31, Patriots 3
Change of Possession
The Patriots don't get much going as they suffer another three-and-out.
Change of Possession
Cowboys' chance at points ends as they suffered a turnover on downs as Deatrich Wise Jr. sacked Dak Prescott.
Change of Possession
Bailey Zappe's first drive of the game brought similar results for the Patriots from what they had with Mac Jones, as they were forced to punt.
Change of Possession
Fourth Quarter
The Cowboys punt after picking up a first down.
Change of Possession
The Patriots follow up the punt with one of their own as they go three-and-out.
Change of Possession
The Cowboys added to their lead as they drove 63 yards on seven plays before Hunter Luepke found the endzone with a three-yard run.
TOUCHDOWN COWBOYS
Cowboys 38, Patriots 3
Change of Possession
The Patriots came up empty-handed as Ryland's 52-yard field goal was pushed wide right.
Change of Possession
The Cowboys, with Cooper Rush in at quarterback, kneel out of the game.
FINAL: Dallas Cowboys 38, New England Patriots 3
