Why They Win: New England Patriots at Dallas Cowboys
Homecoming weekend comes early for Ezekiel Elliott.
The newly-minted New England Patriot returns to the AT&T corral on Sunday to face his original NFL posse for the first time as Foxborough's finest seek to create a winning streak against the Dallas Cowboys in Arlington. Elliott spent eight eventful seasons in Dallas before signing with the Patriots in the latter stages of this past offseason.
Both sides are coming off wildly varying Week 3 experiences: the Patriots are looking to create a winning streak after continuing their victorious monopoly over the New York Jets. Last week's 15-10 victory was a sloppy defensive slog but one that allowed New England to secure its 15th consecutive victory over Gang Green, tying the NFL record for most wins over a single opponent.
The Cowboys' dream of perfection and early NFC dominance was violently interrupted hours after that, as Dallas dropped a 28-16 decision to the Arizona Cardinals. It was a shocking road defeat that followed two opening victories earned by a combined 70-10 margin and one that removed Dallas from the ranks of the NFL's unbeatens.
Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott (4) is chased by Patriots defender Matthew Judon (9) during the team's last meeting in 2021
David Butler II, USA TODAY SPORTS
What: New England Patriots (1-2) at Dallas Cowboys (2-1)
Where: AT&T Stadium, Arlington, TX
When: 4:25 p.m. ET, Fox
Who's Won: Dallas leads series 8-6 (last: 10/21, 35-29 DAL)
Who's Favored: DAL -5.5
Feed Zeke (and Steve)
The Cowboys have reportedly expressed concerns that Elliott would be able to decipher their signals as he and his new companions arrive for a crucial contest. If they're worried about running backs, they may have some explaining to do far beyond another implied Spygate endeavor. Paced by steady carries from James Conner and Josh Dobbs, the Cardinals slowly ate away at the Cowboys' will with a 222-yard rushing game that helped them efficiently clean the clock after taking an early, permanent lead. Since the 2020 season kicked off, Dallas is now 7-19 when they allow at least 125 on the ground. That's perfect timing for Elliott and Rhamondre Stevenson to make their mark, as each found a semblance of momentum while keeping the offense afloat in the win over the Jets.
Gilmore Whirls
Elliott's return to the Lone Star State isn't the only reunion in store for Sunday, as the Patriots will also get to see Stephon Gilmore, one of the defensive heroes from their last Super Bowl team. Gilmore has been efficient enough for the Cowboys in the early going but he's going to have to take on a larger role in the absence of Trevon Diggs, who's now down for the season due to a practice injury. The Dallas defense, so dominant in opening wins over the NFL's downtrodden New York metropolitan duo, looked relatively shellshocked in the first game of the post-Diggs era, forced to turn to the potential-packed but inexperienced services of projects like DaRon Bland and Eric Scott Jr. With Micah Parsons in tow, there are assurances that the unit can make things right sooner or later. But with several Patriots aerial attackers looking for a breakout (i.e. JuJu Smith-Schuster), the timing to face the Dallas secondary couldn't be better.
It's Like Dak
Dallas found relative offensive euphoria on Sunday thanks to the efforts of its defense, which allowed embattled franchise quarterback Dak Prescott to take a relative backseat in the early affairs. But once Dallas faced the earliest adversity ... working with the lack of Diggs, running back Tony Pollard struggling to regain his breakout prowess, and a lasting deficit ... Prescott was forced into extended duty and wound up throwing 40 passes for the first time this season. A late end zone interception notwithstanding, Prescott was not the primary reason why America's Team fell in Glendale last week, but an excess amount of Dak is often a harbinger of Dallas doom: when Prescott throws at least 40 times in a game, the Cowboys are 7-15. Considering the Patriots' defense has done a solid job against the ground game thus far (ninth in the league at allowing just over 93 a game), Prescott might have to pull off a similar feat on Sunday.
