NFL
By: Greg Rector
Ezekiel Elliott brings his new team to AT&T Stadium on Sunday afternoon. Let’s look at this game between the New England Patriots and the Dallas Cowboys.
Dallas Cowboys Offense
Dak Prescott and head coach/offensive play caller Mike McCarthy need to figure out how to solve the red zone issues that have been a source of much discomfort for fans of the Dallas Cowboys. Going one for five in the red zone was a nightmare the Dallas Cowboys couldn’t recover from against the Arizona Cardinals.
The interception at the end of that game saw Prescott throw into triple-coverage. That can’t happen again nor can we see McCarthy calling cute plays like he did with Ceedee Lamb on an earlier trip into the red zone. Especially, facing a team like the New England Patriots coached by the “Evil Genius” Bill Belichick who is well known for taking away the thing you like to do the most for an opposing offense.
This game requires a take on what the opponent gives you just as the first two games of the season called for and that must apply to the red zone area especially so for the Dallas Cowboys. So if Christian Gonzalez is covering Ceedee Lamb Dak Prescott needs to find whoever is open.
Dear Mike McCarthy: Please don’t get into your head that every play you have in mind is always going to be the correct play. Next time you decide to use a running play to Ceedee Lamb in the red zone why don’t you use Tony Pollard Rico Dowdle or Deuce Vaughn guys who know how to make plays from the backfield? Thank you so much signed by Cowboys Nation.
The New England Patriots defense is easily their best unit and Dak Prescott will need to be on his heels ready to sprint out if called for as they are currently ranked as the 4th best defense in the NFL in this 2023 season and that’s despite their secondary being injury-riddled.
Dallas Cowboys Defense
My second note goes to defensive coordinator Dan Quinn you had best fix the issues against the Arizona Cardinals really quickly. To give up 222 yards rushing was inexcusable and should have been fixed a lot sooner than it appeared to happen against the Cardinals.
The front seven was abysmal against the run and that issue wasn’t the case in the first two games of the season. Rhamondre Stevenson is a very good running back and of course, you should know how to defend against Ezekiel Elliott as well.
If not the man who signs the paychecks isn’t going to be happy. You don’t want or need Jerry Jones to be angry.
The Cowboys went down to the 5th best defense after week three and should be able to get right back into gear against Mac Jones and his receivers just as you’ve done in the first three games. The Cowboys are the third-best defense against the pass and the Patriots aren’t loaded at the receiver position. Dallas Cowboys – 130.7 passing yards per game allowed, 2-5 TD-INT, 59% completion rate, 6 yards per attempt allowed.
I’m not getting into the rumor mill regarding Mac Jones. That’s for those types who need to drum things up just to be seen and heard from. This Patriots offense ranks 26th in the league and if the Dallas Cowboys get back to being their normal modis opernadi from the first two games they should be able to contain the New England Patriots offense.
My Prediction
If Mike McCarthy and Dan Quinn get their two units back to playing the right way this game should be a blowout victory for the Dallas Cowboys. I have them getting back to doing the right things this week as they must before facing the San Francisco 49ers in week five. I have the Dallas Cowboys beating the New England Patriots by a score of 35 to 10.
As always you can find me on X @GregCowboys
