Patriots vs. Cowboys: 6 reasons we’re looking forward to Week 5

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4. Front seven facing a challenge

Before Week 4, the Patriots were the top sackers in the NFL having recorded 13 quarterback takedowns. Jamie Collins and Chandler Jones have led the way with 3.5 and 3 sacks respectively. Collins has been outstanding rushing up the middle from the interior linebacker positon, and Jones has been ferocious on the outside. Dont’a Hightower and Jabaal Sheard have also stood out in the pass rush.

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Now, the Cowboys’ offensive line is a force to be reckoned with. Personally, I’m excited to see how this unit reacts to the challenge presented in Week 5. So far, the defense has been pretty good as long as the pass rush provides a constant thorn in the side of the opposing quarterback, which masks some of the coverage deficiencies in the secondary.

I have a feeling that an interior lineman having a big game could be the difference. Keep an eye on Alan Branch, who had an outstanding sack of Blake Bortles in Week 3, as well as rookie Malcom Brown, who has been everything the Patriots could ask for so far in his young career. The Cowboys will be preoccupied with Jones, Sheard and Rob Ninkovich on the outside and Hightower and Collins blitzing from the second level, so the beefy guys in the middle could have a big day.

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