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Patriots: 3 matchups where Pats are in trouble vs Cowboys

By Josie Rohach

Nov 24, 2019; Foxborough, MA, USA; Dallas Cowboys running back Ezekiel Elliott (21) breaks the tackle of New England Patriots outside linebacker Dont'a Hightower (54) during the second half at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 24, 2019; Foxborough, MA, USA; Dallas Cowboys running back Ezekiel Elliott (21) breaks the tackle of New England Patriots outside linebacker Dont'a Hightower (54) during the second half at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports /
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New England Patriots
Dak Prescott, Dallas Cowboys, New England Patriots. (Photo by Timothy Bouwer/ISI Photos/Getty Images) /

The New England Patriots are the underdogs heading into a game vs the Dallas Cowboys.

After barely squeaking by with a win against a below average Houston Texans team on Sunday, the New England Patriots have to look ahead to the 4-1 Dallas Cowboys who just decimated the New York Giants 44-20. The Cowboys are second in the league in average points per game at an even 34, trailing only Josh Allen and the Buffalo Bills.

Dallas’ explosive offense is going to cause problems for the New England defense. After the Texans were shut out by Buffalo, New England allowed them 22 points in a near-disaster of a game.

They have to clean it up and contain the passing game led by Dak Prescott on Sunday if they want to move to 3-3.

The Cowboys offense won’t be the only test for the Pats this weekend. Mac Jones will be challenged as well by a turnover-happy Dallas defense. Dallas is also fueled by a four game win streak and won’t take it easy on New England. It’s going to take everyone’s full effort to come out on top of this one.

3 matchups for New England Patriots to worry about vs Dallas Cowboys in Week 6.

3. Pass Defense vs Dak Prescott

Dak Prescott has been electric in 2021. Just one year after a season-ending ankle injury, he threw for 302 yards and two touchdowns last week against the Giants. Prescott’s throwing himself right into the top of the MVP conversation, and he has healthy weapons to target in Amari Cooper and CeeDee Lamb.

Normally, that wouldn’t be too much of a problem for the Patriots pass defense, but something major happened last week that makes this matchup a much more worrisome question mark. Despite being ranked fifth for passing yards allowed, the defense allowed backup rookie quarterback Davis Mills 312 yards and three touchdowns. Yikes. Maybe they felt they lost their safety net when Stephon Gilmore was released instead of activated? Something’s wrong here.

Mills targeted the secondary on multiple deep passes that connected without much defensive resistance. The corners couldn’t come up with an interception at any point despite some risky passes. Something just looked off. It needs to turn back on against Prescott.

On a positive note, the return of Jamie Collins included a big sack on Mills — one of three for the Patriots throughout the game. If the secondary is looking shaky, New England has to go for the root of the production in Prescott. The Eagles managed four sacks against Dallas and held him to 238 yards, so getting to their quarterback is possible. Dallas o-line isn’t quite what it used to be. It might be the best game plan for the Patriots.

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