The Patriots continue their back-to-back road games by visiting the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday afternoon for their first matchup of October. They're coming off their first win of the year, as they continued their streak of domination over the New York Jets, but the Cowboys enter this game under much different circumstances.
They started the year looking like one of the best teams in the league, with two blowout wins over the Giants and the Jets. It looked like they would continue to steamroll their way through the competition, but that came to an abrupt halt when they visited the Cardinals in week three.
Despite the complete overhaul of the Cardinals organization from top to bottom and having a backup quarterback in as their QB1, Arizona was able to get a solid win over the hot Cowboys team, which ultimately embarrassed them after two impressive wins.
Defensive coordinator Dan Quinn alluded to that being a motivating factor for Dallas to wreak havoc this Sunday, with the Patriots as the unfortunate victims as the next team on the schedule. But the Cardinals provided the blueprint for how to beat them, giving the Patriots a little extra help as they prepare for a tough battle.
The odds are not on their side, with the Cowboys currently favored by nearly a touchdown entering this game. But no matter if the Patriots win or lose, there are three bold predictions that wouldn't be shocking to see during this game.
Christian Gonzalez will continue hot streak and add another interception to his resume
As one of the most talked about yet not discussed enough parts of the Patriots 2023 season so far, Christian Gonzalez has been having one of the most impressive rookie performances in recent memory.
After falling into New England's lap in the first round of the draft earlier this year, Gonzalez has been one of the most consistent weapons on the team's defense through three games. He has been assigned some of the most talented receivers in the league to cover, including A.J. Brown, Tyreek Hill, and Garrett Wilson, and shut them all down better than most seasoned veterans in the league today.
With Jonathan and Marcus Jones out for this matchup in Dallas, Gonzalez's assignment will remain on par with what he's been dealt so far this season. He will likely be matched up with CeeDee Lamb, the Cowboys' best receiver, and hopefully be able to shut him down far better than what the Patriots did just two seasons ago.
In that game, Lamb totaled nine receptions for 149 yards and two touchdowns, one of which was the game-winner in overtime.
Although that's a tall task for a rookie cornerback, Gonzalez has proven he can cover the best of the best. And the Cardinals proved that Lamb can be limited with the right coverage, something the rookie has also proven he can handle this season.
That's why it seems like a good bold prediction to have Gonzalez adding another interception to his rookie campaign, maybe grabbing one of those deep balls to Lamb at some point in the game.
Ezekiel Elliott will score two touchdowns against former team
Although this may not be a typical revenge game we've grown accustomed to in the NFL, Ezekiel Elliott may treat it as such in his first matchup against his longtime former team.
The running back finally had a breakout game last week against the Jets, totaling 16 carries for 80 yards and leading the run game on the day. And hopefully, that will continue on Sunday, where we will see Mac Jones feed the new Patriots running back enough for him to score two touchdowns.
The New England offense was built around the idea that they would be a run-first team, with Rhamondre Stevenson leading the way. That is yet to happen this season, but playing in a dome where the weather won't be a factor and against a team that just allowed 222 rushing yards seems like the perfect day for it to all finally click.
It would be great to see Stevenson more involved in any capacity, whether on the ground or in the passing game, especially since he's coming off an impressive 1,000-yard season. It wouldn't be surprising to see him carry most of the load of the backfield, but Elliott is handed the ball in the red zone.
Bill O'Brien may be inclined to aim for that to happen, to allow him to score against his former team to prove they made a mistake releasing him earlier this year. Regardless, a bold prediction of Elliott scoring two touchdowns will hopefully not be so bold come Sunday night.
Matthew Judon will be credited for 1.5 sacks on Dak Prescott
Just when you thought you had seen the best from Matthew Judon as a Patriot over the last two years, he outperforms himself already through the first three games of the 2023 season.
The linebacker has been credited with four sacks in three games, including a safety and seven quarterback hits. With his performance this season, he beat Tedy Bruschi's all-time sack record to position himself within the top 10 list in franchise history. He can continue to break more records this season, starting with his own record he set in 2021.
With 6.5 sacks through the first five games that year, Judon broke a team record for the most sacks. Because he sits with four sacks through three games, he needs three more in the next two games to break that record this season.
That's why this bold prediction came to be. Judon will be credited with 1.5 sacks on Dak Prescott on Sunday, moving him within reach to break the record against the Saints in week five.
After that, he could easily plow through Garin Veris and Chandler Jones' all-time sack records, both totaling 36 and set his eyes on Richard Seymour in the seventh spot on the list. It would be an impressive feat, especially with how fast Judon will have accomplished it, and what a way to kick it off than a big-time game against the Cowboys.
The Patriots will capitalize on Cowboys' turnovers
Unlike what they've done so far this season, the Patriots will take advantage of the opportunities given by the mistakes the Cowboys make and capitalize on their turnovers. It has been one of the weakest parts of their performance through three games, completely blowing their chances, most notably in their losses to the Eagles and Dolphins.
In week one, they could not do anything positive on the field after Jabrill Peppers forced a fumble on Jalen Hurts. The offense got the ball at Philadelphia's 42-yard line, and in four plays, they totaled -7 yards.
It was a prime opportunity to get back in the game, as they were down 25-20 with over three minutes remaining. But history repeated itself, and they fell on their sword again, going three and out and handing the game back to the Eagles.
As bad as that was to start the season, things got worse the following week.
After the impressive blocked field goal by Brenden Schooler, Mac Jones led the offense down the field into Miami territory. Then, as they were just a few yards out of the red zone, the quarterback threw an interception to Xavien Howard, putting an immediate hold on their attempt to get back in the game.
Later in the fourth quarter, Christian Gonzalez equaled things out by recording his interception, but the Patriots' offense, once again, could not capitalize on the opportunity, resulting in another three-and-out drive.
They were given another opportunity late in the fourth quarter when the Dolphins missed a 55-yard field goal, giving the offense the football at midfield. They would make it to Miami's 33-yard line, have an impressive attempt at a first down by Mike Gesicki and Cole Strange, but ultimately have the call reversed, and the game ended right there.
This week will be different, though. Prescott is no stranger to turning the ball over, especially against the Patriots, and with a dominant defense like they have in New England, it's not too bold to say they will force a few opportunities for the offense to score some much-needed points.