Coming off of a hard fought win against the Jets, the Patriots play the Cowboys at home in a matchup that either results in a blowout or a nail biter. Will Devin McCourty and company be able to stop the talented but troubled Dez Bryant and Miles Austin? Does Jason Witten become a zero factor like Antonio Gates did in the San Diego game earlier this year?
I predict that this will be a battle of defenses and one the Patriots will win. Tony Romo is overrated and is protected by a young offensive line that can't protect a rock much less a quarterback.
Game Info:
- Played at Gillette Stadium
- Starts on Sunday, Oct 16, 2011 at 4:15PM EDT
- On Fox
Pats Injury Report:
- Josh Barrett, thumb
- Jerod Mayo, knee
There are a few injuries that will be determined at the start of the game..
Key Matchups:
- Dez Bryant and Miles Austin vs Pats Secondary
- I'm torn on how the secondary will play against these guys. They're not better than Santonio Holmes and Plaxico Burres who where shutdown last week, but they do have a better quarterback in Romo throwing to them. The secondary's success will live and die with the pressure on Romo
- Anthony Spencer and DeMarcus Ware vs Pats OLine
- Tom Brady was sacked four times and hit five times by a weak group of Jets lineman that don't compare to DeMarcus Ware or Anthony Spencer. To say I'm worried is an understatement
- Sean Lee vs Green-Ellis/Gronk
- I'm not familier with who will cover Gronk or shadow Green-Ellis on the Cowboys, so I'll just stick with Sean Lee with the worst task on the Cowboys. Gronk should be over his flu by now and Green-Ellis is playing like no tomorrow
- Phil Costa vs Vince Wilfork
- Earlier this week Costa said that Wilfork is just a 'speed bump'. Wilfork responded with 'I'll be there Sunday. He can tell me that then'. He will be there in full force
Questions:
- Did Phil Costa bring on the wrath of Vince Wilfork upon himself?
- Will the Patriots be able to stop Jason Witten?
- Does Dez Bryant torch the Patriots secondary?
- Will Mark Anderson get another sack today?
- Does the offensive line allow any sacks?
Predictions:
- Tony Romo will come on strong first quarter but will be flustered in the second half
- Deion Branch will show up
- The Pats will bring the rush
- Tony Romo gets sacked at least 2 times
Patriots 34, Cowboys 27
This is an archived article originally published on
October 16, 2011.
Content reflects the editorial context of its original publication date.
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