Pre Game Thread- We are on to the Cowboys

[TheRazorsEdge]

Houston rushed us with a fossilized version of Mark Ingram and a version of David Johnson who is better off playing BINGO at old timers night

pollard and Elliot are different monsters. These guys can run, explode, and separate

Godchaux is not the answer and our linebackers are slow... I think Hightower is getting better and playing faster game by game tho. Hopefully Collins brings some more speed and Uche can get healthy and it'll be much improved.

We prob won't feel the loss of Andersen because we hardly saw him...but he was supposed to the the run stuffing guy (along with Godchaux). I'd say Barmore is doing fantastic and Guy is ascending but we need more beef+ stoutness there on run downs

 

[PScottman]

These guys can run, explode, and separate

I hate when guys explode and separate. I think I still have some Arnst from LOST on me even now.

 

[Kontradiction]

What’s made Dallas harder to defense is the fact that McCarthy is actually using the ground game this season instead of a bombs away passing attack. A lot of posters theorized that we would just give the Bucs what they wanted on the ground to take the ball out of Brady’s hand when I can see this being that game. Give Dak 3-2-6 looks with lighter fronts, live with what Elliott and Pollard can get on the ground, and stifle them through the air.

 

[PScottman]

A lot of posters theorized that we would just give the Bucs what they wanted on the ground to take the ball out of Brady’s hand when I can see this being that game. Give Dak 3-2-6 looks with lighter fronts, live with what Elliott and Pollard can get on the ground, and stifle them through the air.

Is McCarthy a guy that will go no huddle? I ask because with such a balanced offense, changing up the looks would seem the best approach. some 3-2-6, some 2-3-6, some 3-3-5, etc, but that assumes the ability to make rapid substitutions (which contrary to past years can lead to some Patriots 12 men penalties unfortunately, but you work with what you got).

I like that they used Barmore more at DE last week with a Godchaux/Davis platoon at NT instead of just using him more on passing down/distance situations. It's a good balance of skillsets in case the offense passes on running downs and runs on throwing downs. Now if the Pats can get their "best defensive player" Wise to contribute....look out.

 

[Pape]

Enough with the fumbling.

Pats will need another rain storm to have a chance to hang with Dalls.

then make that ish happen Rainmaker!

 

[ashley]

Getting everyone ready for Tuesday...looks like Owenu will be cleared to play this week.

 

[Pape]

Getting everyone ready for Tuesday...looks like Owenu will be cleared to play this week.

That's good news... The Dallas dline is a titch better than the htown d line

 

[Pape]

What’s made Dallas harder to defense is the fact that McCarthy is actually using the ground game this season instead of a bombs away passing attack. A lot of posters theorized that we would just give the Bucs what they wanted on the ground to take the ball out of Brady’s hand when I can see this being that game. Give Dak 3-2-6 looks with lighter fronts, live with what Elliott and Pollard can get on the ground, and stifle them through the air.

Werent they missing a bunch of o linemen last year? Or they were playing hurt? Zewok Elliot had some rough sledding... Losing Dak didn't help either... Or maybe I'm misremembering the state of their line

 

[PATSYLICIOUS]

I've been watching Dallas closely this season ,(combo of networks and fantasy football). They are the real deal..very deep on offense. 2 tightends who make plays...2 very good wrs and one of the best 1-2 combos at rb we've seen. Dak is at an MVP level. They can score very fast and can also lean on the run/screen game and choke out games that way.

The positives are they aren't a good road team and the defense can be had.

I think the key will be Time of possession. Our run game has to be at its best.

If the trend continues we should see a better version of the team Sunday. It seems we are going to be a team that plays up and down to it's competition.

Would you say they play pretty clean ball or is there a lot of the mental errors Dallas has been known for? Think we need to win the turnover battle in this one. Sounds like home field adv will help

 

[Pape]

Godchaux is not the answer and our linebackers are slow... I think Hightower is getting better and playing faster game by game tho. Hopefully Collins brings some more speed and Uche can get healthy and it'll be much improved.

We prob won't feel the loss of Andersen because we hardly saw him...but he was supposed to the the run stuffing guy (along with Godchaux). I'd say Barmore is doing fantastic and Guy is ascending but we need more beef+ stoutness there on run downs

Godchaux just needs to be a wide body collapsing a gap or two... Gives barmore a chance to be effective

 

[StockingAnarchyNumber12]

The Pats of old shock the world and win this game.

We will find out if our team still has that in them this game.

 

[Rob0729]

They got no shot...

Didn't we hear that with Tampa? And the Pats could have beaten the Bucs if they didn't get stupid at the end of their final drive. Who knows? But after weeks of hearing the Bucs would win by three TDs or more, it ended up being a two point game.

 

[SHOWTIME15]

Getting everyone ready for Tuesday...looks like Owenu will be cleared to play this week.

Onwenu needs to play RT and Karras at LG, but that's good news

I would love to hear Romo's take on Mac...

 

[Rob0729]

Teams are still developing a book on Jones. So I think they will learn not to blitz him all the time.

Funny, though. Teams seem to be approaching him just they they approach most rookie QBs they don't have a book on and try to rattle him.

Personally, I would game plan against him like I would game plan against Brady. I think he has a lot of Brady in him and some of the weaknesses in his game might be very similar to Brady's weaknesses.

 

[Steve102]

I am done trying to figure this team out. I thought they'd get smoked by Tampa, and I thought they'd roll Houston. I'll just tune in and see what happens.

 

[Ross12]

Just picturing Josh getting home and having his wife unleashing a @DropKickFlutie-level tirade on him as he walks in the front door.

 

[Hammer of Thor]

Just picturing Josh getting home and having his wife unleashing a @DropKickFlutie-level tirade on him as he walks in the front door.

Have you ever seen @DropKickFlutie and McDaniels’ wife in the same room together at the same time? Just saying……

 

[patsinthesnow]

Is the better defensive gameplan to concentrate on defending the pass or the run vs the Cowboys though? The Pats went light against the Bucs and knew they could pin their ears back (no escapability with TB). They won't be able to do the same against Dallas for both their run game and Dak's ability to get outside the pocket.

Huge test. The front seven held Houston to 2.9 p/rush. I wager that was the gameplan - heavier front (Barmore played some DE yesterday - Davis and Gochaux rotating heavily to stay fresh) and make Mills beat them (almost did). That approach also slows the pass rush - a lot. Is that an approach against the Cowboys?

The Cowboys are unquestionably the hardest offense to defend in the NFL. Dak is second in passer rating & the cowboys are 3rd as a team in rushing ypc at 5.3. It's rare to have an offense that is elite at both. The 2012 patriots are probably the last pats team to do so with both TEs, Welker, Lloyd & in the passing game & Ridley adding 1200 on the ground. That team scored 35 PPG & this Cowboys team is at 34 PPG.

The Pats can play it one of two ways:

• Give up the run with light boxes & slow the game down. We've seen this gameplan a few times. Moreno getting 200+ yards & forcing the Peyton to hand the ball off in 2013 Broncos vs. Patriots - Box Score - November 24, 2013 - ESPN
  
  
• Put an eighth defender in the box & let Jackson & Jones vs. Cooper & Lamb decide the game

Regardless of which way they go the pats offense will need to score in the high 20s this week to have a chance IMO.

 

[BradytoMosstoGronk]

The Cowboys are unquestionably the hardest offense to defend in the NFL. Dak is second in passer rating & the cowboys are 3rd as a team in rushing ypc at 5.3. It's rare to have an offense that is elite at both. The 2012 patriots are probably the last pats team to do so with both TEs, Welker, Lloyd & in the passing game & Ridley adding 1200 on the ground. That team scored 35 PPG & this Cowboys team is at 34 PPG.

The Pats can play it one of two ways:

• Give up the run with light boxes & slow the game down. We've seen this gameplan a few times. Moreno getting 200+ yards & forcing the Peyton to hand the ball off in 2013 Broncos vs. Patriots - Box Score - November 24, 2013 - ESPN
  
  
• Put an eighth defender in the box & let Jackson & Jones vs. Cooper & Lamb decide the game

Regardless of which way they go the pats offense will need to score in the high 20s this week to have a chance IMO.

Well said. Probably the best cowboys team they've had since 2007/2014. We'll need 24, maybe 27 to win.

 

[Tbone7112000]

Damian Harris is a terrible football player and probably my least favorite player (from an on-field POV). I wish no injury upon him, but this team is a significantly better team with him as far away from the field as possible. Directly caused one loss already, and was almost responsible for another.

He's had bad moments, and yes has been directly involved in a loss and a "pull it out of your ass win against an awful team". That said, your POST and TAKE are not probably, but absolutely my least favorite. The kid has made mistakes; no doubt! He's talented and running behind a **** OL which has caused him to try to do too much. You run with Bolden, I still think the kid has "it" and will redeem himself.