SCOUTING THE MATCHUPS
When the Patriots run – Edge: Cowboys
Dallas’ vaunted protection is coming off a disastrous efficiency in Arizona, the place it allowed the Cardinals to rack up 222 yards at the flooring. It could be protected to suppose there will likely be extra consideration paid to the main points in Big D this week. Jonathan Hankins, Osa Odighizuwa, DeMarcus Lawrence and Dorance Armstrong include a large and bodily entrance that used to be embarrassed within the wasteland and can indubitably be taking a look to toughen. The Cowboys numbers preventing the run took an enormous hit because of the loss as fighters reasonable 131.1 yards consistent with recreation (twenty fifth within the league) and 5.3 yards consistent with lift (thirtieth) for the season. But the Cardinals recreation adopted an day out towards the Jets the place they restricted Breece Hall to only 8 yards, so remaining week’s slipup may well be regarded as a bit of of an aberration. On the turn facet, the Patriots are coming off their easiest dashing efficiency of the younger season with veteran Ezekiel Elliott main the best way with 80 yards on 16 carries. As a workforce the Patriots picked up 157 dashing yards on 40 makes an attempt towards the Jets, however Rhamondre Stevenson (19 carries, 59 yards) remains to be held in test. It will likely be attention-grabbing to peer if Bill Belichick lets in Elliott to be a larger issue towards his former workforce, however Stevenson will most likely stay the principle ball provider. Another issue running within the Patriots desire is the offensive line will have to stay in combination for a 2nd directly week after accidents avoided the gang from gaining a lot concord throughout the summer season.
When the Patriots cross – Edge: Cowboys
The numbers for the Cowboys secondary glance so much other, even with most sensible nook Trevon Diggs misplaced for the season to a torn ACL. Dallas lets in simply 130.7 yards consistent with recreation during the air and 5 yards consistent with cross, totals that rank 2nd and fourth within the league, respectively. Stephon Gilmore changed Diggs because the Cowboys most sensible nook and DaRon Bland moved right into a beginning function whilst former Miami first-round select Noah Igbinoghene takes the nickel again spot. Safeties Malik Hooker, Donovan Wilson and Jayron Kearse supply versatility at the again finish as neatly. But the Dallas cross protection begins before everything with flexible linebacker Micah Parsons. Parsons leads the workforce with 4 sacks and is a continuing presence for a cross rush that has gotten to the quarterback 12 instances already this season. Dallas’ 15.4 % sack-per-pass-play price is 2nd within the league, so the Patriots entrance will want to construct off an encouraging efficiency towards the Jets remaining week. Playing in combination for the primary time this season, the gang saved Mac Jones blank throughout the Jets recreation and can want the continuing development. Jones is leaning on tight ends Hunter Henry and Mike Gesicki in addition to Kendrick Bourne however not one of the workforce’s receivers has persistently grew to become in any large performs. Aside from Pharaoh Brown’s 58-yard landing catch, the Patriots have not made any large performs during the air. That will want to alternate towards a Cowboys protection this is tricky to stay out of the backfield.
When the Cowboys run – Edge: Patriots
Dallas trainer Mike McCarthy loves to run the soccer to arrange his offense and in Tony Pollard he has a perilous and flexible again to get the process accomplished. Pollard changed Elliott in Big D remaining yr and has bounced again effectively from the damaged leg that knocked him out of the divisional around playoff loss in San Francisco a yr in the past. Pollard averages 4.3 yards consistent with lift and has 264 yards and 2 touchdowns thru 3 weeks. Rico Dowdle backs him up and has been efficient in spot accountability. The key for the Cowboys is their large offensive line, which has been banged up in contemporary weeks. Tyron Smith, Tyler Smith, Tyler Biadasz, Zack Martin and Terence Steele make up a skilled staff however Biadasz, Martin and Tyron Smith all neglected the Cardinals loss because of harm. Their standing will likely be a key storyline to watch all the way through the week. The Patriots are coping with some harm issues of their very own at the line of defense. Davon Godchaux (ankle) and Daniel Ekaule (elbow) left the Jets recreation and didn’t go back, even supposing their absence had little impact on a powerful afternoon on run protection. The Patriots might want to modify their recreation plan a bit of in accordance with the Cowboys skill to be balanced on offense, not like the Jets who had to lean on Breece Hall with little danger within the passing recreation. So, the duty for the entrance seven will likely be tougher this time round.
When the Cowboys cross – Edge: Patriots
Dak Prescott is off to a somewhat asymmetric get started for the Cowboys. He struggled a bit of within the opener in spite of a very simple 40-0 victory over the Giants, as a lot of the ones issues had been created by means of the protection. He used to be sharp towards a tricky Jets protection the next week, and adopted that by means of racking up a ton of yards within the loss to the Cardinals, best to stall on 4 of 5 journeys to the crimson zone. He’s finished 67.6 % of his passes for 647 yards with 3 touchdowns and one past due interception within the Cardinals loss. CeeDee Lamb is his most sensible goal with 19 catches for 273 yards, even supposing he has but to seek out the top zone in 2023. Michael Gallup had a powerful recreation within the wasteland with six catches for 92 yards, and Jake Ferguson changed Dalton Schultz at tight finish and has been a competent goal with 10 grabs for 70 yards. Brandin Cooks is the Cowboys 3rd receiver, however Prescott makes use of Pollard and Dowdle extra steadily out of the backfield. If the offensive line is wholesome and provides Prescott time to throw, it’ll be a tricky take a look at on a Patriots secondary that has performed neatly with out Jonathan Jones. Rookie Christian Gonzalez has been remarkable to begin his occupation, restricting high quality receivers every week up to now. He’ll have his fingers complete as soon as once more with Lamb and Co. however given his efforts up to now it is a matchup he’s going to compete neatly in.
Special Teams – Edge: Cowboys
The Patriots have made some strides in seeking to repair their particular groups woes up to now in 2023, and there were some certain indicators. Jabrill Peppers had a forged 18-yard punt go back towards the Jets, and Brenden Schooler’s unbelievable blocked box function towards Miami used to be a spotlight of the younger season. But there were some missteps as neatly. The Jets Xavier Gipson had an 18-yard punt go back of his personal in addition to a 30-yard kickoff go back that gave New York forged box place. Rookie kicker Chad Ryland hasn’t had it simple up to now in his occupation as his 5 box function makes an attempt have come from 48, 48, 49, 51 and 57 yards. His misses from 48 and 57 had been at least in part because of top snaps from Joe Cardona, so the operation there hasn’t been as clean as anticipated. Cowboys kicker Brandon Aubrey has made all 10 of his box objectives up to now in addition to six of 7 PATs. Dallas has gotten little out of the go back recreation with KaVontae Turpin dealing with each punts and kicks. Peppers changed Demario Douglas on punts in New York after the rookie double clutched a good catch on his first strive. Both may see time in that division in Dallas. Veteran Bryan Anger has been very good punting for Dallas with a 50.4-yard reasonable, even supposing he is best had 8 makes an attempt in comparison to 17 for rookie Bryce Baringer.
[/gpt3]