It could’ve been a statement game, but it was more than the New England rain that ruined the Cowboys’ chances against the Patriots Sunday afternoon. The conditions were indeed miserable but it wasn’t hard to see which side was more prepared to succeed in them.
Dallas entered the game with hope but left with question marks and a 13-9 defeat on their ledger. Time is running out for the Cowboys in 2019 as they currently sit just a single game above .500 with five games left to play.
It was over when . . .
. . . Amari Cooper’s 20-yard reception on 4th-and-11 was reversed, turning the ball over to the Patriots and effectively ending the game. It briefly looked like Dak Prescott would have a shot to steal one in Foxborough, but the would-be game winning drive ended after just five plays.
Game balls
RB Ezekiel Elliott
Elliott accounted for 126 of Dallas’s 308 total yards. He took 21 carries for 86 rushing yards, slugging out tough runs in the wet conditions, especially in the first half. The team leaned heavily on Elliott and he delivered in moving them down the field.
WR Randall Cobb
Cobb’s recent surge continued, as he led the team in both targets (seven) and receiving yards (86). His 59-yard pickup and averted disaster in the fourth quarter was the Cowboys’ longest play of the game, and set up their best shot to reach the end zone.
Dak Prescott finds Randall Cobb for 59 yards in Cowboys-Patriots
(Via @dallascowboys)pic.twitter.com/I96UBUOhR4
— Jori Epstein (@JoriEpstein) November 24, 2019
Hot Boyz defensive line
The Dallas pass rush kept the Patriots offense in check, harassing Tom Brady for most of the game (two sacks, one fumble). DeMarcus Lawrence, Michael Bennett, and Maliek Collins combined for six tackles for loss and two QB hits, and Robert Quinn also recorded an early strip sack. They really forced the issue, and kept the Dallas offense in the game.
Key stat: 15%
The Cowboys were just two of 13 on third-down attempts in the game. On the season, they’ve been able to convert third downs 52% of the time, but New England’s league-leading defense was able to end drives and get off the field.
The Patriots themselves were only slightly better on third downs, going three of 14, highlighting just how close this game was.
Quick Hits:
- The difference in the game however, was special teams. The Dallas special teams ranked just 25th by DVOA, and committed multiple gaffes against the Patriots that cost them both points and valuable field position. It was an embarrassing and eye-opening effort for the Dallas coaching staff, especially compared to the opposite sideline.The Patriots blocked a punt which led to the only touchdown of the game, and utterly confused the Dallas punt team late in the third quarter, causing them to take two penalties and resulting in just a 32-yard kick. Brett Maher also missed his seventh field goal of the season.
- Dak Prescott went toe-to-toe with Tom Brady, nearly matching him across the board. It wasn’t the best game for the the MVP candidate however, who to put on gloves after starting without them. Prescott finished 19 of 33 for 212 yards, an interception, and no touchdowns.
- Tyron Smith was flagged three times, and committed one of the two tripping penalties called against the Cowboys offensive line. Travis Frederick committed the other, setting them up for failure during their comeback attempt.
- WR Amari Cooper was held without a catch for just the third time in his career. He’s been uncharacteristically quiet for the past two weeks, ceding big plays to Cobb and Michael Gallup.
- The Dallas run defense had another poor game, allowing 101 yards on the ground to the Patriots. Sony Michel’s 85 rushing yards were the most he’s recorded in a game since Week 6 against the Jets. New England only averaged 3.7 yards per rushing attempt, but still seemed to spring costly runs with ease. The Cowboys also had issues bringing down players, especially evident during WR Jakobi Meyers’ 32-yard catch and run in the second quarter.
- Jeff Heath’s valiant pass break up was the defensive play of the game, providing yet another highlight for the polarizing DB. He laid a legal hit with his shoulder to force out the ball, but paid the price in obviously aggravating his injured shoulder.
- This game represented yet another opportunity for this Cowboys team to establish itself amongst the league’s best, and yet again they fell just short. Perhaps the sea really has parted between them and the true title contenders this season, or eventually these close games will start to end in their favor. However, it still pains to think about this team’s true potential, and what they’re capable of.
- At 6-5, Dallas next faces the Bills on Thanksgiving Day. It’ll be a quick turnaround, and no easy task entering a crucial part of the season.
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