Dallas Cowboys Pass Offense Faces Big Road Test with Patriots

The Dallas Cowboys, the New England Patriots, Dak Prescott and Tom Brady. All the makings of a football game that NFL fans want to watch! It happens this Sunday afternoon in Foxborough, Massachusetts.

Dak as quarterback has come into his own this season as he is guiding the best offense statistically in the NFL. The Cowboys have plenty of weapons and one of the best running backs and offensive lines assembled. Dallas shouldn't concern themselves with getting Zeke to 100 yards rushing versus bearing the Patriots...on the road. Wide receiver Amari Cooper has been had his snap count monitored however Michael Gallup has been quick to pick up the receiving yards. Veterans Randal Cobb and tight end Jason Witten have contributed to the production as well. Quietly, tight end Blake Jarwin has been clutch in his few opportunities as well.

On the other hand, Tom Brady has had his offensive arsenal reduced severely! Gone are tight end Rob Gronkowski and wide receiver Josh Gordon. Wide receiver Muhammad Sanu is out and that leaves MVP Julian Edelman and a game time decision for Phillip Dorsett. The Patriots have running backs that catch well out of the backfield however with no one to stretch the defense deep, the coverage is not nearly affected. Enter offensive survival mode and the need for creativity from offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels.

The Patriots defense will have its hands full with the Dallas offense like most have this season. As solid a unit as any, the Patriots will have one of their biggest tests this season especially with the Cowboys firing on all cylinders. The Patriots must hurry and frustrate Dak Prescott enough to get him out of rhythm and rush his progressions.

The Cowboys defense will be without the services of linebacker Leighton Vander Esch however it is veteran Sean Lee and Joe Thomas who will be asked to perform in his absence. Obviously this is a loss to the Dallas defense, but it gives Lee a chance at old glory and Thomas a way to get valuable time on defense and become another viable defensive asset for the Cowboys. It will be interesting if cornerback Byron Jones will shadow Edelman or the scheme in the secondary will account for the MVP wide receiver.

It seems the weather should not be a deterrent to the special teams play for either team. Cowboys place kicker Brett Maher hopefully stays steady in contrast to the Patriots who are on their third kicker this season. Maybe this will be time for a Tavon Austin sighting in the return game for Dallas as well. Austin has scored from scrimmage and is dangerous when he gets loose in the return game.

Two division leaders, two teams that can possibly get to the Super Bowl this season and two teams that will create a lot of ratings this weekend. So to be fair, New England has the coaching advantage however the Dallas head coach has a longtime friend and teammate writing this article. I hate to lose and so does he.