Why Zeke may have an opportunity for a big day in Foxboro

[Bobhaze]

When Bill Belechick sits down with his coaches this week to game plan stopping the Cowboys, I believe their first concern will be stopping Dak Prescott.

For 4 years now, most opposing defensive coordinators have adopted the strategy, “Take Zeke away and make Dak beat us.” Well after 10 games this year, Dak Prescott has proven to be this team’s MVP and the reason they are still competing for the playoffs. Dak has almost buried the idea that the key to beating the Cowboys is to take away the running game with his strong performance this year.

In fact Dak joined the record book owned only by Joe Montana and Peyton Manning this week with his 4th passing game of 375 yds and at least 2 TDs in the same season. (Montana had 4, Peyton had 6) Dak is this offense’s number one weapon.

I don’t know if the Cowboys will be able to run on the pats. But I look for Belechick to place a huge emphasis on his D stopping number 4. Hopefully the running game can answer the call.

 

[Risen Star]

That defense has been historically good this year. Only the Ravens have cracked it.

I'm expecting complete domination on that side of the ball.

 

[Swagger]

Patriots will aim to stop our run game including Prescott using his legs. The Pats have an excellent secondary so surely their view will be if Prescott can beat them us in the air then fair play to him.

 

[simplycowboys210]

best offense vs best defense. dak will have to carry with of course good play calling by kellen moore vs THE GOAT Belechick

 

[erod]

When Bill Belechick sits down with his coaches this week to game plan stopping the Cowboys, I believe their first concern will be stopping Dak Prescott.

For 4 years now, most opposing defensive coordinators have adopted the strategy, “Take Zeke away and make Dak beat us.” Well after 10 games this year, Dak Prescott has proven to be this team’s MVP and the reason they are still competing for the playoffs. Dak has almost buried the idea that the key to beating the Cowboys is to take away the running game with his strong performance this year.

In fact Dak joined the record book owned only by Joe Montana and Peyton Manning this week with his 4th passing game of 375 yds and at least 2 TDs in the same season. (Montana had 4, Peyton had 6) Dak is this offense’s number one weapon.

I don’t know if the Cowboys will be able to run on the pats. But I look for Belechick to place a huge emphasis on his D stopping number 4. Hopefully the running game can answer the call.

He'll still take Zeke away first. That's still the book on Dallas.

But with Belichick, he'll go in and out of different game plans. He'll mix a lot of coverages. He'll disguise all types of things.

If Dak plays really well this week, I'll get excited. However, if he doesn't, then look out. It could get ugly from here.

Look at the Rams since Belichick showed the league how to play McVay and Goff. Ain't pretty.

 

[morasp]

On defense I would like to see Jourdan Lewis shadow Julian Edelman.

 

[catiii]

Agreed. Passing game (QB and WRs corp) is our biggest threat for points. I agree that he's going to focus on removing that threat. He's not afraid of 21 nearly as much.
I think we see a Blitzkrieg on Dak by their D.

 

[LandryFan]

When Bill Belechick sits down with his coaches this week to game plan stopping the Cowboys, I believe their first concern will be stopping Dak Prescott.

For 4 years now, most opposing defensive coordinators have adopted the strategy, “Take Zeke away and make Dak beat us.” Well after 10 games this year, Dak Prescott has proven to be this team’s MVP and the reason they are still competing for the playoffs. Dak has almost buried the idea that the key to beating the Cowboys is to take away the running game with his strong performance this year.

In fact Dak joined the record book owned only by Joe Montana and Peyton Manning this week with his 4th passing game of 375 yds and at least 2 TDs in the same season. (Montana had 4, Peyton had 6) Dak is this offense’s number one weapon.

I don’t know if the Cowboys will be able to run on the pats. But I look for Belechick to place a huge emphasis on his D stopping number 4. Hopefully the running game can answer the call.

We definitely need to be able to run effectively (regardless of Dak's success), but we also have to keep their run game in check and get to a stationary Brady several times (though Brady will probably get the ball out quickly in an attempt to negate the pass rush). TOP and field position will be critical to our hopes. Unfortunately, our "Not So ST's" have had us on the losing end of the field position battle all season so far. Something has to change there, though I don't know what can be done at this stage of the season. Our LB's have to be on their toes in this game. Hell, our whole team (especially the coaches) need to be in top form. We may get beat easily in this game, but this is also the type of game that the team has risen to the occasion on in the past...a win would be surprising, but not shocking, to me.

 

[JonesBoys]

Pats run defense has been suspect this year. You can run on them. Their pass defense has been great. If Zeke and the running game can’t get on track this week it may not happen at all. I’m not sure the Pats can stop the run without bringing more in the box.Dallas has a more talented roster but I fully expect Garrett to be thoroughly out-coached.

 

[reddyuta]

Ravens cracked it because they have a QB who can run it every play and the Pats play mostly man,Dak needs to run a lot to keep drives going.

 

[Bobhaze]

best offense vs best defense. dak will have to carry with of course good play calling by kellen moore vs THE GOAT Belechick

Yeah how scary is that matchup? The young mind of Kellen Moore vs the mind of the GOAT. Lol.

 

[Creeper]

The Ravens managed to beat the Patriots and that gave them a lot of confidence going forward. I think the Cowboys have a better group of receivers than the Ravens. If the defense gets after Brady maybe they can keep this close and steal it at the end.

 

[simplycowboys210]

Yeah how scary is that matchup? The young mind of Kellen Moore vs the mind of the GOAT. Lol.

Um, I didn't say it was scary at all? I mean hes a first year coordinator but im just hoping he calls it well isntead of complaining.

 

[CalPolyTechnique]

For some reason I’m strangely confident we’ve got a chance of winning this, based on the total unpredictability of this team.

 

[BleedinBlue]

I don't see the Patriots doing anything different against Dallas then they've done all year. Bill basically built the D to beat the Chiefs a one dimensional passing team. That's where Elliot comes into the picture. He'll allow his secondary to play man coverage like always. Deciphering the front 7 , who's coming/staying what the d translates to after the snap will be the problem. There's a chance Zeke could gain some yards as Ingram did for the Ravens but Dak must remain a threat.
The game might come down to how the D handles the dink and dunk of Brady. If they can bend but don't break it could be a low scoring game that Dallas might have a chance at the end. If the defense gives up long scoring drives time after time it will be hard to score to keep up. The Patriots are the # 1 D this year for a reason.

 

[KMY_Amber]

For some reason I’m strangely confident we’ve got a chance of winning this, based on the total unpredictability of this team.

Because this team can beat any team in the league (because they have enough talent in key positions), but can lose to any team in the league (like the Jets) because the coaching from game to game is pretty bad (stale strategies, predictable for long stretches in the games especially at the start, and nonexistent adjustments for long periods...and don't get me started on the defense not blitzing, or even threatening to blitz, absolutely no deception). And the players simply come out flat every 1st quarter, playing lackluster uninspired football (coupled with safe play calling), so it's a recipe to get behind. We rarely see ANYthing innovative or groundbreaking in the 1st quarter. Same crap every 1st quarter. It's like they have to get punched in the mouth to wake up. We have no choice but to fault the coaching staff since it's so consistent.

But if the front 4 can get pressure, and they control Edelman and the Pats' screens, they could slow Tom Terrific.

And if the o-line can block, Dak should be able to move the ball.

I expect this game to be close.

But they could also get blown out if the front 4 gets little pressure, and if Dak's arm can't move the ball consistently.

We'll see.

 

[JoeKing]

When Bill Belechick sits down with his coaches this week to game plan stopping the Cowboys, I believe their first concern will be stopping Dak Prescott.

For 4 years now, most opposing defensive coordinators have adopted the strategy, “Take Zeke away and make Dak beat us.” Well after 10 games this year, Dak Prescott has proven to be this team’s MVP and the reason they are still competing for the playoffs. Dak has almost buried the idea that the key to beating the Cowboys is to take away the running game with his strong performance this year.

In fact Dak joined the record book owned only by Joe Montana and Peyton Manning this week with his 4th passing game of 375 yds and at least 2 TDs in the same season. (Montana had 4, Peyton had 6) Dak is this offense’s number one weapon.

I don’t know if the Cowboys will be able to run on the pats. But I look for Belechick to place a huge emphasis on his D stopping number 4. Hopefully the running game can answer the call.

Having designs to stop Dak is harder said than done. He has too many weapons to just shut him down. He can be beat but it will require Tom Brady putting more points on the board. Defense may be the Patriots strength but it won't be what beats the Cowboys, that will require Brady to be greater than Dak, which the stats say he just hasn't been this season.

Maybe Zeke will be the difference in the game.

 

[uvaballa]

I hope he can at least get his second 20 yard rush of the year.

 

[glimmerman]

A lot will ride on how healthy Cooper and Cobb will be. They will try to stop Elliot. You have a better chance letting Dak try to beat you. If you let Elliot run them it will open WR. If you can stop Dak then it means your in his face. If you can do that then you can stop the run in the way to him.

If I am Moore than I let Dak use his feet this week. Let him fake to Elliot and keep it himself. I have been screaming it since the vikings game. They didn’t do it then and it took Moore watching the lions do it a few times before he remembered Dak can do that also. We have to stretch and keep there defense on the heels. Hard to do.

And our Defense has a big job. They have got to get off the field. Pressure brady and frustrate him. He will be looking to redeem himself after his poor game this last game. He usually don’t have back to back bad games. Don’t put Chido on edleman...

 

[cowboyec]

he could have a large role in our pass game also...screen passes,etc...