5 Takeaways From the Patriots Win Over Dallas
Joe Calabro, GoLocalProv Sports Team
5 Takeaways From the Patriots Win Over Dallas
"Defensively, they gave us a look that we really hadn't seen them do before. They played a lot of the game in a dime defense, kind of a 3-2 look with McClain and Lee in the middle with six defensive backs. I thought Josh {McDaniel} and the offensive staff did a good job -- and the players -- making some in-game adjustments to deal with the new look that they gave us there," said Patriots head coach Bill Belichick after the game.
The Patriots used a field goal at the end of the first half, followed by a touchdown in the opening drive of the second half to give themselves a 20-3 lead.
GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLASTAfter a Cowboys field goal cut it to 20-6, Tom Brady found Julian Edelman on a 59 yard touchdown pass to put New England up 27-3 after a Gostkowski extra point.
The Numbers
Quarterback Tom Brady went 20-27 for 275 yards and two touchdowns for a passer rating of 70. Brady was sacked five times in the game and hit a number of others.
Running back Dion Lewis had six carries for 34 yards as well as 8 catches and a touchdown for 59 yards while Lagarrette Blount ran for 74 yards in the game.
Julian Edelman led the way with 120 yards receiving and a touchdown.
Next Up
The Patriots return to action on Sunday, October 18 when they visit the Indianapolis Colts on Sunday Night Football. The Patriots beat the Colts in last seasons AFC Championship game.
Kickoff is set for 8:30 p.m.
For more on this game, See the five takeaways slideshow below.
5 Takeaways From Patriots - Cowboys
Hightower injury
Patriots linebacker Donta Hightower went down in the first quarter and was later ruled out of the game with a rib injury.
While Hightower has not been great in coverage, he has helped the Patriots run defense.
If he is out for any length of time it would mean Jerod Mayo, who has been on and off the field is year for the Patriots, will see more time.
Mayo missed most of the last two seasons with injuries.
Also, expect Jamie Collins to have to step up as well.
Offensive line
Nate Solder and Patriots offensive line was brutal, especially in the first half where they gave up five sacks and a number of other quarterback hits.
The offense had one touchdown drive in the first half, the Brady sneak, where things looked back to normal as Brady was able to complete a pass or two and then go no huddle.
The o-line looked better in the second half but it was a scary start.
Run Defense
The Patriots run defense has struggled at times this season and coming into this game it was vital that they stopped the Dallas run game. They did.
The Cowboys rushed for barely 100 yards and could get nothing going in the second half, going 19 straight minutes without picking up a first down in the first half.
The defense relaxed a little bit in the second half with a big lead but they did the job they needed to do.
Dion Lewis
Earlier this week, the Patriots signed Dion Lewis to a two year deal and in this game, and so far this season, he has impressed.
Lewis had six carries for 34 yards as well as 8 catches and a touchdown for 59 yards but it's his shiftiness and ability to escape tackles and get those extra yards that has been impressive.
Lewis and Blount are becoming a great 1-2 punch for this offense.
Jabaal Sheard
The Patriots brought Jabaal Sheard over from Cleveland in the offseason and this was his breakout game.
Sheard had two sacks, one right before the half that got the Patriots the ball back, and another in the second half. Sheard also made numerous plays in the run game.
He is turning out to be a good find for Belichick.
