The Dallas Cowboys return home this week to host the New England Patriots.
The entire team was terrible a week ago against Arizona, and they played with their food being heavy favorites.
The Patriots come into this game 1-2 with close losses to the Eagles and Dolphins, so it's not like they haven't played well in their first three games.
GAME INFO:
Date: Sunday, October 1 | Time: 3:25 p.m. CT
Location: AT&T Stadium, Arlington, Texas
TV: FOX | Stream: NFL+ & FuboTV
Radio:105.3 The Fan (KRLD-FM), 107.5 La Grande in Spanish (KMVK-FM)
ODDS:
ESPN Matchup Predictor Odds to Win: Dallas (68.6%), New England (31.2%).
Fanduel Sportsbook Odds: (O/U: 43.5) | Line: DAL -6.5.
Zack Martin and Tyler Biadasz worked on some side work on Wednesday, while Tyron Smith was not on the field during the portion of practice open to reporters.
Cowboys RG Zack Martin (ankle) and C Tyler Biadasz (hamstring) are working to the side today with director of rehabilitation Britt Brown. They appear to be further ahead than LT Tyron Smith (knee), who was not on field during portion of practice open to reporters. pic.twitter.com/UqzdTFqIvM
— Michael Gehlken (@GehlkenNFL) September 27, 2023
The Cowboys will need at least one or two of these guys to play.
They can not try and run the starting offensive line group they did last week against Arizona; they weren't good.
The red zone should be the first and the most worked-on situation this week at practice.
This team is fine from 20-20 but couldn't punch it in last week.
Cowboys coach Mike McCarthy on their red zone issues: “I think the reality of the red zone is we have to look at all the numbers. I think clearly the fact that we've been down there 15 times, it's the best in the National Football League. From my experience, that's been the hard…
— Jon Machota (@jonmachota) September 27, 2023
Yes, not having two Hall of Famers and 17 combined Pro Bowl selections on the offensive line hurt.
Regardless, they need to get into the end zone.
Brandon Aubrey has been the best kicker in football, so they have no problem getting at least three points.
The defense had it's worst game since I can remember.
Giving up over 220 yards on the ground is not acceptable.
You are supposed to be a top-three defense in football; you can't let that happen.
Trevon Diggs's injury was still fresh with many of those guys. Either way, they must be better against a Bill Belichick-led football team.
Ezekiel Elliott returns to AT&T Stadium for the first time as a non-Cowboys player.
You know they will want to get him going and try to feed him early and often.
I think they have been a tad too cute.
Sometimes, the best RZ offense is just throwing back-shoulder fades and jump balls to your No. 1 WRs. https://t.co/axl1gDoR3p
— Marcus Mosher (@Marcus_Mosher) September 25, 2023
If I had to guess, he will score at some point, but it will probably be after the Cowboys are up a couple of scores.
The red zone offense will be better this week. The defense will stop the run.
If they win the toss, expect the Cowboys to get the ball first and want to score a touchdown.
Make Mac Jones try and beat you, and I honestly think we will see the offense for Dallas be fine.
They didn't have three starting offensive linemen, that makes a difference.
Micah and the defense will find their way back. I don't expect them to get embarrassed like that again.
Mazi Smith, where have you been? He is really starting to look a lot like Taco Charlton. An absolute bust of a pick from the Dallas Cowboys.
He and the rest of the run defense need to start showing up.
Cowboys rebound after last week, setting up a huge matchup against the Niners on Sunday Night football next week.
Cowboys win this game 27-17. Score will make it look closer than it really is.
