Where the Dallas Cowboys can Attack the New England Patriots
Now that the Dallas Cowboys 3-game home stretch is over, they come into their game against the New England Patriots at 4-1. The Patriots are only 2-3 but it's a little deceiving. Mac Jones has one of the best accuracy marks in the league (71.1%), but most of these passes have been relatively short passes, […]
Now that the Dallas Cowboys 3-game home stretch is over, they come into their game against the New England Patriots at 4-1.
The Patriots are only 2-3 but it's a little deceiving. Mac Jones has one of the best accuracy marks in the league (71.1%), but most of these passes have been relatively short passes, and his biggest plays have come in the center of the field.
Despite trading away Stephon Gilmore, their secondary still has players like J.C. Jackson and Adrian Phillips who are both still really good players. Even still, this defense is confusing. They'll keep Tom Brady and the Buccaneers under 20 points one week, but allow Davis Mills to complete over 300 yards and 3 touchdowns the next.
It's been a very inconsistent team. Inconsistency isn't something Bill Belichick likes.
This isn't a Patriots team lead by Tom Brady and is a Super Bowl favorite like in the past. That doesn't mean they should be taken lightly either.
This isn't a team that has plenty of firepower. The Dallas Cowboys across the board have more talent on both sides of the ball to win this game. But with Belichick calling the shots, it's never an easy win.
The Patriots are disciplined and their weaknesses are specific. Enough that if they're taken care of, the Dallas Cowboys should make good work in Foxborough.
Force Mac Jones to Throw Deep/Left
Mac Jones is an accurate passer in to his right, in-between the hashes and under 10 yards from the line of scrimmage.
According to NextGenStats, when forced to throw left of the hash marks is a different story. 4 of his 5 interceptions have come when he throws to his left and 10+ yards down the field.
Jones has taken 190 passes 10+ yards down the field and not only has he thrown more interceptions (4) than touchdowns (2) but he only has a 47.5% completion percentage.
Simply put, if the Dallas Cowboys can prevent short passes, and force Jones his weak side, he's a much less accurate quarterback than what the stat line suggests.
Take Advantage of a Hurt Offensive Line
Injuries happen, and sometimes it's more about how a team is able to overcome them. However, when it's your offensive line protecting your rookie quarterback, that's tough.
Here's how the offensive line looks:
LT Isaiah Wynn: COVID-19/reserve list
LG Mike Onwenu: coming off the COVID-19/reserve list
RG Shaq Mason: abdomen
RT Trent Brown: IR
OT Justin Herron: abdomen
The Dallas Cowboys have 55 QB pressures on the season. Players like Randy Gregory, Osa Odighizuwa, Micah Parson and Tarell Basham are going to have to continue generating pressure in the passing game.
Don't Allow the NE Running Game to Develop
The Patriots want to develop a consistent running game to take pressure off their rookie quarterback. When it works, they've succeeded. Otherwise, it's a serious deterrent.
The Patriots are 2-1 when they rush for over 100 yards. When they've been held under, Mac Jones has had to throw more than they would want. Jones' numbers in those games (New Orleans and Tampa Bay) 61/91 545 yards 3 touchdowns and 4 interceptions.
Only once all year have the Dallas Cowboys allowed over 100 yards rushing, and that was against the Panthers. However, 31% of those rushing yards came from Sam Darnold. The Patriots don't have an quarterback who can be a mobile threat in the same way. If their running backs can't get going, neither will their offense.
Beware Biadasz/Steele's Blocking Assignments
DISCLAIMER: This is along one.
What if I told you the Dallas Cowboys have 4 offensive linemen who all are graded in the top 10 at their position, according to PFF?
Tyron Smith 2nd among OTs
Zack Martin 1st among OGs
Connor McGovern 3rd among OGs
Connor Williams 9th among OGs
Notice anybody missing?
Terrance Steele has been playing solid in La'el Collins's absence but has still shown issues setting the edge in pass protection. He's been formidable in run blocking but there's a big reason why pass protection is so important: Matt Judon. The Patriots leader in sacks and QB pressures.
Matt Judon roams on both edges, and as the Patriots best pass rusher will cover the outside of the lesser offensive tackle. Think along the lines of when the Cowboys put Micah Parsons over Storm Norton in the Chargers game.
To be fair, Steele hasn't been the weak link of the offensive line. Tyler Biadasz was expected to take the next step after a promising rookie season, but seemingly isn't progressing the way he is supposed to.
Not only has he been the target of heavy blitzes up the middle, but last game created another issue.
It's not enough that Biadasz has been an inconsistent blocker, but he can't afford to have bad snaps with the offense playing as well as it has been.
Look for the Dallas Cowboys to continue to use their guards to aid Biadasz in pass protection, and New England to exploit it with heavy blitzes.
Since the Patriots primarily only keep one safety deep, they'll keep 6-8 players in the block each time. Both Steele and Biadasz are going to be tested.
