5 Ways Tony Romo Must Attack the New England Patriots Defense

The Cowboys travel to New England next week to face off against the New England Patriots and their vaunted offense. The Pats have the league’s No. 1 offense as they average almost 500 yards of offense per game.

While the Cowboys have the league’s fourth best defense, they still may have problems defending the pass. Another stat to throw out is that the ‘Boys allow 230 passing yards per game. But Dallas will get assistance this week against Wes Welker and the Pats crew of tight ends with a healthy Mike Jenkins, Terence Newman and a returning Orlando Scandrick.

The defense has its hands full trying to defend against Tom Brady, so how will Tony Romo and Jason Garrett attack the Pats defense?

Here are five ways Tony Romo can effectively assail New England’s defense.

Manage His Chances/Opportunities

Romo is probably looking at game film and studying the Patriots secondary thinking of the varied ways he can attack them. One thing that has to be admired about Romo is his willingness to take chances. It's paid off for him, but it's been to his detriment as well as evidenced by the outcomes of the Jets and Lions games.

But against the Pats head coach Jason Garrett must manage Romo’s game-plan better. Meaning limit the number of times he has a shot to make a mistake. If it's 3rd-and-15 from the Cowboys 20-yard line, just take what the defense gives you with a quick underneath route or simply run the ball.

Against the Lions, I said that I didn’t necessarily take issue with Garrett’s play-calling because I thought he did a great job of calling the right plays to get the Cowboys out to a 24-point lead. But when the lead started to slip, he needed to scale it back a bit.

The Patriots are opportunistic, and limiting the number of chances Tom Brady has to throw the ball will work in the Cowboys favor.

Utilize Dez Bryant on Screen Plays/Curl Routes

Here’s my issue with Dez Bryant. He seems to wear down as the game goes on, and he disappears after starting out like he’s been shot out of rocket.

So it could be a conditioning thing or it could be an injury thing, I’m not entirely sure. But what I am sure of is that Bryant needs to be one of Romo’s focal points throughout the entire game.

Bryant is a strong, physical receiver, and utilizing that strength and speed on bubble screens and curl routes should help Dallas move the chains.

Garrett probably won’t utilize Bryant much on curl routes, but if he’s able to get him open on slants or underneath routes, I think it’s a great way to keep the Pats defense honest.

Abuse Miles Austin

I know that Austin is coming back from a hamstring injury and may need to be eased back into the game. But remember how well he played against the Niners and how much he was missed when he went away?

Remember how the Cowboys receivers couldn’t remember how to line up or which routes to run against the Redskins?

That shouldn’t be an issue for Dallas next week with Bryant and Austin back.

With Romo’s ribs almost fully healed, he should have full velocity back on his balls, and his chemistry with Miles Austin should show itself early.

Use the Running Game

A plea to Mr. Jason Garrett. Please sir…Please sir, use Felix Jones, Tashard Choice and DeMarco Murray. Jones was lauded for his great play in the preseason by many fans, and it showed in his play as well.

But Garrett still fails to use Jones to his full potential. If he doesn’t run, then at least use him in the passing game with screens, in the flat and maybe quick outs. Anything to get the ball in such a dangerous player’s hands.

While I believe that Garrett wants to pass until Romo’s arm falls off, he needs to use all of the team’s weapons and not just a few.

Empty Set

Yeah I just did a bunch of “rah, rah” for Garrett to run the ball, but when he decides to pass, I saw throw the kitchen sink at New England.

Empty the backfield when possible with Dez, Miles, Laurent and Witten, and try to catch them off guard with maybe a quick screen or a crossing route.

As much I would love to see Jones tear the Pats up, I know how awful the Patriots are against the pass, giving up 366 yards per game, and Romo averages 318 yards per game. Until they are able to prove that they can stop the pass, then Garrett will use that against them.