Week 6 NFL Picks: Predicting Dallas Cowboys vs. New England Patriots

The Dallas Cowboys come off their bye week to take on the New England Patriots.  While the Detroit Lions hold the best record of any of the teams the Cowboys have played to this point,  the Patriots are the toughest opponent the Cowboys have encountered this season to date.

Tom Brady is coming off of another ho-hum 300-yard passing game against the New York Jets.  Also, in that game, Wes Welker burned Darrelle Revis for a 73-yard catch.

The Cowboys spent the bye week in recovery mode.  Tony Romo spent the week cooling off from another historic collapse.  The Cowboys secondary took the opportunity to heal up.  Now, the cornerback trio of Mike Jenkins, Terence Newman and Orlando Scandrick are healthy for the first time this season.

A win by the Cowboys would put them in the middle—if not the front—of the wild card race.  Both 3-2 wild card teams in the NFC, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the New York Giants, face tough games against 4-1 teams.

In order to take this opportunity to get an edge on the competition the Cowboys must answer some questions.  Can Romo overcome himself to lead the Cowboys to victory?  Can Felix Jones be productive?  

Will the receivers and defensive backs take advantage of their health?  Can Scandrick contain Welker?  Will DeMarcus Ware and other Cowboys pass rushers break past the tough Patriots offensive line and put pressure on Brady?

Tony Romo

27-of-38, 402 yards, 4 passing TDs, 3 rushes, 5 yards

Romo will have a big day.  The Patriots, worst in the NFL in total defense, as well as pass defense, will do nothing to stop Romo's air attack.  

Romo will take advantage of gaping passing lanes to nail receivers.  Romo will be unafraid to air it out.  He will connect with receivers on at least a couple of occasions with receivers on long passes.  

While Romo will make some mistakes on reads, the Patriots won't make Romo pay for his mistakes.  Romo will escape and get the ball away without making terribly costly poor throws.

Felix Jones

13 rushes, 59 yards, 2 receptions, 12 yards

Felix Jones will be generally contained by the Patriots defense.  

The Patriots are 13th in rushing defense.  They're quite capable of stopping a good rusher.  

Jones will have several short gains.  In a couple of instances Jones will break out for substantial yardage.  Jones will nab one 20-yard gain.  It'll be another relatively slow day for Jones.

Miles Austin

7 receptions, 124 yards, TD, 2 rushes, 11 yards

Against the Patriots, Miles Austin will return to the radar of premier receivers.  Austin had missed the previous two games with a hamstring injury.  Now at full strength, Austin is ready to be the deep threat that he had been before.

Austin will break out for a very productive day.  Austin will break free several times.  He will grab some big catches, including a long bomb and at least one touchdown.

Also, Austin will find activity in the ground game.  Austin will take the ball on two end around plays.  On one play he'll earn the Cowboys a first down.

Dez Bryant

6 receptions, 140 yards, 2 TD

Like Austin, Dez Bryant will take full advantage of his good health.  Bryant has had a slow year thus far due to injury.  Against the Patriots, he will remind observers that he is about to become a great receiver.

Bryant will run free.  On a few occasions, he'll make open catches.  Twice he will find the end zone.  Romo will connect with Bryant on at least one deep pass.  

This will be a very refreshing game for Bryant.

DeMarcus Ware

2 tackles, 1 tackle for loss, 1 sack

Ware will have a fairly decent game.  This is one game where Ware will need to work especially hard to earn his keep.  Ware, as well as the other Cowboys pass rushers, will be challenged by the tough Patriots offensive line.

Ware will have some success breaking through.  He will get to Brady on a few occasions.  On one play, Ware will jump on Brady for a sack.

Sean Lee

6 tackles, 1 pass deflection

Sean Lee will have a difficult challenge.  He will have to patrol the middle on pass plays.  Also, Lee will be charged with containing BenJarvis Green-Ellis.

Lee will succeed in one task, but not the other.  Brady will be able to slip some passes underneath before Lee can get involved.  Brady will lace the ball inside the gap in coverage.

Lee will be able to help contain Green-Ellis.  He'll make some solid tackles on Green-Ellis.  Lee will keep him from breaking out to the extent he can.

Orlando Scandrick

3 tackles

Scandrick doesn't have the comfort of easing back into action.  He'll come back from missing three games due to a high ankle sprain to face up with Welker, who is on pace to set records for receptions and receiving yards.

Scandrick will need extra help to battle Welker.  Having help over the top will help him man Welker.  However, Welker won't be stopped by double coverage.

Welker will get the better of Scandrick.  On a few occasions, Welker will get separation to make significant catches.  On one occasion, Brady will connect with Welker on a big pass play.

While Scandrick will make a few good tackles on Welker, this will be a rough return for Scandrick. 

Dan Bailey

1/1 FG, 4/4 XP

Dan Bailey will have a strong game.  At some point in the game, Bailey will hit a key field goal.  Every point will count.  In this game, Bailey will make his presence count.

Prediction

Prediction:  Patriots 41, Cowboys 31

The Cowboys defense has been solid.  However, a solid offensive line wins against a good defense in this showdown.  

The Patriots offensive front will be generally successful blocking the Cowboys rushers.  Ware might be able to gain some success.  On the other hand, Anthony Spencer and Jason Hatcher will struggle to break through.

Since the Patriots offensive line will hold strong, Brady will be very successful.  While Romo will succeed wildly, Brady will fly even higher.  This will be another 400-yard game.  Also, Brady will nail receivers for at least four touchdown passes.  

This is a legendary season in the making for both Brady and Welker.  Both are rolling at record paces.  Neither will be stopped by the Cowboys.  Brady is tough for even the best defenses to stop.  The same is true for Welker.  Even Revis and Antonio Cromartie couldn't slow Welker.

Romo will be great.  However, his strong performance won't be enough.  He'll struggle to keep up with Brady's torrent attack.  The Cowboys will be playing at a deficit for a significant amount of the game.  Unfortunately, Romo won't have much of a chance to lead the Cowboys back.

This will be a hard loss for the Cowboys.  However, the loss won't be devastating since it's only Week 6.

Besides, the NFC affords them chances to rally as the season progresses.