New England Patriots: Winners and Losers from Pats' Win vs. Cowboys

Sunday’s 20-16 victory over the Dallas Cowboys displayed a new kind of Patriots football: one where defense and clock management combined for a low-scoring slugfest.

The Patriots failed to score 30 points for the first time this season but held their opponent to a season-low 16 in a game that was decided on a two-minute drill Tom Brady touchdown drive.

There were many winners and losers from the contest—the first of its kind for the 2011 New England Patriots.

Winner: Tom Brady

In his worst statistical showing of the season, Brady still proved why he’s the leader of the best offense in football.

Despite two interceptions and a mediocre 82.3 passer rating, Brady was in control throughout the contest with a touchdown drive in the final two minutes.

Ensuing commentary from his teammates shows the faith they have in their leader (“It’s times like this when we show what we’re made of” – Deion Branch) and Brady’s leadership in close games is the intangible quality that inspires every cog in the offense.

Loser: Wes Welker

The 5’9” workhorse of the Patriots passing game had his lowest output of the season (6 receptions, 45 yards) in an effort that comforted Patriots fans around the country.

Welker had been outright overworked in the season’s first five games and needed such a reprieve from his weekly beating to head into the Week 7 bye while still healthy.

Tom Brady needs his favorite target for a long playoff run and Welker needs to lighten his load to remain in top condition through Week 20.

Winner: Danny Woodhead

Last year’s pass-catching threat out of the backfield returned from injury to help the team on their critical fourth-quarter comeback.

Despite recent reports that his role would be assumed by rookies Stevan Ridley or Shane Vereen, Woodhead asserted his value as a change-of-pace back to complement starter BenJarvus Green-Ellis.

Testing Woodhead’s health when the game mattered most is a powerful vote of confidence in the unheralded back and we should see a consistent role for him going forward.

Loser: Patriots Rookie Running Backs

BenJarvus Green-Ellis maintained his hold on the starting job with a decent 58 yards on 14 carries, but high-end 2011 draft picks Stevan Ridley and Shane Vereen failed to impress.

Ridley broke out against the Oakland Raiders in Week 4 with 97 yards and touchdown but has failed to reach 20 yards rushing in either game since. Shane Vereen, taken before Ridley as the 56th-overall pick in the second round, has failed to see game action yet this season as a powerful option behind Green-Ellis.

With Danny Woodhead returning to reclaim his role in the offense, we may not see valuable contributions from the Patriots rookie running backs this season.

Winner: Patriots Run Defense

The Patriots consistently contained the run for the first time this season in an effort that held Dallas backs to 77 yards on 24 carries. Linebacker Brandon Spikes finally filled in as an adequate replacement for injured All-Pro Jerod Mayo, who returned to practice last Friday and is essential for the long haul.

The defensive line is tailored for run defense behind mammoth DT Vince Wilfork. Eliminating opponents’ ground games may be the key to offsetting the Patriots problems in the secondary.

Loser: Patriots Secondary

New England still leads in league in passing yards allowed as the defense has turned opposing quarterbacks into lesser versions of their own Hall of Fame quarterback.

Tony Romo finished with an even better line (identical 27 for 41 completions, more yards) than Brady and likely would have won the game if not for anemic production from his backfield.

Andre Carter emerged on the defensive line with two sacks, but this pressure has been all too rare in 2011 and the secondary is unproven and banged up with a hand injury limiting the leader of their secondary, FS Patrick Chung.