Patriots and Cowboys clash in battle of NFL unbeatens
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The New England Patriots and Dallas Cowboys put their perfect records on the line Sunday in a National Football League clash some are billing as a possible Super Bowl preview.
The game marks just the third time since 1973, and fifth all-time, that teams boasting records of at least 5-0 have clashed in the NFL.
New England were involved the last time, too, improving to 6-0 with a 13-7 victory over the visiting New York Jets on October 24, 2004.
The Patriots have barely broken a sweat in storming through their first five opponents, rolling up a league-high 182 points and winning by an average of 23 points per game.
The Cowboys haven't been as dominant, but showed their mettle Monday by scoring nine points in the final 20 seconds to pin a last-second 25-24 defeat on the Buffalo Bills.
"Let's not make more of it than it is," Patriots cornerback Ellis Hobbs said. "We think of it as a big game because it's the next game. This is not, quote, unquote, a Super Bowl matchup."
Quarterback Tom Brady, with a revamped receiving corps headed by Randy Moss, has thrown at least three touchdown passes in his first five games, tying the NFL record to start a season held by Steve Young.
Statistically, Brady had his worst game of the season in last Sunday's 34-17 win over the Cleveland Browns. He completed 22-of-38 passes for 265 yards.
Moss, who became the first player to go over 100 yards in the first four games with his new team, was held to 46 yards on three catches. He has seven TD receptions for the season.
Brady is hitting on 74 percent of his passes (117-of-158) with a glittering 16 TD passes against just two interceptions.
Even without starting running back Laurence Maroney the past two games, the Patriots' running game hasn't missed a beat. Backup Sammy Morris has logged back-to-back 100-yard games, carrying 21 times in each.
Under first-year coach Wade Phillips, the Cowboys are seeking their first 6-0 start since 1983 and fifth in club history.
Tony Romo rebounded from a dismal first half to rally the Cowboys to the wild win against the Bills, which was decided by Nick Folk's 53-yard field goal as time expired.
Despite throwing five interceptions - four in the first half - and losing a fumble, Romo finished 29-of-50 for 309 yards and two touchdowns.
It continued a pattern of outstanding second-half play by the Cowboys, who have scored a league-high 122 points after halftime.
Romo knows he can't afford a similar performance against the Patriots, but he said he won't dwell on it.
"It's easier to win the football game if you don't give it to the other team," he said. "Obviously I'll take care of the football this week. If I see a guy and feel like he's open, I'm going to try to throw the ball."
The league's other remaining unbeaten team, the Indianapolis Colts, have the week off.
The week's action features a trio of teams, St. Louis, New Orleans and Miami, vying for a first victory of the season. All three are on the road, St. Louis at Baltimore, New Orleans at Seattle and Miami at Cleveland.
The Rams will be seeking to avoid just the second 0-6 start in franchise history, the other coming in 1962 when they were located in Los Angeles.
The Green Bay Packers will try to rebound from their first defeat of the season when they host the Washington Redskins.
The Chicago Bears, who may have salvaged their season with an unexpected win over the Packers last week, take aim at another NFC North division rival when they host the Minnesota Vikings.
In other games, Jacksonville host Houston, Kansas City host Cincinnati, the New York Jets host Philadelphia, Tampa Bay host Tennessee, Arizona host Carolina, San Diego host Oakland and on Monday Atlanta host the New York Giants.
The New England Patriots and Dallas Cowboys put their perfect records on the line Sunday in a National Football League clash some are billing as a possible Super Bowl preview.
The game marks just the third time since 1973, and fifth all-time, that teams boasting records of at least 5-0 have clashed in the NFL.
New England were involved the last time, too, improving to 6-0 with a 13-7 victory over the visiting New York Jets on October 24, 2004.
The Patriots have barely broken a sweat in storming through their first five opponents, rolling up a league-high 182 points and winning by an average of 23 points per game.
The Cowboys haven't been as dominant, but showed their mettle Monday by scoring nine points in the final 20 seconds to pin a last-second 25-24 defeat on the Buffalo Bills.
"Let's not make more of it than it is," Patriots cornerback Ellis Hobbs said. "We think of it as a big game because it's the next game. This is not, quote, unquote, a Super Bowl matchup."
Quarterback Tom Brady, with a revamped receiving corps headed by Randy Moss, has thrown at least three touchdown passes in his first five games, tying the NFL record to start a season held by Steve Young.
Statistically, Brady had his worst game of the season in last Sunday's 34-17 win over the Cleveland Browns. He completed 22-of-38 passes for 265 yards.
Moss, who became the first player to go over 100 yards in the first four games with his new team, was held to 46 yards on three catches. He has seven TD receptions for the season.
Brady is hitting on 74 percent of his passes (117-of-158) with a glittering 16 TD passes against just two interceptions.
Even without starting running back Laurence Maroney the past two games, the Patriots' running game hasn't missed a beat. Backup Sammy Morris has logged back-to-back 100-yard games, carrying 21 times in each.
Under first-year coach Wade Phillips, the Cowboys are seeking their first 6-0 start since 1983 and fifth in club history.
Tony Romo rebounded from a dismal first half to rally the Cowboys to the wild win against the Bills, which was decided by Nick Folk's 53-yard field goal as time expired.
Despite throwing five interceptions - four in the first half - and losing a fumble, Romo finished 29-of-50 for 309 yards and two touchdowns.
It continued a pattern of outstanding second-half play by the Cowboys, who have scored a league-high 122 points after halftime.
Romo knows he can't afford a similar performance against the Patriots, but he said he won't dwell on it.
"It's easier to win the football game if you don't give it to the other team," he said. "Obviously I'll take care of the football this week. If I see a guy and feel like he's open, I'm going to try to throw the ball."
The league's other remaining unbeaten team, the Indianapolis Colts, have the week off.
The week's action features a trio of teams, St. Louis, New Orleans and Miami, vying for a first victory of the season. All three are on the road, St. Louis at Baltimore, New Orleans at Seattle and Miami at Cleveland.
The Rams will be seeking to avoid just the second 0-6 start in franchise history, the other coming in 1962 when they were located in Los Angeles.
The Green Bay Packers will try to rebound from their first defeat of the season when they host the Washington Redskins.
The Chicago Bears, who may have salvaged their season with an unexpected win over the Packers last week, take aim at another NFC North division rival when they host the Minnesota Vikings.
In other games, Jacksonville host Houston, Kansas City host Cincinnati, the New York Jets host Philadelphia, Tampa Bay host Tennessee, Arizona host Carolina, San Diego host Oakland and on Monday Atlanta host the New York Giants.
posted by The Gryphon at 7:31 PM
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