The Dallas Cowboys can prove themselves in a major way as they take on the Patriots in Week 12. Five bold predictions for the Boys in Foxborough.
Foxborough could well be called the ultimate proving ground for the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday in Week 12. Coming into the game at 6-4 on the season, Dak Prescott and America’s Team have flashed elite potential and looked downright unstoppable at times. But at others, they’ve had a suspect defense that can take them out of games. Dallas needs the former version to show up against the New England Patriots.
Led by perhaps the best defense in the NFL, the Patriots welcome the Cowboys to Gillette Stadium on Sunday while sporting a 9-1 record for the season. Bill Belichick and the Pats have eyes for defending their Super Bowl win last year and look like they have the defense to pull it off. And yet, maybe the Cowboys offense can prove how good they are by showing cracks in the New England armor.
This is a highly touted matchup both in terms of the popularity of these franchises and the quality of these teams in 2019. But can Dallas pull through and show their merit in this matchup? Here are five bold predictions for the Dallas Cowboys in Week 12.
5. Cooper, Gallup held under 100 combined yards
Again, Dak Prescott has been enjoying an MVP-caliber campaign in the 2019 season. Of course, he wouldn’t be able to put up those types of numbers without some help, which he’s gotten in a big way from his top two receivers in Amari Cooper and Michael Gallup.
For the season, Cooper has 56 receptions on 79 targets for 886 yards and seven touchdowns, playing his way into the Pro Bowl with ease. Gallup hasn’t been quite as dominant but still has 42 receptions for 678 yards and three scores on the season, which is nothing for the second-year player out of Colorado State to feel ashamed of in any way.
Though that duo has been fierce this season, the Patriots secondary has arguably been better than any other defensive back group in the league. Stephon Gilmore has the chops to lock down Cooper while Jason McCourty and Jonathan Jones can both slow down Gallup on the opposite side.
To be sure, Prescott is still going to find his way into a productive day. I believe in the way he’s been playing that much. Having said that, he won’t be using Cooper and Gallup all that often as the dynamic duo for Dallas’ passing attack will combine for under 100 yards receiver against New England.