In Dallas Win, Patriots Answer Two Crucial Questions About The Team
BOSTON (CBS) -- The Patriots entered Sunday's game against the Dallas Cowboys with few questions. But they left AT&T Field having answered two questions that, until they took the field, didn't have to be asked.
Because of the Patriots' blistering 3-0 start, led by the inhuman performance of Tom Brady and the offense, they got a bit of a reality check in the first half against the Cowboys. The returning Greg Hardy wreaked havoc on Nate Solder and the Pats' offensive line, getting to Brady several times himself and opening things up for other Dallas pass rushers to get legit pressure on TB12, who faced consistent trouble in that department for the first time this season.
Also practically unthinkable entering Sunday was stopping Rob Gronkowski, whom many consider the biggest matchup nightmare in the league. The Cowboys held Gronk to 4 catches on 5 targets for 67 yards, with no targets in the red zone - pretty much as well as a defense could play to neutralize the All-Pro tight end.
Yet Brady and the Patriots still got to 30 points, relying heavily on Dion Lewis, who has emerged as the team's go-to passing down back and a legitimate weapon catching passes out of the backfield. Julian Edelman also had a big day, catching only four passes but making them count - his 59-yard touchdown in which he beat several defenders and broke two tackles after the catch was one of the day's top highlights.
The Cowboys gave the Patriots their first real taste of resistance from an opponent on Sunday, and therefore left them having to answer two very important questions about the team. Here's what had to be asked - and how New England answered...
1. How will Tom Brady play when he faces real pressure?
Tom Brady is sacked by Greg Hardy and Rolando McClain of the Dallas Cowboys. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
The Patriots have seen this movie before: their offense rolls all the way through the season, until they face a tough defense that slows Brady's offense down with consistent pressure and physical play. It has beaten them in the past - but it did not against the Cowboys.
Greg Hardy manhandled Nate Solder for much of the game, and for at least two quarters made a significant impact. He was a major reason the Patriots could only muster 3 points for most of the first half, sacking Brady twice and getting 5 hits and 2 tackles for a loss.
The Patriots made some adjustments in the trenches at halftime, and didn't give up another sack after allowing 5 in the first two quarters. But Brady still needed to respond to the pressure and overcome it at some point, and eventually he did. Brady had to get the ball out noticeably quicker than usual, which is unbelievable considering he was already getting rid of it in just under two seconds on average.
Brady delivered the ultimate statement on Edelman's touchdown, taking a Hardy hit from behind as he threw to the left. It was by far the most pressure and contact Brady has had to deal with this season, and he still finished with a 130.9 passer rating, completing 20-of-27 passes for 275 yards, 2 touchdowns, and most importantly, no turnovers. Pressure on Brady is certainly part of the blueprint on how to beat the Patriots, but Brady proved yesterday that he can rise above it.
2. How will the Patriots look when Gronkowski is taken out?
Rob Gronkowski is tackled by Byron Jones and Morris Claiborne of the Dallas Cowboys. (Photo by Mike Stone/Getty Images)
Patriots fans should not look at the team's 30-point performance with barely any production from Gronkowski and think "They can win even without Gronk!" No. Don't ever say that.
But ironically, Gronk's quiet day shows just how much of an impact he makes on the field. The Cowboys' gameplan was certainly better than the "Don't cover Gronk" strategy, but it still wasn't nearly enough.
The Cowboys had to devote so much to limiting Gronk and making sure he and Brady didn't kill them in the red zone that it left the Patriots' other key pieces wide open or in single coverage. Brady targeted Lewis 11 times and found Edelman open down the field on a handful of easy throws & catches. Gronk's mere presence on the field opens everything up for the rest of the Patriots offense, and if your defense sells out to stop him you may succeed - but you better have an answer for the others.
The Cowboys were not able to limit Lewis or Edelman, and Brady proved he does not need to rely on Gronk to produce in order for the Patriots to win. When the Pats have their top 3 targets healthy and playing this way - and Brady getting rid of the football under serious pressure faster than ever - this offense is practically unstoppable.
The Cowboys defense did just about all it could to slow down the Patriots, which means 30 points might count as an "off day" for Brady & Co. But Dallas brought up fresh questions about the Patriots' ability to play under pressure with little help from Gronk, and the Patriots answered them with authority.
Matt Dolloff is a writer for CBSBostonSports.com and daily inquirer of dumb questions. His opinions do not necessarily reflect that of CBS or 98.5 The Sports Hub. Read more from Matt here. Follow him on Twitter @mattdolloff and email him at mdolloff@985thesportshub.com.
