Every week during the 2011 NFL season, gridiron expert Hatley Vittitow dissects America's Team and its challengers.
FOXBORO--Losing a 24-point third-quarter lead that spiraled into the worst collapse in Dallas Cowboys history--then having to hear about it for two weeks--meant longest bye week ever for Tony Romo.
It's worth stressing that the collapse wasn't completely Romo's fault, with the defense not sacking Matthew Stafford the entire game, or even getting pressure on him at all in the second half. But when you spot the opposing team two interceptions-for-touchdowns in a five-minute span to get them back in the game, the blame must rest firmly on the quarterback's shoulders.
FOXBORO--Losing a 24-point third-quarter lead that spiraled into the worst collapse in Dallas Cowboys history--then having to hear about it for two weeks--meant longest bye week ever for Tony Romo.
It's worth stressing that the collapse wasn't completely Romo's fault, with the defense not sacking Matthew Stafford the entire game, or even getting pressure on him at all in the second half. But when you spot the opposing team two interceptions-for-touchdowns in a five-minute span to get them back in the game, the blame must rest firmly on the quarterback's shoulders.
Coming out of the bye week, the Cowboys are the healthiest they've been since the start of training camp. Miles Austin will play for the first time since he had a career-high three touchdown performance against the 49ers; Dez Bryant should finally be fully recovered from his thigh contusion; cornerback Orlando Scandrick will suit-up for the first time since opening day; and let's not forget that Romo has been playing through a cracked rib these past few weeks.
The Cowboys needed the extra week off to prepare for the consumate juggernaut that is the New England Patriots. Tom Brady has not lost a regular season game at home since 2006, and he is on pace to break Dan Marino's single-season passing yards record. The Patriots play much better at home than on the road (as do most teams) but these Patriots are masterful in the confines of Gillette Stadium.
The Cowboys are healthy, they've had a week of rest, and they've found their third receiver. Expect Laurent Robinson--a 2010 sleeper with the St. Louis Rams that found himself out of a job when the Rams overloaded their roster with receiving prospects--to consistently perform the way he did against Detroit when he caught seven balls for 116 yards. The Cowboys passing offense will be difficult to stop. Conveniently, the Patriots are dead-last in passing defense. Expect a big statistical game from Romo.
The Cowboys' defense is tops in the NFL, giving up only 61 yards a game on the ground, but that doesn't faze the Patriots' offense because Brady can, and will, throw all day on a weak secondary. With Scandrick pulling the short straw and covering Wes Welker in the slot, it will be a long day.
This fucking guy again.
Romo has come out and said this week these Cowboys will be Super Bowl Champions at some point. Sunday is the perfect opportunity for Romo and the Boys to prove just that, going into Foxboro, getting a road win, and ending Brady's 30-game home regular season win streak.
The last time the Patriots' offense was held under 30 points was last season when they faced refreshingly aggressive new defensive coordinator Rob Ryan's schemes in Cleveland. Ryan's defense held the Patriots to 14 points and 283 total yards, and he brings this very distinct advantage to Valley Ranch.
I believe the Cowboys will be focused after a collapse for the ages, while the Patriots will suffer a letdown a week after getting up for their archrivals. The Cowboys win, 35-32.
Bold: Laurent Robinson will score his first touchdown with Dallas.
Not Bold: Wes Welker will have at least 10 catches for 120+ yards.
-- Hatley Vittitow
Twitter: @hatley_vittitow
The Cowboys needed the extra week off to prepare for the consumate juggernaut that is the New England Patriots. Tom Brady has not lost a regular season game at home since 2006, and he is on pace to break Dan Marino's single-season passing yards record. The Patriots play much better at home than on the road (as do most teams) but these Patriots are masterful in the confines of Gillette Stadium.
The Cowboys are healthy, they've had a week of rest, and they've found their third receiver. Expect Laurent Robinson--a 2010 sleeper with the St. Louis Rams that found himself out of a job when the Rams overloaded their roster with receiving prospects--to consistently perform the way he did against Detroit when he caught seven balls for 116 yards. The Cowboys passing offense will be difficult to stop. Conveniently, the Patriots are dead-last in passing defense. Expect a big statistical game from Romo.
The Cowboys' defense is tops in the NFL, giving up only 61 yards a game on the ground, but that doesn't faze the Patriots' offense because Brady can, and will, throw all day on a weak secondary. With Scandrick pulling the short straw and covering Wes Welker in the slot, it will be a long day.
This fucking guy again.
Romo has come out and said this week these Cowboys will be Super Bowl Champions at some point. Sunday is the perfect opportunity for Romo and the Boys to prove just that, going into Foxboro, getting a road win, and ending Brady's 30-game home regular season win streak.
The last time the Patriots' offense was held under 30 points was last season when they faced refreshingly aggressive new defensive coordinator Rob Ryan's schemes in Cleveland. Ryan's defense held the Patriots to 14 points and 283 total yards, and he brings this very distinct advantage to Valley Ranch.
I believe the Cowboys will be focused after a collapse for the ages, while the Patriots will suffer a letdown a week after getting up for their archrivals. The Cowboys win, 35-32.
Bold: Laurent Robinson will score his first touchdown with Dallas.
Not Bold: Wes Welker will have at least 10 catches for 120+ yards.
-- Hatley Vittitow
Twitter: @hatley_vittitow
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