When the NFL schedule came out in April, the Week 5 tilt between the New England Patriots and Dallas Cowboys looked like it would be one of the marquee matchups on Sunday's slate. While the defending Super Bowl champs are looking better than ever and appear primed to defend their title, the Cowboys' season is on the brink of disaster as injuries have completely decimated the roster in the first month.
NFL picks and predictions, Patriots vs. Cowboys 2015: New England a lock to remain perfect
The Patriots’ offense is scary good right now and should easily roll over a depleted Cowboys team on Sunday.
The Patriots are one of six undefeated clubs at the quarter-pole of the season, and are the consensus number one team in the power rankings. Their high-powered offense, which leads the league in scoring (39.7 points per game) and total offense (446.3 yards per game), has them atop the division and the early favorite to represent the AFC in Super Bowl 50.
The odds are obviously against the Patriots running the table in 2015, but its hard to ignore the comparisons to 2007, especially since this year’s offense is actually outperforming that year’s version. The 119 points through three games is a franchise record and five more than they had at this point during their perfect 16-0 regular season. The one thing that could trip them up is a defense that ranks 17th in points allowed and 20th in yards allowed.
The Cowboys have suffered so many injuries to key personnel that they are simply running out of enough quality players to remain competitive in games. However, they are getting a couple reinforcements back this week with the return of cornerback Rolando McClain and defensive lineman Greg Hardy from suspensions. Those guys should give a nice boost to a defense that has allowed a combined 65 points in back-to-back losses.
The offense, however, is still awaiting the return of its two stars -- Tony Romo and Dez Bryant -- and got even more bad news this week with the loss of running back Lance Dunbar to a season-ending ACL injury. The Cowboys have suffered a massive talent drain on the offensive side of the ball and are going to have a really tough time keeping up with the Patriots on Sunday.
This matchup looks like a mismatch on paper and the experts agree. Not a single guy on the panels at CBS Sports, ESPN or SB Nation is picking the Cowboys to pull off the upset.
| Ryan Van Bibber | Stephen White | Joel Thorman | David Fucillo | Danny Kelly | Matt Ufford | PFT Commenter | OddsShark Computer | |
| NE @ DAL | NE | NE | NE | NE | NE | NE | NE | NE |
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