ARLINGTON, Texas — The Dallas Cowboys’ chances of winning their Week 5 matchup against the New England Patriots disappeared when offensive stars Tony Romo and Dez Bryant went down early in the season with long-term injuries.
Sunday’s matchup between the Patriots and Cowboys went just as expected, culminating in a 30-6 win by New England.
Patriots quarterback Tom Brady finished the afternoon 20 of 27 for 275 yards with two touchdowns and no interception, continuing his torrid pace to begin the 2015 season.
See who else stood out in the Patriots’ blowout win over the Cowboys:
MALCOLM BUTLER
Malcolm Butler looked like a No. 1 cornerback Sunday, as he shadowed Cowboys wideout Terrance Williams. Butler individually limited Williams to just one catch for 17 yards.
We’ll never know how Butler would have fared against Dez Bryant, but this was a nice, complete effort by Butler after allowing touchdowns the first three weeks of the season. The Patriots have to hope this gives Butler confidence moving forward as he faces off against tougher competition.
DION LEWIS
Running back Dion Lewis continues to make the Patriots look like geniuses.
Lewis had 12 total touches for 89 yards, including a one-handed, ankle-breaking, diving touchdown.
Dion Lewis makes the tough catch, rumbles 10 yards for a TD. http://t.co/RqCnKh21bM https://t.co/oVSHQW2xCr
— Boston Globe Sports (@BGlobeSports) October 11, 2015
Lewis has stood out in every game and so far has been an improvement over Shane Vereen, who served a similar role since 2011.
JABAAL SHEARD
Sheard raised his season sack total to four with two on the afternoon. He’s been a consistent presence in the opposing team’s backfield through four games, and he’s also provided stout run defense. He helped hold the Cowboys to just 3.9 yards per carry on the afternoon.
JULIAN EDELMAN
Edelman uncharacteristically already has three touchdowns on the season. His score Sunday came on a 59-yard catch and run touchdown pass from quarterback Tom Brady.
Edelman was targeted five times and had four receptions for 120 yards, raising his average yards per reception from 9.3 to 11.7. He’s caught 72.3 percent of the passes in which he was targeted by Brady.
JAMIE COLLINS
Collins had some added pressure after fellow starting linebacker Dont’a Hightower left the game with a rib injury.
Collins responded with 10 tackles with a forced fumble for his third straight game. Collins forced a fumble on a reception by Cowboys tight end Jason Witten. The coughed up football was picked up by Patriots linebacker Jonathan Freeny.
Thumbnail photo via Matthew Emmons/USA TODAY Sports Images
