FOXBOROUGH, Mass. _ It's not always going to be pretty.
With the Patriots offense, that's been the theme this season. On Sunday, with a lengthy injury report, it was almost expected.
Tom Brady didn't have Mohamed Sanu (ankle) or Phillip Dorsett (concussion). Julian Edelman's shoulder injury caused him so much pain the receiver could be seen shaking it out routinely inside Gillette Stadium. The offense had two healthy receivers in N'Keal Harry and Jakobi Meyers. To top it off, Brady was playing with an elbow injury that had him limited in Friday's practice.
As Sunday's game went on and the rain descended from the cold Foxborough sky, it wasn't surprising to see the Patriots offense struggle against the Dallas Cowboys. Nor was it surprising to see the team's defense and special teams unit step up to help the Patriots to a 13-9 win to improve to 10-1.
This year, the Patriots have heavily relied on their defense and special teams unit to make up for any lack of offensive output. On Sunday, it was a blocked punt that led to the Patriots only touchdown. It was also another stout defensive effort that allowed for a low-scoring win.
Brady finished 17/36 for 190 yards with one touchdown. Edelman added 93 receiving yards and Meyers hauled in a career-high 74 receiving yards. Sony Michel ran for 85 yards.
The Cowboys entered this game ranked No. 1 in the NFL in yards per game (444.6) and fourth in points per game (28.6). The Patriots held Dallas to 308 total yards. The Cowboys also went 2/13 on third down.
The first drive was moving behind Michel but after two first down runs, the offense stalled when Brady needed to pass. His first attempt was dropped by Myers. His next, on third down, was incomplete to James White.
The Patriots caught a break at 7:46 of the first quarter when Cowboys kicker Brett Maher missed a 46-yard field
The second offensive drive wasn't much better for Brady's group. On third down, Brady was stripped by Cowboys defensive end Robert Quinn. He recovered the ball, but Quinn finished the sack to force the Pats to punt.
Over the next two series, the Patriots special teams and defensive unit finally set the tone.
At 1:45 of the first quarter, Matthew Slater blocked a Chris Jones punt. Nate Ebner recovered at the 12-yard line. That's all Brady needed. Two plays later, the quarterback hit N'Keal Harry for a 10-yard touchdown to give the Pats a 7-0 lead with 45 seconds left in the first quarter. The score marked the first of Harry's NFL career.
The Patriots defense picked stepped up next. At 14:23, Stephon Gilmore intercepted a Dak Prescott pass intended for Amari Cooper on third down. The Patriots offense took over at the 29-yard line. They didn't travel far, but Nick Folk extended the team's lead to 10-0 with a 44-yard field goal at 12:46 of the second quarter.
The Cowboys orchestrated a nine-play, 46-yard play in the next series. All the yards came on the ground and Maher hit a 46-yard field goal, at 8:36 of the second quarter, and the Pats led, 10-3.
It looked like the Patriot would extend their lead on the next drive, but Nick Folk missed a 46-yard field goal attempt at 6:51 of the second quarter. The kick was pushed back five yards due to a false start by Danny Shelton. It also marked Folk's first miss as a Patriot.
The Cowboys received another field goal from Maher, a 27-yard, at 2:28 of the second and the Pats were up, 10-6. Dallas got into field goal range when a 15-yard roughing the passer penalty on Deatrich Wise was tacked onto a 21-yard completion to Michael Gallup.
Folk missed his second field goal, from 48 yards, to end the half with the Patriots up, 10-6.
The Patriots offense amounted to little in their three drives of the third quarter � punting three times. Following a quick series to start the half, cameras caught Brady dropping an expletive as he walked off the field. The Patriots defense was able to keep up their strong play, forcing the Cowboys to punt in all three of their third-quarter drives and the two teams entered the fourth quarter with the Pats up, 10-6.
The Pats opened up the fourth quarter with a 42-yard field goal from Folk to take a 13-6 lead with 9:32 remaining.
The Cowboys returned fire in the ensuing drive to close the gap to 13-9. Dallas came within striking distance thanks to a 59-yard pass play from Prescott to Randall Cobb. the 29-yard field goal with 6:04 remaining.
Dallas had one more chance to take a lead inside Gillette Stadium, getting the ball back with 2:28 left. As the Patriots defense proved repeatedly, they held strong, forcing a turnover on downs.
