The Cowboys boast a new play-caller this year in offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer, and the predictive model expects their pass/run mix to tilt 2.5% more towards passing than it did last year (context-neutralized).
The model projects this game to have the most plays run among all games this week at 135.6 plays, accounting for the tendencies of each team and game dynamics.
The Cowboys have run the 7th-most plays in the NFL since the start of last season, averaging a monstrous 60.8 plays per game.
Opposing quarterbacks have averaged 37.0 pass attempts per game against the New England Patriots defense since the start of last season: 3rd-most in the league.
CeeDee Lamb has been among the leading wide receivers in the game since the start of last season, averaging a stellar 83.0 yards per game while checking in at the 96th percentile.
Cons
The Cowboys are a heavy 7-point favorite this week, likely creating an extreme rushing game script.
The model projects the Dallas Cowboys to be the 9th-least pass-heavy team in the NFL (adjusted for context) at the moment with a 59.1% pass rate.
The New England Patriots pass defense has surrendered the 7th-lowest Completion% in football (63.7%) vs. WRs since the start of last season (63.7%).
The New England Patriots pass defense has been quite strong when opposing WRs have gotten into space, giving up an average of 3.67 yards-after-the-catch since the start of last season: the 6th-fewest in football.
The New England Patriots linebackers profile as the 8th-best group of LBs in the NFL since the start of last season in defending pass-catchers.