The Sports Xchange

New England Patriots (3-0) at Dallas Cowboys (2-2)

Sunday, 4:25 p.m. ET, at AT&T Field, Arlington, Texas – TV: CBS

*TV announcers: Jim Nantz, Phil Simms, Tracy Wolfson

*Keys to the game: Coverage breakdowns in New Orleans cost the Cowboys in Week 4, and the Patriots come off the bye week with a Swiss-army knife offense, adaptable to attack those same weaknesses. Covering RB Dion Lewis and WR Julian Edelman are problematic for a drop zone defense, but secondary to handling TE Rob Gronkowski. Cowboys coach Jason Garrett said this week he’ll use multiple defenders, but WLB Sean Lee and rookie DB Byron Jones could draw the short straw.

The Cowboys are brass knuckles in a gunfight without Tony Romo and Dez Bryant, who’ll be on the sideline tending broken bones while Dallas executes a rudimentary offense reliant on the running game to provide its big plays. Chunk passing plays aren’t possible unless shell-shocked backup QB Brandon Weeden takes more risks. He’s not pushing the ball downfield and if the Cowboys fall behind early, this is likely the week Garrett tests out Matt Cassel. The offensive line is stout and dominant but against eight- and nine-man fronts, snappy throws outside to beat man coverage are Weeden’s best lifeline.

*Matchup to watch – Patriots RB LeGarrette Blount vs. Cowboys LB Rolando McClain: Suspended to start the season, stamina might be an issue for McClain and Blount, who had three rushing touchdowns Week 3 before the bye week. McClain was hurt throughout the preseason and suspended for four games to start the regular season, but in 2014 was a big factor in the Cowboys’ base defense.

*Player spotlight – Cowboys DE Greg Hardy: Hardy is on the field for the first time in 14 months in a regular-season game because of domestic violence charges. He’ll move from left end to right end in the Cowboys’ defense in hopes of finding a pressure point.

*Fast facts: The Cowboys have one total rush of at least 10 yards in the second half this season. … Patriots QB Tom Brady is one of two quarterbacks in NFL history with 1,100 yards, nine TDs and no INTs in the first three games of a season (Peyton Manning, 2013).

WHO WILL WIN AND WHY

The Cowboys need seismic breaks to stick around with a hellbent Tom Brady operating an offense amply stocked to hang a big number on a defense still finding its way.

*Our pick: Patriots 38-24.