The Dallas Cowboys dominated the New England Patriots in a 38-3 victory on Sunday, thanks in part to impressive defensive plays. DaRon Bland returned one of his two interceptions for a touchdown, while Leighton Vander Esch scored off a fumble recovery. It was a disappointing game for Patriots’ quarterback Mac Jones, who was responsible for all three turnovers and was eventually pulled from the game. This loss marked the Patriots’ worst defeat in 24 seasons under coach Bill Belichick.
The Cowboys’ victory also marked their 10th consecutive home win, the longest streak since nearly two decades before AT&T Stadium opened. Bland, who had previously scored a pick-6 in the season opener, scored another one in this game, along with a blocked field goal returned for a touchdown. The Patriots managed to stay close initially, trailing by just seven points early in the second quarter. However, Jones’ sack and fumble led to Vander Esch’s scoop-and-score, giving the Cowboys a comfortable lead.
Jones’ struggles continued towards the end of the first half when he threw an interception that Bland returned for a touchdown. This extended the Cowboys’ lead to 28-3, their largest halftime advantage under Belichick. Despite replacing Jones with Bailey Zappe in the second half, the Patriots couldn’t turn things around. Jones ended the game with a passer rating of 39.9, completing only 12 of 21 passes for 150 yards.
The Cowboys’ offense was led by quarterback Dak Prescott, who completed 28 of 34 passes for 261 yards and threw his first touchdown to a receiver this season, connecting with CeeDee Lamb for a 20-yard score. Dallas, known for their strong turnover differential, finished the game with a plus-3 margin. This victory marked the Cowboys’ third blowout win of the season, with an average margin of 32 points.
This was the second consecutive victory for the Cowboys over the Patriots, both games being against Jones as the opposing quarterback. The Cowboys have had great success against New England when facing quarterbacks other than Tom Brady, with a record of 9-1. In this game, the Cowboys even executed a trick play on the extra point, with holder Bryan Anger throwing a pass to defensive end Chauncey Golston for a 2-point conversion.
Overall, it was a dominant performance by the Dallas Cowboys, who showcased a strong defense and an efficient offense. The Patriots, on the other hand, struggled with turnovers and failed to mount a successful comeback.