The New England Patriots have scored 30 or more points in 13 consecutive, regular season games, dating back to last November.
In fact, the last team to hold Tom Brady and Company to fewer than 30 points is the Cleveland Browns.
So, what does that have to do with the Dallas Cowboys?
Dallas’ new defensive coordinator, Rob Ryan, was the DC of the Browns at the time. Behind a series of crazy blitzes and confusing defensive alignments, Ryan and his Browns were able to slow down the Patriots’ offense, which isn’t something that is easy to do. The Browns won the game, 34-14, due in large part to Ryan’s unorthodox defensive schemes.
In addition to Ryan, two other members of the current Cowboys’ defense were on that same Browns’ team that succeeded in slowing down New England last year. Defensive end, Kenyon Coleman and safety, Abram Elam, played for Rob Ryan in Cleveland last season, and are both now with Dallas.
Last year, before the eccentric Ryan came to town, the Cowboys’ defense ranked 23rd in total defense. This year, albeit just 4 games into the season, they are ranked 4th. The Patriots’ offense, however, leads the NFL in total offense. When the two meet this weekend, something has to give.
When asked what Rob Ryan plans to throw at the Patriots’ offense on Sunday to keep them on their toes, Cowboy defensive end, Kenyon Coleman, who was also a member of the Browns’ team last season, said, ”Pretty much the kitchen sink, to put it lightly.”
Elam is ready, no matter what it takes. He stated, “I look forward to the challenge. Coming in, everyone is building them up to be the greatest team out there. As a competitor, that is what you look forward to.”
The task of slowing down the Pat’s offensive juggernaut on Sunday will certainly be a daunting one, no doubt about it. However, Rob Ryan has done it before. Cowboy fans are just hoping he can do it again.
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