Albany Student Voice

The battle of the NFLs unbeaten teams turned out to be a one-sided affair as Tom Brady and the New England Patriots dominated the Dallas Cowboys, 48-27. Brady, who went 31-46 for 388 yards, threw a career-high five touchdowns to push the Pats to 6-0 in the season, but the tale of the game was the Dallas secondary versus the New England spread offense.

After the Cowboys were unsuccessful on the games opening drive, the Pats went on a 74-yard drive that was capped off by a 6-yard Randy Moss touchdown reception that put them ahead 7-0. Following a Cowboy punt, the Patriots went on another 60 plus yard drive that ended with a 35-yard touchdown grab by wide receiver, Wes Welker.

In the second quarter, the Cowboys put their first points on the board by way of a Nick Folk field goal, making the score 14-3. On the Patriots next offensive possession, the Cowboys forced a Brady fumble that was recovered by Jason Hather and returned for a touchdown, bringing the Cowboys within four.

On the Patriots ensuing drive, Brady found Welker for the second time, making the score 21-10 Quarterback Tony Romo and the Cowboys answered back by hitting wide receiver Terrell Owens on a 12-yard crossing route that made the score 17-24 just before halftime. The second half started with a Patriots three and out that the Cowboys capitalized on by way of a Patrick Crayton touchdown reception, which made the score 24-21.

This was the first time the Patriots trailed in the second half of a game all season. The Cowboys traded a touchdown for a field goal, which brought the score to 31-27. Midway through the fourth quarter, the Cowboys "bend but don't break defense," finally had enough and allowed the Patriots to put the game out of reach with a 69-yard touchdown pass from Brady to wide receiver Donte' Stallworth.

Welker also had a career day as he caught 11 passes for 124 yards and two touchdowns. Stallworth added seven catches for 136 yards and a touchdown. Kevin Faulk, who saw most of the running plays after starting running back Sammy Morris went down with a chest injury, racked up 50 yards on 13 rushes.

In the battle between the "the new number 81" and the self proclaimed "original number 81, " Moss managed to catch six passes for 59 yards and a touchdown, while Owens of the Cowboys caught six passes for 66 yards and a touchdown.
"Hopefully we'll see them down the road," said Terrell Owens, referring to a possible Super Bowl showdown. "We just have to regroup. There's no confidence lost in the locker room."

Romo managed to avoid the turnovers that plagued him last week against the Buffalo Bills, as he went 18-29 for 199 yards and two touchdowns. Crayton added five catches for 46 yards. Romo's safety net, Jason Witten, was completely taken out of the game as he was only able to accumulate 47 yards on 3 catches. Marion Barber and Julius Jones combined to rush for 98 yards.

Now the Patriots are on a week nine collision course with another undefeated team- the Indianapolis Colts. This game will be a rematch of last years AFC title game and is sure to be filled with excitement.

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