Patriots beat Cowboys, 48-27

The New England Patriots beat the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday. It was basically the first "heat check" game for both teams -- both NE and Dallas had played only non-contenders up to Sunday, and both teams entered into yesterday's match with a 5-0 record. The Patriots were up 14-0 at the end of the 1st quarter, but a solid 2nd quarter for the Cowboys brought Dallas right back into the game. At halftime, the score was 21-17, Patriots. A touchdown early in the 3rd quarter brought Dallas ahead, 24-21. This actually marked the first time all season that the Patriots had been down at some point in a game. However, this feat for Dallas was pitifully brief, and the Patriots stormed back in epic proportions. After the Dallas touchdown in the 3rd quarter, the Pats shut down their cruise control and pushed up the gears. They scored 27 points in a span of less than 2 quarters to close out the game with a final score of 48-27.

Tom Brady was nothing but perfect, finishing with 388 yards passing on 31/46 with 5 touchdowns. Stallworth had what was arguably his breakout game, although we saw glimpses of his capabilities last weekend against Cleveland. He finished with 136 yards receiving and 1 touchdown. Wes Welker had a ridiculous game, finishing with 124 yards receiving and 2 touchdowns. Randy Moss put in a respectable 59 yards and also finished with 1 touchdown.

For Dallas, Romo had a nice game, finishing with 199 yards on 18/29, with 2 touchdowns and 1 interception. TO was held to 66 yards, but he did have a touchdown.

This win, in my admittedly Patriots-biased opinion, absolutely seals the deal on the Patriots place in the league right now: Number 1. Not because of their league-leading record, but because they've just dominated EVERY team they've played. They haven't scored less than 34 points. They've only given up more than 17 points once. Every player on the team, both on offense and defense, is getting acclamated with Belichick's system. The Patriots have also withstood numerous key injuries this season, yet they still look unstoppable. And right now, which team would have the audacity to say the Patriots aren't unstoppable?