Cowboys vs. Patriots: Week 5 – Five Things

Aug 13, 2015; San Diego, CA, USA; Dallas Cowboys cornerback

(31) drops into coverage during the first quarter against the San Diego Chargers in a preseason NFL football game at Qualcomm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports

Gronk? What Gronk? – Rob Gronkowski is a fantastic tight end, there is no doubt about that. Here is where it is time for Cowboys first round pick Byron Jones, to show his talent.

We can safely assume that for much of the game Jones will be covering Gronk. He has the speed and enough size to help neutralize the tight end for parts of the game. This will force Brady to have to look toward Julian Edelman a little more, and if Morris Claiborne and Brandon Carr can get a little help over the top this can be done. Stopping Gonk is much like stopping Jason Witten, the safety valve and drive extender that the quarterback looks for. New England’s game plan will be disrupted if he is not open.

Jones has all the physical traits you could want from a first round pick. So far this season he has been good, but it is time for him to be great. If the Cowboys can’t stop Gronk, this could be a very long game. If Jones can hold him, and the defense can stop the run, the Patriots become almost one dimensional.

It will be key to watch Jones early in the game.

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