Patriots stay hot at home
Defense dominates as they win 18th straight game in Foxborough
FOXBOROUGH, Mass. — Few teams have had success scoring touchdowns against the Patriots this season.
Add the NFL’s top-ranked offense to that list.
The Patriots held the Cowboys without a TD for the first time this season, Tom Brady threw a touchdown pass and the Patriots secured a 13-9 victory Sunday.
It was the Patriots’18th straight regular-season victory at home. The Patriots (10-1) have won 10 games in 17 consecutive seasons dating back to 2003 and surpassed the 49ers (16 seasons from 1983-98) for the most consecutive years with at least 10 wins.
The Cowboys (6-5) had a chance to take the lead late. But facing fourth-and-11 on its own 25 with 1:50 left, Dak Prescott’s 20-yard completion to Amari Cooper was nullified after an official review.
The Patriots, who struggled offensively in their win over the Eagles last week, played without two key receivers after Mohamed Sanu and Phillip Dorsett were ruled out with injuries. Brady made the most of what he had, tossing a first-quarter touchdown pass to rookie N’Keal Harry and completing a 32-yard pass to rookie Jakobi Meyers.
Brady completed 17 of 37 passes for 190 yards. Julian Edelman caught eight passes for 93 yards. Sony Michel rushed 20 times for 85 yards.
Brady has been critical of the offense’s output in recent weeks. Coming away with wins is enough for him right now.
“I think every team develops at different times,” Brady said. “I think we take the challenges as they come and try to do the best we can. I’m happy we came away with more points than them.”
The Cowboys struggled to move the ball. Ezekiel Elliott rushed 21 times or 86 yards, but the Cowboys were just 2 of 13 on third down.
Prescott was 19 of 33 for 212 yards and a pick. Cooper was held without a catch for the first time as a member of the Cowboys.