A look at what Dallas Cowboys coaches and players are saying about the New England Patriots prior to their NFL Week 12 matchup.
On facing the Patriots...
"This is the time where teams separate themselves and when you're playing an opponent like New England that's had success over the years it definitely, I think, is a confidence booster. Again, we've got to find a way to win a ball game. That's all we're worried about. One game at a time and finding a way to win this week."
- Cowboys Wide Receiver Randall Cobb
"There are defining games that happen. This is one of the those games. It's not make or break. But to go on the road and play against Tom Brady and their team, it's a good opportunity for us. We have to go play our best football."
- Cowboys Tight End Jason Witten
"I feel like a game like this is a testament to what kind of team we want to be and what kind of team we're going to be for the rest of the year."
- Cowboys Defensive End DeMarcus Lawrence
On the Patriots defense...
"They're fantastic on their front, they're fantastic at the linebacker level, on the back-end, and teams are having a hard time moving the ball. Teams are having a hard time in situational football, third down, red zone. They're having a hard time scoring points. Obviously, the stat that jumps out to everybody is the takeaways. They've been incredible taking the ball away all year long and making impactful plays for their team, but obviously have got a lot of really good players. They're really well-coached and they've been fantastic, really for a long, long time and have been really good this year, as well."
- Cowboys Head Coach Jason Garrett
"They give you some different looks. They're a very good team, they're very sound, they're always in their gap and they don't make mistakes."
- Cowboys Running Back Ezekiel Elliott
"I think they're really good across their defense. On all three levels, it all works together. They play so well together. Their back-end guys are fantastic. Really smart players, athletic, can cover – can cover in man, can cover in zone. They all have savvy when it comes to making plays on the ball. Gilmore is a fantastic player, has been for a long time and fits beautifully into their scheme. He's a hard guy to get away from, he guards guys, again, in man-to-man coverage. He's impactful in zone coverage, makes plays on the ball. So, there's really nothing not to like about that guy. He's been a really good player and is having a great year for them."
- Cowboys Head Coach Jason Garrett
On the Patriots offense...
"Obviously, their quarterback [Tom Brady], you can make an argument that he's the best player that ever walked. What he's done throughout his career, the productivity, his ability to win with a lot of different teams and lot of different guys in a lot of different ways. He's just been remarkable, and they're a really good offensive line, they have good tight ends and good receivers, the runners. Everybody's involved. They challenge you in so many different ways. They can run it, they can throw it. They make little plays, they make big plays. They just challenge you every time the ball is snapped, and it's been that way for a long, long time."
- Cowboys Head Coach Jason Garrett
"I just think it's important to play very disciplined football against a great team like this. There are not a lot of teams who can beat you with the way that they execute every single play."
- Cowboys Defensive End Michael Bennett
On the Patriots success...
"I don't know what their secret is. They're keeping it. People think they have some magic formula or something like that. I think everybody thinks something like that. They are just a team but it's more about execution more than anything else. Even being there, you just execute really well, and (quarterback Tom Brady) helps a lot more. I don't know how to verbalize it all."
- Cowboys Offensive Lineman Cameron Fleming
On Tom Brady...
"People say he's the GOAT, he's the GOAT. He is. I don't think it's comparable the things he's done. But for me, it's about going in and focusing on my game plan. There will be a time or two before or after the game to maybe say what's up, but that's not my focus. I'm not worried about me vs. him type of deal. It's me vs. this defense, him vs. our defense. An exciting game.
- Cowboys Quarterback Dak Prescott
"I've been looking forward to it my whole entire life honestly. I thought about it all the time, even when I was in college, what it would be like to play against him in the NFL just because of his caliber, the reputation he has. Playing a game against guys like that makes you appreciate things."
- Cowboys Linebacker Leighton Vander Esch
WHAT THEY'RE SAYING ON DALLASCOWBOYS.COM
