IRVING, TEXAS — In a rare battle of 5-0 teams, the New England Patriots stomped the Dallas Cowboys as badly as everyone else they’ve faced this season, winning 48-27 Sunday behind a career-best five touchdown passes from Tom Brady.
Although the Patriots put up their most points in 23 years, the game wasn’t as lopsided as the score indicates. They won by three touchdowns despite giving up their most points of the season and trailing in the second half for the first time all year.
“The reality is we got a win on the road and we’re 6-0. That’s what is important,” Brady said. “Any time you win you’re doing just fine.”
Brady was 31-of-46 for 388 yards. His five TDs tied a franchise record and gave him an NFL record with at least three in each of the first six games of the season. However, he was sacked as many times (three) as he had been all season; on one, he lost a fumble that Dallas returned for a touchdown.
What made his performance special was the way he responded to that third-quarter deficit: touchdown, field goal, touchdown, field goal, touchdown. The last score came with 19 seconds left, a 1-yard run by first-year running back Kyle Eckel.
The Cowboys (5-1) were off to their best start since 1983.
“Hopefully we’ll see them down the road,” said Terrell Owens, referring to a possible Super Bowl rematch. “We just got to regroup. There’s no confidence lost in the locker room.”
Dallas trailed 14-0 before gaining a first down. Tony Romo threw a touchdown pass to Patrick Crayton early in the third quarter, putting the Cowboys up 24-21.
Brady now has an NFL-best 21 touchdown passes.
“That’s not what this team is about,” Brady said. “Individual records are based on opportunities. What I get excited about is team records.”
