Week 4 is underway in the NFL and on Sunday night, the 9.25pm televised game is live from Dallas, as the Cowboys host the New England Patriots. We’ve previewed the fixture and given you our suggested picks. 

The Dallas Cowboys (1/3) suffered an embarrassing first defeat last weekend, falling to a heavy 28-16 loss to the Arizona Cardinals.

Following a 70-10 combined score over the first two game-weeks, many football commentators had started to put “America’s Team” into the same bracket as the Eagles, Chiefs and 49ers, as possible Super Bowl contenders.

That loss will have tempered expectations but make no mistake, Jerry Jones will accept no further slip-ups at home against New England.

The Patriots (12/5) come in to week four on the back of their first win, having overturned their perennial whipping boys, the New York Jets.

Can QB Mac Jones and returning former Cowboys running back Ezekiel Elliott pull off a much bigger scalp in Dallas and give Bill Belichick another famous win?

Team news

Dallas had some good news on Thursday, as star receiver CeeDee Lamb was upgraded to a full participant in practice as well as Zack Martin and center Tyler Biadasz. Only Tyron Smith was unable to practice for a second day straight.

Belichick has five players listed as questionable with defensive linemen Davon Godchaux (ankle), Christian Barmore (knee)  cornerback Jonathan Jones and offensive linemen Cole Strange and Sidy Sow all doubts for the game.

Patriots +7.5 handicap – 5/6

The Cowboys looked appalling in their loss to the Cardinals, especially their run defense, which shipped a total of 222 yards.

Belichick will be licking his lips looking at that statistic and you get the feeling that Mac Jones won’t be doing much throwing on Sunday night.

Ezekiel Elliott (more on him shortly) ran for 80 yards against the Jets, ahead of his return to his old stomping ground and one gets the feeling he will be given the ball time and time again.

Dallas should have enough firepower, with Dak Prescott and his talented receivers, to win this one straight up but I’m taking the Pats to win against the spread.

Ezekiel Elliott to score a TD – 2/1

As mentioned above, ‘Zeke’ returns to the AT&T for the first time since his summer move and the former Cowboy would unleash pain on a poor Dallas rush defense.

Elliott ran for over 8,000 yards and 60+ touchdowns for the Cowboys and I think he can pick up his first for his new side here.

The 28-year-old still has plenty to give when he is motivated and he certainly will feel like he has a point to prove to Mike McCarthy & Co.