Patriots defensive stats:

o 76.92% are at or near the top,
o 23.08% are in the middle, &
o none are at or near the bottom:

~~~

Patriots Defense Top or
Near the Top of the League:

o 4th in lowest passer-rating allowed ( 81.6 )
o 5th in fewest points allowed per game ( 18.4 )
o 5th in lowest total yards allowed per game ( 317.6 )
o 5th in fewest passing yards allowed per game ( 206.6 )
o 5th in lowest completion% allowed ( 59.5% )
o 5th in fewest 1st downs allowed per game ( 17.8 )
o Tied for 5th in fewest passing TDs allowed per game ( 1.2 )
o Tied for 5th in fewest rushing TDs allowed per game ( 0.6 )
o 6th in fewest rushing yards allowed per attempt ( 3.80 )
o Tied for 7th in most sacks per game ( 2.6 )

~~~

Patriots Defense Middle
of the League:

o Tied for 11th in most takeaways per game ( 1.2 )
o 15th in fewest rushing yards allowed per game ( 111.0 )
o 20th lowest 3rd down conversion% allowed ( 42.9% )

~~~

Patriots Defense Weaknesses /
Bottom or Near-Bottom of the League:

o -None-

~~~

Patriots injury report as reported on
ESPN Patriots depth chart, will be con-
tinually updated 'til game day:
https://www.espn.com/nfl/team/depth/_/name/ne

As of today, 1 starter CB & 2 backups (LB & CB)
show as questionable, 4 backups show as out, &
3 backup defensive players are on IR.

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Cowboys defensive stats:

o 30.77% are at or near the top,
o 53.85% are in the middle, &
o 15.38% are at or near the bottom:

~~~

Cowboys Defense Top or
Near the Top of the League:

o 2nd in most takeaways per game ( 2.4 )
o Tied for 5th in fewest rushing TDs allowed per game ( 0.6 )
o 5th in fewest rushing yards allowed per game ( 79.4 )
o 7th in lowest passer-rating allowed ( 85.0 )

~~~

Cowboys Defense Middle
of the League:

o 11th in lowest 3rd down conversion% allowed ( 36.1% )
o 12th in lowest completion% allowed ( 64.9% )
o 14th in lowest rushing yards allowed per attempt ( 4.22 )
o Tied for 14th in fewest points allowed per game ( 23.4 )
o Tied for 14th in fewest 1st downs allowed per game ( 20.8 )
o Tied for 17th in most sacks per game ( 2.0 )
o Tied for 21st in fewest passing TDs allowed per game ( 2.0 )

~~~

Cowboys Defense Weaknesses /
Bottom or Near-Bottom of the League:

o 25th in fewest total yards allowed per game ( 390.4 )
o 31st in fewest passing yards allowed per game ( 311.0 )

~~~

2 of 4 defensive linemen starters out, 1 starting
safety out, many backup defensive linemen & CB out.

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