Timeline: Rise and fall of the Patriots
Oct. 14 - Patriots take out Cowboys
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Leading into this showdown, Cowboys receiver Terrell Owens advises fans to “Getcha popcorn ready!.” After three wins over lesser AFC opponents Buffalo, Cleveland and Cincinnati, the 5-0 Patriots visit the 5-0 Cowboys. A week of debate about whether New England can maintain its insane offensive (38, 38, 38, 34 and 34 points) in consecutive games precedes the game. The Patriots wind up wining 48-27. It’s the closest game of the season for New England, which trails 24-21 in the third before turning on the jets. Brady throws five touchdown passes to raise his total to 21 for the season and put him ahead of pace to break Peyton Manning’s record. Patriots Adalius Thomas and Rosevelt Colvin fling handfuls of popcorn into their mouths as they exit the field.
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