Patriots hoping to force Cowboys QB Dak Prescott to read defense, hold the ball Sunday

FOXBORO — Two weeks ago, the Patriots short-circuited the NFL’s most explosive passing attack by making Tom Brady hesitate in the pocket.

Down after down, the Pats presented him with one picture pre-snap, then sent safeties buzzing toward the line of scrimmage and linebackers flying back, creating a new post-snap puzzle for Brady to solve.

Now facing the league’s No. 2 scoring offense Sunday, the Patriots understand slowing Dallas’ litany of weapons starts must start with confusing their quarterback.

“We’ve got to keep ’em off the board, try to get stops, try to make Dak (Prescott) read some defenses and hold the ball a little bit longer so we can get to him,” Pats linebacker Matt Judon said Wednesday. “All 11 guys got to be on point this week.”

Against Tampa Bay, the Pats’ disguises forced Brady to hold the ball for an average of 2.61 seconds, per Pro Football Focus, his highest snap-to-throw time this season. Prescott has topped that average in two games this year, against the Eagles and Giants, who dropped him for a combined six sacks. However, Prescott also threw six touchdowns to only one interception in those contests, both lopsided victories.

The Patriots’ disguise must be unrelenting — as it was against Tampa — or the Cowboys, who are averaging 34 points per game, will make them pay.

“You don’t want to just tell them what you’re in, and see what they can do about it,” Pats coach Bill Belichick said Wednesday. “Make ’em figure it out, make ’em work for it, change it up on ’em a little bit.”

For the season, Prescott has completed 73.9% of his passes for 1,368 yards, 13 touchdowns and three interceptions. Starting wide receiver Amari Cooper and CeeDee Lamb are both over 300 receiving yards this season, with a combined six touchdowns. Tight end Dalton Schultz leads all Dallas pass catchers with 26 receptions.

The Pats played man coverage on 76% of their snaps against Brady’s Bucs, preferring to match up 1-on-1 with his receivers and use various defenders in short zone to hunt crossing routes. It’s possible starting corners J.C. Jackson and Jalen Mills could shadow Cooper and Lamb, though Mills’ status is contingent upon whether he’s recovered fast enough from a hamstring injury. Whether Mills plays or not, it’s a safe bet the Patriots won’t blitz Prescott often.

The Pats blitzed Brady on just 15% of his dropbacks, and know sending extra rushers at Prescott comes with the same risk.

Said Judon: “Dak makes it hard because he’s playing really good football right now. He’s reading defenses vey well, and he’s getting the ball out of his hands fast.”