New England Patriots Links 10/09/15 - Gronkowski, Lewis Primed for Big Games vs. Cowboys

TEAM TALK

• Patriots-Cowboys Thursday Injury Report.
• Erik Scalavino talks about Dion Lewis' contract extension and shares all the buzz from Gillette on Thursday.
• Andy Hart relays Ivan Fears' perspective on Tom Brady after 14 years: "I got on the right horse, that was Tom Brady. That horse is a hell of a stallion." /Good read.
• What they're saying: Dallas Cowboys.
• Patriots Today - Dion Lewis making an impact. (2.28 min. video)
• Patriots Today - Perillo's points on Dallas Cowboys. (2.34 min. video)
• PFW in Progress recap: Cowboys and Week 5 picks.

LOCAL LINKS

• Ron Borges writes that the beauty of Tom Brady needs no outside force to motivate him. /He's right.
• Mark Farinella reports Jabaal Sheard has proven to be a valuable and productive part of the DE rotation, and he'll be needed against the Cowboys' talented, young O-line.
• Christopher Price explains why Dion Lewis could have a big day on Sunday.
• Mike Reiss reports Dion Lewis bounced around the league for two years before the Patriots gave him his chance, so signing an extension made sense to him.
• CSNNE Sports Tonight - Ben Volin says the Patriots are "breaking their trends" by signing Dion Lewis to a new deal.
• Tom Layman notes the Cowboys defense has done well so far blanketing tight ends, but Rob Gronkowski may be a bigger challenge.
• Rich Garven points out that it's Rob Gronkowski's ability to line up at multiple positions that makes him even more dangerous.
• Rich Garven notes Brandon Weeden is looking to end his personal 10-game losing streak against the Patriots.
• Michael Whitmer focuses on the Patriots defensive tackles, and how they've been working on stopping the run.
• Jeff Howe writes about the dynamic duo of Jamie Collins and Dont'a Hightower.
• Mark Daniels finds that for Duron Harmon, the model of success is Devin McCourty.
• Mike Reiss shares some of Tedy Bruschi's insight on what stands out to him in Sunday's Patriots-Cowboys game.
• Mike Reiss notes Tom Brady uses his Facebook page to wish the Boston Bruins good luck this season.
• Jeff Howe Patriots Notebook: After four-plus years, Dion Lewis finally has some validation, signing an extension with the Patriots; DE Trey Flowers' shoulder injury is related to one he suffered in during practice against the Packers back in August.
• Tom E. Curran talks about the NFL has been listening to Bill Belichick and is working on a few of his rules recommendations.
• Michael Hurley laments the fact that "so much of the NFL just stinks. Out loud. Every week." before making his Week 5 picks.
• Jim Lazar says there's something about the once legendary, now ordinary Cowboys, that in their time were always the team everybody loved to beat. Now it's the Hate-riots. Week 5 picks. Patriots win 34-17.

NATIONAL NEWS

• Matt Chatham (Fox Sports) Game of the Week: Do Cowboys stand a chance against Patriots?
• Oliver Thomas (247 Sports) Numbers of note: Previewing Patriots vs. Cowboys.
• Todd Archer and Mike Reiss (ESPN) Cowboys, Patriots have more similarities than meets the eye.
• Matt Chatham (Football by Football) Establishing the run game best chance for Dallas to slow New England offense.
• Oliver Thomas (247 Sports) Rodney Harrison: Patriots 'have enough' to beat Cowboys.
• Brian Filipiak (Inside the Pylon) Patriot Michael Williams: A tackle in tight end's clothing.
• Todd Archer (ESPN) Rob Gronkowski is Byron Jones' biggest challenge maybe all season.
• Bucky Brooks* (NFL.com) Julian Edelman, Randall Cobb among NFL's top slot receivers.
• Todd Archer (ESPN) Jason Garrett on Greg Hardy's comments: 'We addressed it immediately'.
• NFL Live (ESPN) Weeden takes on New England. (1 in. video)
• Charles Robinson (Yahoo! Sports) 10 hard truths entering Week 5: 1. Those who predicted Tom Brady's blazing start were right.
  
• Robert Weintraub (Sports on Earth) One big question for every AFC team. New England: Can Gronk stay healthy?
• Robert Klemko (The MMQB) How daily fantasy Is changing the game.
• Michael McCann (SI) What impact will the lawsuit filed against DraftKings, FanDuel have?
• David Steele (Sporting News) DFS developments blur Goodell, NFL's line between fantasy and gambling.
• Mike Florio (ProFootballTalk) Week Five picks. Florio: Patriots 44-20, MDS: Patriots 38-14.
• Pete Prisco (CBS Sports) Week 5 picks. Patriots 37-17.
• Dave Dameshek (NFL.com) Football Baby: Week 5 picks.(1.33 min. video) Patriots over Cowboys.
• Rufus Peabody and Will Leitch (Sports on Earth) "Man vs. Machine" Week 5 picks. Man: Patriots 34-17; Machine: Patriots 31-22.

VIEW FROM DALLAS

• Nick Eatman (DallasCowboys.com) Sunday's game to feature WR trio lacking height, not playmaking ability.
• Michael Florek (Dallas News) J.J. Wilcox won't ask for Tom Brady's autograph after the game: 'I've done got cussed out a couple times for doing that.'
• Rob Phillips (DallasCowboys.com) Gronk, averaging nearly 20 yards a catch, the latest defensive challenge.
• Rainer Sabin (Dallas News) A look at one big reason why Cowboys haven't been able to recreate winning formula of '14
• David Helman (DallasCowboys.com) Loss of Dunbar could create larger role for Darren McFadden.
• Nick Eatman (DallasCowboys.com) Weeden keeps focus; Not concerned with comments about his 'limitations'.
• David Moore (Dallas News) Those bashing Weeden should check his QB rating, place blame elsewhere.
• Staff Report (Dallas News) Our experts' Week 5 NFL picks.  All ten pick Pats to win.