Dallas Cowboys CeeDee Lamb, Micah Parsons & '3 to Watch' vs. New England Patriots

As the Cowboys prepare to take on the New England Patriots in Week 4 of the 2023 season, CowboysSI.com highlights three players - including CeeDee Lamb and Micah Parsons - on whom Dallas’ fans might want to keep watch.

The Dallas Cowboys are looking to return to the win column as they prepare for their Week 4 matchup against the New England Patriots. Kickoff is set for 3:25 p.m.CT at AT&T Stadium.

After dominating their competition on both sides of the ball in Weeks 1 and 2, Dallas suffered a surprising 28-16 defeat to the Arizona Cardinals. Conversely, the Patriots (1-2) enter this contest on the heels of a 15-10 victory over the New York Jets. While New England has shown flashes of prowess on both sides of the ball, Dallas’ talent and continuity should allow them the opportunity to control the action on their home field.

Though many of Dallas’ most notables are expected to garner some attention during this upcoming matchup, here are three players that might raise an eyebrow when the Cowboys take the field against the Patriots.

CeeDee Lamb - Despite having yet to find the end zone through Dallas’ first three games, Lamb is still the team’s undisputed top option at receiver. The 24-year-old caught four of seven targets for 53 yards in the Cowboys’ Week 3 loss to the Cardinals. In fact, Lamb has topped 50 receiving yards in all three games this season. However, he faces a tough matchup in Week 4 against a Patriots defense which has held some of the NFL’s top pass-catchers in check.

Lamb is expected to draw the coverage of first-year cornerback Christian Gonzalez. Having been recently named defensive rookie of the month for September, Gonzalez has used both his length and speed to lock down his targets. Still, the Oregon product is at his best in man coverage along the boundary. With Lamb’s prowess stemming from his effectiveness in the slot, he may earn the attention of New England slot corner Myles Bryant, as well.

CeeDee's answer to Dallas' recent red-zone problems? "Let me touch the rock!'' he said quite clearly this week.

Dallas Cowboys WR CeeDee Lamb (88) Scores an Overtime Touchdown over New England Patriots cornerback Jalen Mills (2) / Cred: USA Today Images

Stephon Gilmore - Gilmore once again finds himself atop a cornerback depth chart. The 33-year-old former Patriot inherited Dallas' No. 1 spot after Pro Bowler Trevon Diggs suffered a torn ACL in practice last week. Through three games this season, Gilmore has one interception, and four passes defended, while aligning on 90 percent of the Cowboys' defensive snaps. He has also become an invaluable mentor to Dallas' corners DaRon Bland and Jourdan Lewis in Diggs's absence.

Despite being the elder statesman in Dallas’ positional grouping at cornerback, Gilmore is still capable of locking down his side of the field. While Patriots quarterback Mac Jones may be tempted to test the right side of the defensive backfield [formerly held by Diggs, now manned by Bland] expect Gilmore to see time matching up with receivers DeVante Parker and Kendrick Bourne, given his familiarity with his former team’s tendencies. 

Oh, and while this is being billed as The Ezekiel Elliott Revenge Game,'' Gilmore has his thoughts and his remarks on opposing his old team as well.

"Every game is personal,'' Gilmore insisted.

Micah Parsons - Though he may have a watchful eye on the return of former teammate Elliott on Sunday - and with Dallas maybe needing him to play more snaps at linebacker this week due to the thinness of that room - Parsons has undeniably emerged as the premier defensive threat in the NFL. The 24-year-old has logged 12 tackles (five for loss,) four sacks and a forced fumble through Dallas' first three games. Against the Patriots, the Penn State product will be charged with disrupting the rhythm of Jones – who has played better under pressure this season, yet still struggles against the blitz from the second level of the defense.

As a result, New England’s offensive line is expected to double-team at the line of scrimmage. While they may be able to theoretically slow his production by doing so, Parsons’ occupying at least two offensive blockers on each play may allow several of Dallas’ other defenders the freedom to make plays.

When the Pats do not deploy the double-team, Parsons is likely to make both Jones and the Patriots’ offensive line pay the price. 

Said Micah about putting the Arizona loss behind him and moving on to Sunday: "The positives of failure is that you always learn. You never really lose. You lose in a moment that sucks, but the positive is you always learn. You never want to take a 'double-L.' Never want to 'lose' and not 'learn.' You always want to lose and learn and fix your mistakes.