The Cowboys make their second trip to Foxboro this year (Patriots posted a 34-14 win this summer) and make their first regular season appearance in New England since 1987 looking to remain perfect in this interconference series.

Dallas owns a 7-0 record in this infrequent setting, including a 12-6 triumph at Texas Stadium in 1996 in the most recent encounter between these clubs.

The Cowboys are 3-0 lifetime in Foxboro, their last visit to New England resulting in a 23-17 overtime victory in 1987.

Numbers: Including playoffs, dating back to '98, in 15 games vs. NFC East rivals, Cowboys are 11-4, totaling 371 points and 39 offensive touchdowns in those 15 contests. In 13 games vs. the rest of the NFL, Cowboys are 5-8, totaling 272 points (20.1 PPG) and 26 offensive touchdowns. The Cowboys have totaled 18 interceptions in 11 games in '99, this after totaling just 14 interceptions in 16 games in '98. RB Emmitt Smith has rushed for 100 or more yards in his last three games and 12 of his last 22 contests dating back to '98. Smith has totaled 135 rushing touchdowns, 38 of those scores from one yard out. Including playoffs, the Cowboys have allowed 27 TD passes in their last 19 games dating back to '98, this after giving up just nine touchdown passes in their first nine contests in '98. The Cowboys have outscored the opposition a combined 71-6 in the first quarter in 11 games in '99. The Cowboys have forced two or more turnovers in four straight games. They have limited the opposition to 13 or fewer points in three straight games. Including playoffs, Cowboys CB Deion Sanders has scored 22 touchdowns in six different ways (8 interceptions, 6 punt returns, 3 kickoff returns, 3 receptions, 1 rushing and 1 fumble recovery) in 11 NFL seasons (1989-99).

In his last three games (0-3), Patriots QB Drew Bledsoe has completed just 48-of-104 passes (46.2 percent) for 576 yards, 4 touchdowns and 9 interceptions, this after completing 164-of-271 passes (60.5 percent) for 2,314 yards, 13 touchdowns and just 4 interceptions in his first 8 contests (6-2) in '99. They have committed five turnovers in six wins, 16 turnovers in five losses in '99. The Patriots have allowed three or more sacks in five straight games. They have been limited to 17 or fewer points in three straight games. They have committed two or more turnovers in three straight games.

Things to look for: Chan Gailey's team got a much-needed victory over the Dolphins, and now has had more than enough time to figue out why his Cowboys have been a different team away from Texas Stadium. The Patriots will take a victory anywhere as they are on the verge of falling out of the AFC playoff picture, and you can look for QB Drew Bledsoe to break out of his funk and light up Dallas' secondary.

Etc.: The Cowboys are 22-9 in their next game after Thanksgiving. They have lost five straight road games, scoring first in each of those five contests. Including Super Bowls (3-0), the Cowboys are 26-13 vs. AFC teams in the 1990s (1-1 in '99). Cowboys RB Emmitt Smith (145) is tied with Marcus Allen (145) for 2nd place on the NFL's all-time touchdowns scored list, and needs one touchdown to move into 2nd place by himself.

Including Super Bowl XXXI, Patriots are 13-26 vs. NFC competition since '89 (2-0 in '99). The Patriots are 10-26 lifetime vs. NFC East competition (2-0 in '99). QB Drew Bledsoe (24,867) needs 133 yards to reach 25,000 career passing yards. The Patriots have lost three straight games.