Cowboys at Patriots final score: Tom Brady does enough, defense helps finish off Dak Prescott and Co.

It wasn't pretty, but the Patriots defense stepped up and carried Brady to a tenth win

Give the victory to the New England Patriots in a game that felt like the Dallas Cowboys wanted to lose, and so they did, with a 13-9 final score at Gillette Stadium. The Cowboys not only got off to a slow start, but they added salt to their own wounds by constantly making mental mistakes that helped New England remain in the game.

Weather made for a tough day passing by both teams, with neither Tom Brady nor Dak Prescott truly owning the afternoon, but the six-time Super Bowl champion found a way to gut it at out home to head to 10-1 on the season. Prescott and the Cowboys fall to 6-5 and still haven't landed a signature win this season, but can take a small bit of solace knowing they're still in sole possession of the NFC East -- for now.

That should be of little consolation to them though, knowing they had a chance to topple the mighty Patriots -- in Foxborough -- and flat-out choked.

Why the Patriots won

Simply put, the Patriots made fewer mistakes than did the Cowboys, and did just enough with their extra possessions to keep their opponent chasing their tail. Dallas had every chance in the world to upset New England, but couldn't help but upset themselves. There wasn't any one thing the Patriots did that was awe-inspiring, but they didn't need to, because they were finding ways to win when the Cowboys were desperately digging for ways to lose.

Why the Cowboys lost

When you get away from what's working, you'll probably lose the game. This is what happened when the Cowboys opted to routinely get away from Ezekiel Elliott and rookie Tony Pollard -- who were doing damage on the ground against a 24th-ranked run defense -- opting to pass in inclement weather, and when it was ill-advised. Opting to kick a field goal to make it a four-point game in the fourth quarter instead of attempting to score near the goal line was a terrible decision, and one that simply adds to the aforementioned list of mistakes made by the Cowboys.

Turning point

It happened early in the game, but it was the pivot the Patriots used to extend a lead they never lost. When a bad snap disrupted the timing on this pass and forced Prescott to rush the throw, Stephen Gilmore did what he usually does: snatch it out of the air.

Play of the game

This blocked punt by Matthew Slater led to the best throw of the night from Tom Brady, and gave the Patriots a lead they never gave back.

Quotable

"When it's weather like this -- good defenses need to become great defenses," Rob Gronkowski to Fox Sports.

What's next

The Cowboys will now ready to host the Buffalo Bills on Thanksgiving, with the Patriots heading to South Texas to take on the Houston Texans.

Catch all the highlights and more from what turned out to be a bar room brawl in Week 12 below.

[Nov 24, 2019 at 7:31 pm ET · Tyler Sullivan]

The Patriots defeat the Cowboys, 13-9, to move to 10-1 on the season. No. 1 seed in the conference still belongs to New England. Meanwhile, Dallas is now 6-5 on the year, but still have the lead in the NFC East. Thanks so much for joining us tonight!

[Nov 24, 2019 at 7:30 pm ET · Tyler Sullivan]

Tom Brady tried to kill the final two seconds by throwing it in the air out of bounds, but there is one second left in the game. Dallas has the ball.

[Nov 24, 2019 at 7:25 pm ET · Tyler Sullivan]

That first down by Michel will likely do it for this game.

[Nov 24, 2019 at 7:23 pm ET · Tyler Sullivan]

Patriots now have the ball at the Cowboys 25 yard line with 1:44 to play.

[Nov 24, 2019 at 7:23 pm ET · Tyler Sullivan]

The ruling on the field is reversed. Incomplete pass and the Cowboys turn the ball over on downs.

[Nov 24, 2019 at 7:21 pm ET · Tyler Sullivan]

This one may be coming back.

[Nov 24, 2019 at 7:21 pm ET · Tyler Sullivan]

Wow. Amari Cooper with a 20 yard completion. Ruling on the field was a catch, but the play is under review.

[Nov 24, 2019 at 7:20 pm ET · Tyler Sullivan]

Four down territory. Dallas is going for it on fourth-and-11 from their own 25 yard line.

[Nov 24, 2019 at 7:19 pm ET · Tyler Sullivan]

On third-and-2, Dak dumps it off to Ezekiel Elliot for a first down. BUT, Dallas was flagged for tripping. Third down coming up once again.

[Nov 24, 2019 at 7:16 pm ET · Tyler Sullivan]

That narrative here is all about Dak. This drive could thrust him even further into MVP discussion. If he doesn't, it could be a big dent into his candidacy.

[Nov 24, 2019 at 7:12 pm ET · Tyler Sullivan]

You've gotta bring that down if you're Burkhead. New England now punts it away to Dallas, who'll start deep in their own territory. Plenty of time for them to go on a run with their timeouts and the two minute warning in their pocket.

[Nov 24, 2019 at 7:09 pm ET · Tyler Sullivan]

Julian Edelman with what might be a dagger 23 yard completion. Great diving catch. Patriots now across midfield. And the clock keeps ticking.

[Nov 24, 2019 at 7:05 pm ET · Tyler Sullivan]

https://twitter.com/picksixpod...

[Nov 24, 2019 at 7:05 pm ET · Tyler Sullivan]

It's not like another field goal would tie the game or anything. To beat the Patriots in Foxborough, you need to be able to get into the end zone. So far, Dallas hasn't been able to do that.

[Nov 24, 2019 at 7:04 pm ET · Tyler Sullivan]

The decision by Dallas to kick that field goal there makes absolutely no sense.

[Nov 24, 2019 at 7:03 pm ET · Tyler Sullivan]

Maher hits the chip shot field goal. Patriots lead 13-9 with 6:04 to play in the fourth.

[Nov 24, 2019 at 7:02 pm ET · Tyler Sullivan]

Patrick Chung is banged up. Forced Jarwin out of bounds for an incomplete pass in the end zone, but seems to be shaken up. Walked off under his own power.

[Nov 24, 2019 at 7:01 pm ET · Tyler Sullivan]

Stephon Gilmore had a step on that and should have had a pick there. Would have been crushing for Dallas if he hung on.

[Nov 24, 2019 at 6:59 pm ET · Tyler Sullivan]

The screens to Elliott have been working really well for Dallas tonight. Just completed another one for 12 yards. Gives the Cowboys a first down and are inside the red zone.

[Nov 24, 2019 at 6:58 pm ET · Tyler Sullivan]

And now things get really interesting. Randall Cobb goes for 59 yards. All of a sudden, Dallas is on the doorstep of the red zone.

[Nov 24, 2019 at 6:53 pm ET · Tyler Sullivan]

Nick Folk nets the 42 yarder. Puts New England up 13-6. Some much needed separation for Bill Belichick's team. Dallas now needs a touchdown to tie it.

[Nov 24, 2019 at 6:52 pm ET · Tyler Sullivan]

That was a gross couple of offensive plays following the PI call. Patriots now looking to kick a 42 field goal here.

[Nov 24, 2019 at 6:50 pm ET · Tyler Sullivan]

Edelman was campaigning for that PI call all game. Finally gets it.

[Nov 24, 2019 at 6:48 pm ET · Tyler Sullivan]

Jakobi Meyers is stepping up. Has hauled in some extremely clutch passes in this game.

[Nov 24, 2019 at 6:45 pm ET · Tyler Sullivan]

https://twitter.com/NFLResearc...

[Nov 24, 2019 at 6:44 pm ET · Tyler Sullivan]

Feel like we haven't seen the Patriots run it right up the gut like that tonight. Typically, Sony Michel has been running at the tackles.