By Zuri Berry, Globe Staff

FOXBOROUGH -- Good afternoon from Gillette Stadium as the Patriots (4-1) prepare to host the Dallas Cowboys (2-2) in Week 6.

The Patriots are coming off a 30-21 win over the New York Jets while the Cowboys are coming off a bye week. Before the bye, the Cowboys lost 34-30 to the Detroit Lions.

It's the first time that the Patriots are playing the Cowboys since 2007, a 48-27 win for New England in which Tom Brady threw five touchdown passes and Wes Welker caught 11 passes for 124 yards and two touchdowns.

However, the Cowboys lead the all-time regular season series 7-3.

With one touchdown pass, Brady will move into sole possession of eighth place in career TD passes. He's currently tied with Vinny Testaverde with 275 and sits behind No. 7 Johnny Unitas, who finished his career with 290.

Kickoff: 4:15 p.m.

Season records: Patriots 4-1; Cowboys 2-2

TV/Radio info: WFXT-TV FOX Channel 25 (Thom Brennaman, Troy Aikman); 98.5 FM The Sports Hub (Gil Santos, Gino Cappelletti, Scott Zolak).

Projected starting lineups*
(Based on pregame material distributed to media and last week's starting lineup.)

Patriots offense: WR Wes Welker, LT Matt Light, LG Logan Mankins, C Dan Connolly, RG Brian Waters, RT Nate Solder, TE Rob Gronkowski, WR Deion Branch, QB Tom Brady, RB BenJarvus Green-Ellis, TE Aaron Hernandez.

Cowboys offense: WR Dez Bryant, LT Doug Free, LG Bill Nagy, C Phil Costa, RG Kyle Kosier, RT Tyron Smith, TE Jason Witten, WR Miles Austin, QB Tony Romo, FB Tony Fiammetta, RB Felix Jones.

Patriots defense: LE Shaun Ellis, NT Vince Wilfork, DT Kyle Love, RE Andre Carter, OLB Rob Ninkovich, ILB Brandon Spikes, OLB Gary Guyton, LCB Devin McCourty, RCB Kyle Arrington, S James Ihedigbo, S Patrick Chung.

Cowboys defense: LE Kenyon Coleman, NT Jay Ratliff, RE Jason Hatcher, SLB Anthony Spencer, MLB Bradie James, WLB Sean Lee, JLB DeMarcus Ware, LCB Terence Newman, RCB Mike Jenkins, FS Gerald Sensabaugh, SS Abram Elam.

Out/Inactive*
Will be updated before game time.

Patriots: S Josh Barrett (thumb/hamstring), S Sergio Brown, CB Ras-I Dowling, WR Julian Edelman, QB Ryan Mallett, LB Jerod Mayo, OT Sebastian Vollmer.

Cowboys: K David Buehler (groin), G Derrick Dockery (knee), FB Tony Fiammetta (hamstring), DE Jason Hatcher (calf)

A different dynamic: Last week, the Patriots faced what amounted to the New York Jets' version of "ground and pound" and a defensive back heavy defense. The Patriots countered with strong ground game of their own and smothered the Jets. This week, they'll face a different offensive philosophy with the Cowboys. They'll likely see a ton of Tony Romo dropbacks in an attempt to attack the Patriots' vulnerable secondary. (The Patriots pass defense is ranked 32d in the NFL allowing 326.6 yards per game.) The Cowboys are the No. 3 passing offense in the NFL, behind only the Patriots and the New Orleans Saints.

Banged up: The Patriots have 12 players that are questionable for today's game due to injuries. The secondary is hurting the most. Leigh Bodden (thumb), Sergio Brown (chest) and Ras-I Dowling (hip) all have lingering issues while safety Josh Barrett has been ruled out with thumb and hamstring injures. Safety Patrick Chung (hand) is listed as probable for today's game.