"The Dallas Cowboys passing game presents many challenges for an opposing defense, the biggest coming in the form of 6-foot-6 tight end Jason Witten.

Witten leads an impressive group of receivers into Sunday's matchup with the Patriots at Gillette Stadium.

While the Patriots pass defense is ranked last in the league, it has succeeded against elite tight ends. In Week 2, the Pats shut out San Diego's Antonio Gates. Last weekend, the Jets' Dustin Keller was held to one catch for 7 yards.

Linebacker Rob Ninkovich credits Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski with giving the defense a similar target to practice against each day.

"Witten is a bigger guy. He's not considered just a receiver. He stays in. He does his blocking assignments," Ninkovich said. "As a defense, for us, we've got a guy like Gronkowski that we're going against all year. So he's a good guy to compare Witten to as far as size and being able to be a receiving tight end as well as blocking.""