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| Drew Brees fell eight yards short of being the fifth quarterback to throw for 400 yards against the Cowboys this season, but he'll take the big home win. |
Eric Meyer
It was another typical primetime game in the Superdome, with
an exciting matchup between two playoff contenders. And, as usual, the Saints
blew their opponent off the field. Drew Brees threw for four touchdown passes
and the Saints set an NFL record for most first downs in a game (4) while Rob
Ryan’s defense dominated its former team in a 49-17 romp.
The game had a fairly pedestrian start, with each team
exchanging punts on their opening drives. The Cowboys had an opportunity to
seize momentum on Darren Sproles’s muffed punt, but the Saints’ defense
stiffened and held the Cowboys to just a field goal.
The Saints answered with a drive led primarily by Pierre
Thomas on the ground, and Breed eventually found Marques Colston for six as the
Saints took a 7-3 lead.
The Cowboys followed with their only truly impressive drive
of the game, charging down the field with DeMarco Murray and eventually scoring
a rushing touchdown, taking the lead right back from New Orleans.
From this point, it was all Saints. Brees led another
impressive drive, ending in a Pierre Thomas touchdown reception. The Saints
scored two more quick touchdowns to end the first half with a 28-10 lead.
In the second half, the Cowboys took advantage of a lax
Saints defense for their second touchdown drive of the game, and then launched
a surprise onside kick in order to attempt to get back in the game. They
succeeded in recovering the ball, but the Saints D woke up from their brief nap
and dominated the next series, forcing a 3-and-out.
The Cowboys made no noise for the rest of the game and the
Saints coasted to an easy win in front of their home crowd, improving to 7-2
and maintaining a one-game lead in the NFC South race over the upstart
Panthers.
New Orleans will take on the 49ers at home next week, but
the Saints have to be confident after the dominance they’ve shown at home, on
both sides of the ball.
[Puff’s Game Notes]
The Saints’ 625 total yards were the most by an NFL in the
regular season game since 1982. The Saints last had a similar game when they
gained 626 total yards in a 2011-12 playoff win against Detroit. This was also
the most yards given up by the Dallas Cowboys in franchise history.
Final Score:
Dallas Cowboys – 17
New Orleans Saints – 49
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