FRISCO, Texas – The 6-5 Dallas Cowboys face a 10-1 New Orleans Saints team in a NFC showdown on Thursday. The two teams have met 28 times with Dallas leading the series winning 16 and New Orleans winning 12. The Saints have won four of the last five matchups. A win for Dallas would up their overall record in the NFC to 6-3 and would mark there fourth straight win, the longest since the 11-game winning streak in 2016.
Against the Redskins last week, the Cowboys’ defense posted three turnovers and they will need another solid performance against one of the hottest offenses in the league. The Saints have won 10 straight games and Drew Brees is the highest ranked quarterback in the league with 3,125 yards, 29 TD’s, and only two interceptions.
Dallas’ defense has to create pressure on Brees, forcing him to make contested throws and they have to shut down passing lanes. Many consider the Saints to be a West Coast offensive approach that relies heavily on the passing game, sure Brees leads the NFL in passing yards but New Orleans has weapons in their running game as well. They attack defenses a variety of ways. Saints’ RB Alvin Kamara is the No. two leading scorer in the NFL behind Todd Gurley of the L.A. Rams. The team is ranked sixth in the league in both their run and pass on offense. The Cowboys’ defense will have their hands full on Thursday night.
Offensively, the Cowboys need long drives to control the clock and a dominant ground game. The offense will have to capitalize on opportunities in the red zone with touchdowns. Having to settle for field goals is not an option against this New Orleans offense that is firing on all cylinders and averages 37 points per game. All talk has been on the Saints offense but their run defense is ranked second in the league. DE Cam Jordan poses a threat off the edge. He has amassed 8.0 tackles in 2018 and four pass defends. He is a hard man to block around the edge with his speed and ability to beat offensive lineman off the line of scrimmage to wreak havoc on offenses and quarterbacks. The offensive line has to protect Dak from Jordan and give him efficient time to throw the football. They have done a great job opening up running lanes for Zeke helping to establish the run the past few games, and they will need another one come Thursday.
“ The Saints are a really good team and have one ten in a row, “Amari Cooper commented. “ They are one of the best teams in the league and if we beat them, that says a lot about us! “
This game will show if the Cowboys are a contender for the post-season and will up their confidence if they perform well as they face the remaining regular season games.
Monday, November 26, 2018 Practice Report:
Dallas Cowboys
WR Tavon Austin- Groin Injury, Did Not Practice
DE Taco Charlton- Shoulder injury, Full Participation
DT Maliek Collins- Knee injury, Limited Participation
WR Allen Hurns- Thumb injury, Limited Participation
DL David Irving- Ankle Injury, Did Not Practice
LB Sean Lee- Hamstring injury, Did Not Practice
G Zack Martin, Knee injury, Limited Participation
C Adam Redmond- Concussion, Full Participation
DE Daniel Ross- Calf injury, Full Participation
T Tyron Smith- Neck injury, Did Not Practice
G Xavier Su’a-Filo- Ankle injury, Limited Participation
TE Geoff Swaim- Wrist Injury, Did Not Practice
LB Joe Thomas- Foot injury, Full Participation
G Connor Williams- Knee injury, Full Participation
New Orleans Saints
T Terron Armstead- Pectoral injury, Did Not Practice
TE Dan Arnold- Chest injury, Limited Participation
DE Marcus Davenport- Toe injury, Limited Participation
K Will Lutz- Back injury- Limited Participation
G Andrus Peat- Shoulder injury-Limited participation
WR Tre’Quan Smith- Toe injury, Limited Participation
P.J. Williams- Hip injury, Limited Participation
