NEW ORLEANS – After losing three of their previous four games, the Dallas Cowboys came away with a victory at Caesars Superdome. Dallas snapped a two-game losing streak and improve to 8-4. Following a COVID outbreak during preparation leading into the Week 13 showdown, Dallas transitioned into a virtual format to mitigate the spread. Five coaches and two players were not in attendance at the ballgame, including head coach Mike McCarthy. He watched the game from a hotel in Frisco, Texas as defensive coordinator Dan Quinn managed the head coaching duties from the sideline, as well as the defensive play-calling responsibilities.
Dallas was able to rally and overcome adversity. It was certainly not a pretty victory by any stretch of the imagination. In fact, it was an ugly output. The Cowboys could not afford another loss but did enough on the gridiron for a mark in the win column.
Troubling Patterns
Two problematic areas once again emerged for the Cowboys: an inability to establish the run or contain Taysom Hill on the ground. Kellen Moore continuously dialed up runs between the tackles on early downs. Whether it was Ezekiel Elliott or Tony Pollard lunging between the A or B gap, the result was less than encouraging. Much of the time, the ball carriers were bottled up in the backfield for no gain. Elliott continues to fight through a lingering knee injury and against the Saints, Tony Pollard’s skillset was not maximized. Pollard is the shiftier back with burst along the perimeter. Getting him out in space with misdirection or counter pulls would have been optimal but I digress. One of – if not the only – perimeter run he had, went for a 58-yard touchdown. Run game adjustments were not made to try and complement the inconsistent passing attack.
Dallas was able to offer a glimpse of the team’s peak form. In a four-play span in the first quarter, the Cowboys were on a roll. In his debut return from the Reserve/COVID-19 list, Amari Cooper converted on third down with a 41-yard catch and run. CeeDee Lamb connected with Dak Prescott on a 33-yard gain to set up Michael Gallup’s score. Prescott hit Lamb with a perfectly executed tight window throw, culminating in a one-yard fade to Gallup in the endzone. The sensational drive was quickly put in the rearview as continued woes ensued.
On the opposite side of the ball, more chunk plays were given up. Despite missing both starting tackles, the Saints had four completions of 20 or more yards. New Orleans entered the ballgame tied for the fewest completions of 20-plus yards in 2021 (26). Quarterback Taysom Hill imposed his will on the ground. Due to poor tackling angles and inadequacy at setting edges, Hill carved up the Cowboys’ defense. He finished with 101 rushing yards and averaged nine yards a carry. Nothing more demoralizing for a defense than a one-dimensional backup quarterback gashing the unit on the ground. With Kyler Murray coming up on the schedule, Dallas has to find answers.
Defensive Takeaways
Dan Quinn’s unit compiled four takeaways to seal the road victory. Jayron Kearse intercepted Taysom Hill in the second quarter and in the fourth quarter on three-straight offensive possessions for New Orleans, Dallas picked off the football. First by Damontae Kazee, then Trevon Diggs and for good measure, defensive tackle Carlos Watkins registered a pick-six late in the fourth. Despite lapses in coverage, the unit’s aggressive style, instinctual play and ball-tracking ability led to four forced turnovers. For a takeaway-driven squad, the defense accomplished the task against the Saints to bail out the offense.
Key Plays Of The Game
After a 100-yard kickoff return touchdown against the Raiders last week, Pollard made another game-shifting play. Up 13-10 in the third after two consecutive three-and-outs, Pollard hit the gas pedal. The Memphis product cut to the left boundary and quickly accelerated to top speed as he dashed 58-yards to the end zone. His burst extended the Cowboys lead, 20-10 and shifted the momentum. When the team desperately needed an impact play on offense, Pollard delivered.
With the lead in the fourth quarter, the Saints were in field goal range at third-and-two. Enter rookie sensation Micah Parsons. He showcased his rare closing speed and registered an 11-yard sack, forcing a punt and taking the Saints out of a scoring opportunity. The play marked Parsons’ 10th sack of the season. His downhill range and pursuit skills continue to wreak havoc on offensive game plans week-after-week.
