Dallas Cowboys Get First Primetime Test In New Orleans
The New Orleans Saints host the Dallas Cowboys as both teams lead their respective divisions. This matchup is what fans believe will give football aficionados a truer perspective of what type of team the undefeated Cowboys really are. The Sunday night football game will have a lot of NFL fans watching across the country and if you support the Dallas Cowboys, that’s exactly what you want. Pressure of a road game against a quality team also in first place should be a much better indicator about the Cowboys than their first three opponents.
No Drew Brees….no problem. Quarterback Teddy Bridgewater, the former first round pick from 2014 has filled in admirably for Hall of Famer to be Drew Brees for the Saints. Bridgewater will have running back Alvin Kamara and wide receiver Michael Thomas to get the ball to if the Saints want a chance to win. Interestingly, Dallas will match Bridgewater, Kamara and Thomas with Dak, Zeke and Amari! Both sets of offensive weapons will go at it all game, however, this game may come down to supporting casts of offensive players that a defense may not be able to account for with most of the defensive personnel focused on the top three offensive players. The supporting cast is where the Cowboys may have their clear advantage if everything else is the same. Speedster wideout Devin Smith and veteran Randall Cobb can make plays in the passing game along with tight end Jason Witten who has found the endzone multiple times this season. Running back Tony Pollard can give Ezekiel Elliott just enough of a break to make the difference in a hotly contested ballgame.
Statistically, the Cowboys have the advantage on defense. The Saints defense has given up 28, 27 and 27 points in the first three games. The teams may have been better opponents than what the Cowboys have faced, but if the Cowboys can get four or more touchdowns against the Saints, there is a very good chance Dallas wins. The Cowboys defense is stout from their line to the secondary and this may create a CB Byron Jones-WR Michael Thomas matchup along with dynamic linebacker duo Jaylon Smith & Leighton Vander Esch corralling running back Alvin Kamara! Whichever team’s defensive line can pressure the quarterback may also make the difference in this game. The advantage is with Dallas however this talented defensive line will need to play up to its level of dominance therefore creating the disruption needed to get the Saints offense off the field.
Finally, I believe this week’s game may be all about Dak Prescott and his ability to take command of his offense and the wind out of the sails of a raucous Sunday night home crowd in the Superdome. Prescott is on a quest for a championship while seeking a huge increase in his salary. Contributing mightily to a quality road win surely brings a boost to his team and an abundance to his wallet. At this level, this game is a business and the Cowboys should be all business in New Orleans Sunday night.