You couldn’t have asked for a better start to the 2024 season from the New Orleans Saints last Sunday after they trounced the Carolina Panthers 47-10 in the Caesars Superdome. Everything clicked for the Black and Gold as they extended their season-opening win streak to six.
Now, the Saints will move on and go to Dallas to take on the Cowboys. Dallas also had an impressive win in week one when they went up to Cleveland and dismantled the Browns on the way to a 33-17 road victory. This upcoming matchup will be the first of many for New Orleans as their next few games will be against teams like the Eagles, Falcons, and Chiefs.
Kickoff inside AT&T Stadium is set for noon on Sunday, September 15th.
O LINE HEALTH
The health of the Saints’ offensive line is a big question heading into Sunday’s contest.
There were concerns about the unit before the start of the 2024 season. Former first-round pick Trevor Penning has been underwhelming and was moved from left to right tackle. This year’s first-round pick Taliese Fuaga has taken over the left tackle position and for the majority of the offseason, there were questions about who would fill James Hurst’s shoes at left guard after he announced his retirement.
The final injury report tells us that the left side of the line is in jeopardy of being short-staffed as Fuaga and starting guard Lucas Patrick are listed as questionable. These are crucial to look out for as Dallas has a pair of impressive pass rushers in Micah Parsons and DeMarcus Lawrence who could affect Derek Carr all game.
BACK AND FORTH
The Cowboy defense is opportunistic as they record turnovers off the pressure they create on opposing quarterbacks. Last year, that unit had a +10 turnover differential as they intercepted 17 passes and recovered nine fumbles.
That being said, Dallas tends to give up explosive plays in the pass-and-run game. In 2023, the Cowboys didn’t defend the run as well as they allowed over 112 rushing yards per game.
The new Saints offensive scheme is built on running the football and setting up deep passes to their wide receivers like Chris Olave and Rashid Shaheed. Those weaknesses for Dallas can keep New Orleans in the game and make it closer than the betting line would lead you to believe with the Saints being six-point underdogs.
OPPORTUNITIES ON DEFENSE
Just like Dallas, New Orleans wants to attack the quarterback. The Saints in week one sacked Carolina’s Bryce Young four times on different blitzes and pressure packages. Young also threw a couple of picks due to the pass rush of the Saints.
Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott likely won’t burn the New Orleans with his legs, something that has plagued the Black and Gold the last few years. The Saints’ defensive unit has a rotation of defensive linemen and secondary players.
The big matchup to look out for on Sunday is who lines up opposite Dallas star receiver CeeDee Lamb. Marshon Lattimore normally covers the opponent’s best receiver on the outside but Lamb lines up in multiple spots, including the slot. Depending on the plan for the Cowboys, fans could see slot corner Alontae Taylor take responsibility for defending Lamb for most of the contest.
SERIES RECORD: Cowboys lead 18-13
Last 5 Meetings:
2021: COWBOYS 27 – SAINTS 17
2019: SAINTS 12 – COWBOYS 10
2018: COWBOYS 13 – SAINTS 10
2015: SAINTS 26 – COWBOYS 20 OT
2014: COWBOYS 38 – SAINTS 17
STAT LEADERS
SAINTS
Derek Carr: 19-of-23, 200 yards, 3 TD
Alvin Kamara: 15 carries, 83 yards, 1 TD
Rashid Shaheed: 3 catches, 72 yards, 1 TD
Alontae Taylor: 3 sacks
Alontae Taylor: 6 tackles (5 solo)
Will Harris & Jordan Howden: 1 INT
Blake Grupe: 4-of-4 Field Goals, Long of 57, 5-of-5 PAT
COWBOYS
Dak Prescott: 19-of-32, 179 yards, 1 TD
Ezekiel Elliott: 10 carries, 40 yards, 1 TD
CeeDee Lamb: 5 catches, 61 yards
DeMarcus Lawrence & Eric Kendricks: 2 sacks
DeMarvion Overshown: 11 tackles (5 solo)
Trevon Diggs & Eric Kendricks: 1 INT
Brandon Aubrey: 4-of-4 Field Goals, Long of 57, 3-of-3 PAT
NOTABLE INJURIES
SAINTS
D’Marco Jackson, LB, Calf, Out
Marshon Lattimore, CB, Hamstring, Questionable
Tyrann Mathieu, S, Heel, Questionable
Lucas Patrick, OG, Toe, Questionable
Khalen Saunders, DT, Calf, Out
Jaylan Ford, LB, Hamstring, Probable
Taliese Fuaga, OT, Back, Questionable
Dallin Holker, TE, Ankle, Questionable
Foster Moreau, TE, Concussion, Questionable
A.T. Perry, WR, Hand, Probable
Nick Saldiveri, OL, Calf, Probable
Rashid Shaheed, WR, Finger/Hip, Questionable
Jamaal Williams, RB, Shoulder, Probable
Bryan Bresee, DT, Illness, Questionable
Isaiah Foskey, ED, Back, Questionable
COWBOYS
Jake Ferguson, TE, Knee, Doubtful
Marshawn Kneeland, ED, Calf, Questionable
John Stephens, TE, Hamstring, Out
Brandin Cooks, WR, Rest, Probable
CJ Goodwin, CB, Foot, Questionable
Eric Kendricks, LB, Rest, Probable
DeMarcus Lawrence, ED, Rest, Probable
Zack Martin, OG, Rest, Probable