Thursday Night Football 11-29-2018

Saints @ Cowboys

The 10-1 Saints marched into the Dallas Cowboys beautiful stadium for Thursday Night Football.

The Cowboys received the opening kickoff, Dak Prescott in has last three games has gone 3-0 with a 70% completion rate 6TDs and 103.4 rating. The Saints came into the game with the number one rush defense.

The Cowboys started their opening drive moving the ball inside the Saints 10, the drive ended with a Saints sack inside the ten, the Cowboys hit a short field goal to put the first points on the board. Saints 0 – Cowboys 3

The Saints could not respond with their first drive as they went three and out.

The Cowboys scored again with a screen pass from Prescott to Elliot for 16 yards. Extra Point was good. Saints 0 – Cowboys 10.

Scoring Drive 8 Plays 85 yards in 4:10
Prescott 5/5, 68yds

1st Quarter Score Saints 0 Cowboys 10

The Saints forced the first turnover of the game as the knee of M. Lattimore caused a A. Cooper fumble. This was the Cowboys first TO in the last 4 games. The Saints first 3 possessions this game ended with 3 punts and only 21 yards. The Saints were able to get the ball inside the Cowboy 5 and decided to go for it on a 4th down (this season the Saints were 11 for 12 on 4th down conversions). The Saints were unable to convert the 4th down from the 3 yard line and turned the ball over on downs.

With seconds left in the second half Dallas was able to add 3 more points.

End of 1st half Saints 0 Cowboys 13

1st Half Stats
Saints
Rush Yards 28
Passing Yards 31
TOP 8:11

Cowboys
Rush Yards 56
Passing Yards 173
TOP 21:49

Dallas Cowboys

The Saints received the 2nd half kick and looked to put points on the board. The Saints earned their fewest total yards in any half since 2002 (59 total yards). Drew Brees also threw for his lowest passing yards as a Saint (39) and this was the first time the Saints had been shut out in the first half in 72 games. The Saints ended their drive with a 33 yard field goal. Saints 3 Cowboys 13

The Cowboys had a defensive stop with 1:53 left in the third when they committed a roughing the kicker penalty that gave the Saints a first down to keep the drive alive. That penalty cost the Cowboys, as Drew Brees threw a thirty yard TD pass to Kirkwood. Extra Point was good. Saints 10 Cowboys 13

End of 3rd Quarter Saints 10 Cowboys 13

With under three minutes left in the 4th quarter the Saints defense was able to cause a D. Prescott fumble inside their own 10 yard line.

Just as I thought that Drew Brees would start the game winning drive, Brees through a crowd erupting interception.

The Cowboys ran out the clock and defeated the New Orleans Saints 13-10.