As we continue in NFL Week 4 we will preview a game that should be interesting since both the teams QB’s are out with injuries, and that’s the Cowboys of Dallas 2-1 (NFC East) playing at the Saints of New Orleans 0-3 (NFC South) with the game being played at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome in New Orleans, Louisiana on Sunday the 4th of October 2015, with kick-off scheduled for 8:35 PM ET and seen on NBC TV.
The opening odds at SBG for those that Bet on NFL football and the time of this writing had not been posted, more than likely awaiting the announcement from both teams on the starting QB’s for this game. They are calling the game, the story of 2 back-up, as the Cowboys travel to the Superdome to play the Saints who are 0-3. The Boys will be without QB Romo and WR Dez Bryant, while the Saints will be without QB Brees all a result of sustained injuries. Both teams are expected to give their all, as they both are seeking a win in this 4th game of the 2015 season.
For the Cowboys of Dallas fans, your team had a fast start against the Falcon in the Week 3 game as your back-up QB Weeden completed 9 of his 1st 9 passes for some 99 yards, but then was intercepted in the 2nd quarter, and as the game finished he had completed 22 of his 26 pass attempts for some 233 yards with no TD’s and the 1 interception.
Also you’re RB J. Randle got a fast start as on his 1st 3 carries with the ball he gained some 86 yards, one being a 38 yard run for a TD. But then he slowed also as for the rest of the game he had just 11 carries for a net 2 yards. The Cowboys have displayed a great offensive line, however they and the back need to figure out how to get going and score late in their games forthcoming.
In the 2nd half of that game the Boys only managed 3 – 1st downs, while in the 1st half they had some 20 -1st downs. Possibly against the Saints defense who allowed the Panthers last week some 431 total yards, the Dallas might get going and the Saints presently rank 28th in total defense with 398 yards allowed each game.
The Cowboys and QB Weeden have the receivers to get their passing game started, with L. Dunbar who had 10 receptions for 102 yards in the game against the Falcon, while their WR Beasley and TD Witten both had a 10 yard average on their reception last Sunday.
One thing Dallas needs to improve on is their defensive pass rush, as they only manages a sack by LB Lee in the week 3 game, while accumulating only 3 sacks to date. But that pass rush may come easier against t he Saints OL who rank 28th in the league this season, and they have been sacked some 7 times in 2015. The Cowboys in their ultimate 10 road game are 9 and 1 straight up.
Then for the fans of the Saints of New Orleans, yes your QB Brees will sit out this game with a shoulder bruise, thus back-up QB L. McCowan will start in this game. Last Sunday when he came into the game he managed to complete some 31 or his 38 pass attempts for 312 total yards with 1 intercept and no TD’s. That and the fact they he teamed well with the Saints receivers as B. Cooks had 7 receptions for 80 yards and M. Colston had 4 catches for 46 yards, and RB M. Ingram had 5 receptions for another 48 yards. RB Ingram also rushed for 50 plus yards and a TD, which ranks them 5th in the NFL.
However, the Saints may find the going tough against the Dallas strong defense that each game to date has only allowed some 232 yards passing. In the 1st three weeks Dallas has only allowed 3 TD’s from the opponents passing games.
The Saints surely can get their offense going, but the defense comes to question as presently they are 5th allowing the most yards offensive per game at 398, and 3rd allowing passing TD’s at 6, and then 9th with the most rushing TD’s allowed to date at 3 TD’s.
Defensively the Saints CB Browner struggled in Week 3 as he gave up completions on deep passes some 2 times in the game from QB C. Newton to receiver G. Olsen for some 53 yards and a TD, and to T. Ginn Jr. for 56 yards and a TD. In the ultimate 6 home games the Saints have lost those 6 consecutively at home.
The prediction is that the Cowboys will start strong again in this game, but will not slow down and to on to beat the Saints as the New Orleans lose another home game.