Cowboys 27 vs. 17 Saints summary: stats, scores and highlights | NFL

Dan Quinn bringing the energy post game.

CeeDee and Michael Irvin, WR to WR.

Cowboys overcame a COVID outbreak throughout the playoffs. The Dallas Cowboys beat the New Orleans Saints to stop the to game losing streak.  Dallas's defense had four interceptions in the 27-17 win on Thursday night.

Both teams sturggling coming into Thursday

Both teams came into Thursday’s game not just banged up, but on the heels of losing streaks. The Cowboys had lost two straight and three of their last four.

The Saints had lost four straight, which was the longest active losing streak in the league.

Dallas was hit hard by COVID over the week. The Cowboys were without their head coach and five other assistant coaches for the contest against the Saints. While there headlines coming into the game were all about McCarthy, the good news came when Dak Prescott found out he was getting CeeDee Lamb and Amari Cooper.

Hill takes the stage

The Saints entrusted Taysom Hill to take the reins at quarterback after Trevor Siemian was unable to win any of the last four games. It was a season debut to forget for Hill who was picked four times, three of those coming in the final six and a half minutes of the game.

New Orleans struggled to move the ball on the Cowboys defense all night. Despite their difficulties they were still in the game late on, but a pick six by Carlos Watkins on a screen pass with less than three minutes to go put the game out of reach.

Quinn takes care of buisness as fill-in coach

Defensive coordinator Dan Quinn stepped in as the fill in coach in McCarthy’s absence, and called a masterpiece of a game. They gave up a cheap touchdown late on when the game was all but over, but Dallas dominated the Saints offense.

There was a time in the second half when New Orleans started running the ball with Hill and the was the best they looked on the offensive side of the ball all night.

Dak Prescott and the Dallas offense didn’t look spectacular, as they continue to search for that pre bye week form in which they were the top offensive unit in the league. Prescott threw for 238 yards and tossed the opening touchdown of the game.  

The Dallas run game carried the rest of the load, piling up 146 yards including a 56 yard Tony Pollard run go stretch the lead to 20-10.

New Orleans on outside of playoff race looking in

Hill would then go on to throw three of his four interceptions after the Pollar run, including the Watkins pick six which sealed the game, bringing and end of the Cowboys losing skid.

The Saints dropped their fifth straight for the first time in the Sean Payton era, and their playoff hopes are quickly dwindling.

Watkns with the pick six to put the game on ice.

Chech out the run by Hill! He was forced into running the ball more after his finger inury.

Pollard bursts a run for 57 to take the lead to double digits

Lil Jordan taking it 24 yards to tie things up

Gallup with the opening score of the game

COWBOYS WIN!!!

The Cowboys take a knee and that will do it! The Cowboys beat the Saints to snap their losing streak, while the Saints slump reaches a fifth straight game.

The Cowboys recovered the onside kick and all Dallas needs to do is wind down the clock seeing the Saints don't have any timeouts.

The big boy Watkins with the pick six!!

Lamb is stuck before the marker by Williams to stop the Cowboys on a three and out.

The Saints take over at the NO 13 with under 3:30. Hill and the Saints need points in a hurry.

INTERCEPTION COWBOYS!!!

Hill is picked, and it's non other than Diggs. His ninth interception of the year, and that one might be worth a win here tonight.

4:37 to go in the fourth.

Prescott with two incompletions, and the Cowboys go three and out. Not only did they stop the clock, but give the ball right back to the Saints.

It's true that Dallas hasn't been able to run the ball today, which will make it hard for them to close out this game. That possession took just a minute and four seconds off the clock. Under 5 to go in the game.

INTERCEPTION COWBOYS!!!

After the 4th down conversion, Hill's first down pass is intercepted after Lewis got a piece of Hill's hand to take some steam off the ball and it lands in the hands of Kazee.

On 4th and 7 Hill hits Harris for a 12 yard gain. 1st and 10 from the DAL 32.

A quick review proves that Hill's hand was moving forward, so that will be ruled an incomplete pass instead of a fumble. Big break for the Saints.

Hill was stripped on his wind up, and the Cowboys recover, but this is going to be worth another look. It seemed like his arm was going forward before the ball was knocked out of his hand

INTERCEPTION SAINTS!!!

Prescott is picked by Lattimore!! Dak was looking for Lamb, but he was late on the throw. Lattimore returns it for 15 yards to the DAL 46.

Prescott is picked by Lattimore!! Dak was looking for Lamb, but he was late on the throw. Lattimore returns it for 15 yards to the DAL 46.

The Cowboys force the Saints into a 3 and out, and the Cowboys will take over from their 32 after Lamb returns it 11 yards.

Pollard on the 57 yard touchdown burst to stretch the lead.

DAL advanced into NO territory, but couldn't do much more after. The Saints will take over from their 13 after the punt.

There have been a couple times tonight where Dallas was in a postion on the field with a fourth and short where they have opted to punt. I'm not used to seeing that these days. In today's NFL you see coaches go for that more often than not.

Dak to Lamb over the middle and the Cowboys hurry up the field before the Saints can take a look at the replay. There was a question about him catching the ball, and on the replay it didn't look like he controlled the catch.

Big gainer of 25 for Lamb

DAL wil take over from their own 4 yard line a minute into the fourth quarter.

Hill tries the play acton, but Parsons was waiting for him and takes him down in the back field for a loss of 13 yards which takes them out of FG range.

Punt coming after a big defensive play by Parsons.

We are heading to the fourth quarter and the Saints are driving. They'll have it from the DAL 26 after the quarter change.

Again it's Hill taking control on the QB keeper. He picks up 6 yards and move the chains yet again.

He's got 9 carries for 87 yards.

Leaping and spinning! It's Hill picking up the two yards on 3rd and short and then some. Hill takes it for 23 yards on the ground

The Cowboys go 71 yards on 4 plays in just over a minute.

TOUCHDOWN COWBOYS!!!

What was I saying about the non existent run game for the Cowboys???

Pollard shuts me up and races past the Saints on a sweep to the left that he takes 58 yards to the house.

Cowboys lead 20-10 on the longest run of Dallas' season.

There's the opening first down for the Cowboys. Prescott hits Lamb for 13 yards.

The Dallas run game has been non existent. Elliott came in to the game with a banged up knee, and it has shown.

The penalty killed the drive and New Orleans goes 3 and out.

Cowboys get the ball back after two 3 and outs to start the second half.

Hill completes his first pass of the second half, but it's coming back on a questionable blindside block penalty and the Saints are backed up to 1st and 21 from the 10.

The Cowboys go three and out once again after Prescott's pass to Pollard is incomplete.

Hill had the Saints moving with his QB keepers, but once he started to throw, the Saints drive slowed.

FIELD GOAL SAINTS!!!

So a great drive is stopped in it's tracks after a couple of incompletions from Hill.

Maher just sneaks it inside the left goal post for a 42 yard field goal.

Hill had Smith wide open for what would have been a touchdown, but Hill left the throw short, and maybe he is feeling the affects of that bandaged middle finger.

Back to Hill again after the first down pick up, and Hill gets 8. He does have his middle finger bandaged, and maybe that's why the Saints are looking for Hill to run a bit more

Hill picks up another first down, this time on a short run on 3rd and 2.

For the second time we see Hill using his legs. He escapes the rush, gets out of the pocket and burns up field for a 24 yard gain. NO are in DAL territory.

Dan Quinn came out of half and told the side line reporter that the Cowboys needed to make something in this first drive, that's why they differed after wiinning the coin flip.

Well, they go three and out and the Saint get the ball back after just a minute and a half.

We are underway in the second half with the Dallas Cowboys getting the ball first.

Hill to Humphrey to tie up the game before the two Cowboys field goals.

Gallup with the first score of the game.

Dak is 19/24 for 177 yards and a touchdown, while Hill is 12/21 for 144 yards, one TD and one INT

The Saints have 179 yards with 144 yards in the air, and 35 yards on the ground.

The Cowboys have a total of 221 yards, 170 in the air, and 51 on the ground.

FIELD GOAL COWBOYS!!!

The Cowboys will settle for a field goal to end the half, which is not a terrible result after starting the drive from their own 5.

Zuerlein hits the 34 yard field goal to end the half and the Cowboys go into the break up by six points.

The banged up Saints are hanging in there.

Lamb just made a sick one handed catch in the back of the endzone but he was well out of bounds. There was a holding call as well which will back the Boys up to the 17 yard line with 10 seconds left.

Prescott hits Schultz for 10 yards and the Cowboys have 1st and Goal from the 6

Adebo flagged for the defensive PI, which will move the Cowboys to the NO 31 with a half minute left.

Prescott hits Lamb over the middle for a gain of 20 on 3rd and 5. That move the chains, keeps the drive alive and closes the Saints hopes of getting a score before the half.

Gallup gives the Cowboys some breathing room after startng the drive off the pick from their own 9. 17 yard pick up to take us to the Two Minute Warning with the Cowboys up 10-7

INTERCEPTION COWBOYS!!!

Hill is intercepted by Kearse!!! If it stands that's a hell of a play by the saftey!.
Hill threw deep into traffic, not for the first time today, and this time he gets picked off.

The Saints go back to the screen game and hit Vannett for a big chuck of 30 yards.

Saints are at the DAL 26.

Hill is starting show some poise in the pocket. He hits Smith, who was covered by Diggs, for a 9 yard gain to move the chains on third down.

Ingram just busted a run up the middle for 25 yards, but Vannett was flagged for a hold that will erase the run.

Prescott has been under pressure a good bit over the course of the first half.

The beat up Saints are hanging in there.

Prescott taken down in the back field by Williams on the blitz and that will bring up 4th down and a punt for the Cowboys.

Schultz stayed down injured after Elliott's 3 yard run on 2nd and 10. He got up and jogged off the field.

Saints go three and out, and they Hill was lucky not to be intercepted by Diggs who had it in his hands. It would have been his 9th pick of the season.

Hill to Humphrey for the 15 yard touchdown pass to tie up the game.

FIELD GOAL COWBOYS!!!

Gallup stopped short of the third down after the WR screen on third and long.

Zuerline drills the 55 yard field goal to give the lead back to Dallas with 9:04 to go in the second quarter.

Dallas back in New Orleans territory after a 10 yard pitch and catch from Dak to Turner.

With Cooper and Lamb back, the other Dallas WRs will have a little more room to operate.

Lamb with another big gainer, and it looks like Dak is loving having his top two receivers back in action. This time Cee Dee gets 21.

7 play 75 yard drive for the Saints to tie up the game.

Hill showing the legs for the first time tonight, and he picks up a first down with a nine yard carry keeping the drive alive on 3rd down.

The Saints are in Dallas territory for the second time. Can they get any more out of this drive than they did on their first drive that ended with a missed field goal?

Check out the toe tap from Gallup

The first quarter comes to a close. It was an ugly start for both side, but Dallas punched in the first touchdown of the game after a couple big pass plays.

There's the first big shot of the night for Hill. Johnson right down the seem for a 27 yard gain, but he was shaken up on the play.

The Cowboys go 6 plays and 80 yards in in 3:16

Lamlb breaks free after shaking Jenkins in the open field. Big big up of 33 yards. 1st and Goal from the 1.

Cooper say I'M BACK!!! Dak hits his favorite receiver over the middle for a big gainer of 41 yards. 1st and 10 from the NO 36.

Hill hit Armstrong on the follow through of his last throw and went right to the blue tent to get his throwing hand evaluated.

Hill goes deep on second down to Smith, and Brown with a great bit of coverage. The Saints have to be careful. Hill has thrown some risky passes looking deep to his receivers. Dallas' defense is to good to be throwing into traffic.

The Saints go three and out so far both offenses are struggling to move the ball

Dak had Lamb on the roll out but left the pass behind his receiver. The Saints take possession after the turn over on down.

Great tackle by Williams to tackle Pollard in the flat on third down and short to force a fourth down which the Cowboys will go for.

Dallas get their opening first down of the night, after a 9 yard pass from Dak to Brown and then a three yard run from Elliott.

The Cowboys are now in Saints territory.

Dallas has been in a light hurry up since the start of the game.

Hill goes deep on 3rd and 8 from the DAL 38, and can't connect with Callaway.

The 56 yard FG attempt is pushed wide right by Maher.
Dallas will take over from their own 38.

Hill started 4/4 for the Saint, but for a total of 10 yards. His first incompletion comes on a pass down field to Stills, but then responds with a pass to Humphries good for 16 yards after the roll out to the left side.

I just checked, and I can confirm, there had not been a single punt return for a touchdown all year.

Is it just me or have there been considerably less punt returns for a touchdown this season? Just a senation I get. Of all the games I have covered and all the games I have seen this year, I can't recall a single one.

The Cowboys go three and out on their first possession after a couple of incomplete passes from Dak and an Elliott run for no gain

Dallas will take over from their 23 yard line after a 7 yard return from Lamb.

Hill tries a screen pass to Montgomery, but the Cowboys read it on third and long and the Saints lose six on the play. Punt coming up after a short drive for New Orleans.

Hill's second pass of the game was an adventure. He rolls right throws across his body and almost gets it picked off but he hits Vannett for 12 yards and the game's first first down

We are underway from the Superdome and Taysom Hill and the Saints will take over on offense to open the game

Quinn on the sideline

Dan Quinn will step in for McCarthy. He was the Falcons coach for five years. He will not just be calling play for the Cowboys, he will be the man in charge on the sidelines.

Prediction:

The Cowboys secondary will pick Hill apart in his first start of the season. Watch out for Trevon Diggs who has just 1 interception in the last 5 game, after starting the season with seven interceptions in the first six game.

Dak lead the Boys to a 31-17 win

We are less than 10 minutes away from kick off from New Orleans.

According to Ceasars Sportsbook, the Cowboys are 6.5 point road favorites, with the Over/Under set at 45.5.

Hill under center for Saints

Taysom Hill is set to make his first start under center for the Saints.

He has thrown four passes this year, but has 1,103 yards in his carrer with four touchdowns and four interceptions.

Saints had their COVID struggles

The Cowboys aren't the only team whose coaching staff has been hit with a COVID outbreak. The Saints went through the same thing in the middle of September when seven assistants missed the Panthers game.

The Saints went on to lose that game 26-7. The Cowboys will be hoping they won't have the same struggles with out a large portion of thier play callers.

Michael Irvin is ready for the Cowboys to stop losing

There's always a party in New Orleans, Especially when there is football on Thursday night

Dallas are looking like they are ready to put the losing skid to an end.

Dallas drip

Cooper comes back

Amari Cooper has been cleared to return to action for the Cowboys after COVID kept him out of the last two games.

No short week for either side

This will be the Both teams played last Thursday on Thanksgiving, Both teams lost and both teams will be looking to kick the Turkey Day hangover.

Dallas is down but not out

The Cowboys are going through a rough patch of their own at the moment. They have lost two in a row, and three of their last four, including last week’s overtime loss to the Raiders. The Cowboys were once one of the favorites for the home field in the NFC, but with the recent rise of the Washington Football Team it looks like they might have a battle for top team in the East.

Defensive deficiencies

The Saints defense has been one of the leagues defensive units since Jameis Winston tore his ACL. In their four game losing streak New Orleans are giving up more than 30 points a game, and in their last two games they have allowed a total of 71 points.

Slumping Saints

The New Orleans Saints have gone ice cold since beating the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. After a 5-2 start to the season, they have dropped four games in a row which is the longest active streak in the NFL. Even longer than the winless Detroit Lions. Jameis Winston going down for the rest of the year has certainly played a role in New Orleans’ down fall, but the injury has seemed to have a trickle down effect on the rest of the team.

Cowboys without their coach

Head  Mike McCarthy tested positive for covid-19 on Monday, joining the five other assistant coaches on covid protocols; offensive line coach Joe Philbin, assistant offensive line coach Jeff Blasko, strength and conditioning coordinator Harold Nash and assistant strength and conditioning coach Kendall Smith will all be out this week.

Read the whole article here

Cowboys vs. Saints

Two teams who are sliding down the NFC standings kick off Week 13 of the NFL season. The 5-6 New Orleans Saints will host the 7-4 Dallas Cowboys and AS English will have you covered with live scores, stats, updates and analysis of tonight’s battle from he Caesar’s Superdome.