Post by cowboymaniac on Dec 19, 2009 22:41:16 GMT -7
Big Win In Big Easy
Cowboys Hang On, Defeat Saints 24-17
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Kurt Daniels - Email
DallasCowboysStar.com
December 19, 2009 10:57 PM Change Font Size A A A A
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Was anyone expecting this? With the Cowboys given little if any chance of winning going into their showdown in New Orleans on Saturday night, the team dominated early and then desperately held on late to defeat the previously unbeaten Saints, 24-17.
The Cowboys could do no wrong through the first three quarters, running up a 21-point lead. But they nearly gave it away in the final frame, the Saints scoring two quick touchdowns to pull to within seven points.
And when Nick Folk missed a chip-shot, 24-yard field goal with just over two minutes remaining, Dallas had to frantically stop a final New Orleans drive.
The hero for the Cowboys? How about DeMarcus Ware, who because of his scary neck injury the week before wasn't sure he'd even play. He didn't practice all week, but was available for this game, responding with two sacks and two forced fumbles, including one on the Saints final drive, Dallas recovering the fumble to secure the victory.
Quarterback Tony Romo led the Cowboys charge, throwing for 312 yards with one touchdown and no interceptions. Miles Austin posted 139 receiving yards off of seven catches, the tight end combination of Jason Witten and John Phillips recording 44 and 40 receiving yards, respectively. On the ground, Dallas gained 145 yards, Marion Barber picking up 62 rushing yards and two touchdowns with Felix Jones adding 58 yards.
After David Buehler kicked the ball deep into the end zone, New Orleans got started on their own 20 with a short pass from quarterback Drew Brees to running back Reggie Bush for one yard. Ware did not start for the Cowboys, playing primarily on passing downs.
On second down, Brees threw short over the middle to tight end David Thomas for two yards, then went back to Thomas again, but came up short of the markers. Punter Thomas Morstead came on and booted a 57-yarder to Patrick Crayton, who brought it back seven yards to get Dallas started on their own 21.
Barber went off left guard for nine yards, which was followed by fellow running back Jones bursting up the middle for 11 more and a first down. A short attempt from Romo to Witten fell incomplete, but the quarterback then tossed a swing pass out to Jones on the left, who skipped up the sidelines for 10 yards and a first down at the Saints' 49.
And then they hit it big. Austin took off on a fly down the left sideline, Romo hitting him in stride for a 49-yard touchdown. Folk was good on the extra point, and just like that, the Cowboys had an early 7-0 lead.
Buehler's kickoff was taken by Lynell Hamilton at his own six and returned 15 yards to the New Orleans 29. Running back Pierre Thomas went off right guard for five yards, then tried the other side but got just two more. On third and three, Brees tried to hook up with Bush, but under pressure his pass fell incomplete. Forced to punt again, Morstead's 52-yard boot was collected by Crayton at the 12, who then found the right sideline for a nice 28-yard runback and a first down at the Dallas 40.
Barber took a pitch off left tackle for four yards, then went up the middle for a yard. On third and five, Romo completed a pass to receiver Roy Williams who turned up field for 14 yards and a first down at the Saints' 41. Lofting a quick out to Austin on the left sideline picked up 26 yards and gave the visitors a first down at the New Orleans 15.
A draw to Barber earned four yards with a screen to Austin on the right side adding another four. On third and two, running back Tashard Choice took the ball straight up the middle for four yards and a first and goal at the three. Barber then capped the drive, diving into the end zone for the six points. Folk did his duty and Dallas had a 14-0 lead less than 10 minutes into the game.
Starting at their 20 after another Buehler touchback, the New Orleans offense finally found some life as Bush broke through the middle, then cut to the outside for a 29-yard rush and a first down at the Saints 49.
After running back Mike Bell was stopped for no gain, linebacker Anthony Spencer came untouched around the left end, sacking Brees for a 10-yard loss. On third 20, Brees tried to go deep down the middle to wideout Devery Henderson, but Alan Ball was there stride for stride, the pass incomplete. Punting again, Morstead got a favorable bounce, New Orleans downing the ball at the Dallas eight.
A delayed handoff to Jones managed a yard, with Romo then standing tall in the pocket and connecting over the middle with Witten for 21 yards and a first down at the Cowboys' 30.
Scrambling under pressure, Romo evaded one tackler, but then nearly threw an interception, the pass incomplete. Jones went up the middle for two yards, which was followed by Romo throwing down the middle for Crayton, who made a diving catch for 11 yards and a first down at Cowboys' 43. Dallas then called their first timeout.
A rollout and dump-off to Witten picked up seven yards as the first quarter came to a close. Jones tried to go off right guard, but lost a yard, Romo then failing to connect with a slanting Williams. On fourth and four at the New Orleans 37, the Cowboys were lining up to go for it when Romo called the team's second timeout.
Sticking with their original plan, Romo tried to loft one to Williams on the right sideline, the pass incomplete. But the Saints were called for illegal contact, which granted the Cowboys five yards and an automatic first down.
Now at the New Orleans 32, Romo couldn't get out of trouble this time and was sacked for a six-yard loss. A draw play to Barber earned four of those back, but on third down Romo was sacked again, this time losing four. Mat McBriar came on for his first punt, Bush calling for the fair catch at his own nine.
Pierre Thomas took a pass from Brees for nine yards, then slammed up the middle for five and a first down at the 23. An encroachment penalty on nose guard Jay Ratliff tacked on five more, receiver Marques Colston then unable to hang on to a Brees offering. A catch by David Thomas went for six yards and a first down at the New Orleans 34.
Up the middle went Pierre Thomas for four yards, with Brees then finding receiver Robert Meachem on the right sideline for seven yards and another first down. Thomas rushed for four yards, Brees then connecting with an open Colston who sprinted up field for a big 35-yard completion and a first down at the Dallas 17.
Brees took a shot into the end zone, but Colston fell down, the pass incomplete. Pierre Thomas then managed two yards with Brees throwing behind David Thomas incomplete on third down. Garrett Hartley got the call for a 34-yard field goal, his attempt good to get the home team on the board, 14-3.
Jones grabbed the kickoff at the goal line and worked his way out to the Dallas 17. Witten and Romo couldn't connect, a holding penalty marching the Cowboys backwards anyway, the Cowboys now on their own nine. A delayed handoff to Jones up the middle picked up 17, Jones then getting the call again, but unable to get around the left end, earning just one. On third and one, Barber pushed the pack forward two yards for the first down.
After Romo was sacked for a loss of eight, New Orleans called their first timeout. Romo was going to hand off to Barber on another delay, but Barber wasn't expecting it, so the quarterback tucked the ball in and ran himself, picking up 10. Romo then tried to go deep down the right sideline to Austin, but threw high incomplete. McBriar's 53-yard punt was brought back by Bush to the 20, but an illegal block in the back penalty reversed the Saints to their 10.
Brees quickly threw over the middle to Colston for 12 yards, but then misfired a pass that should have been picked off by cornerback Mike Jenkins. A false start penalized the Saints five yards, but Bush caught a pass over the middle for 16 yards and a first down at the New Orleans 33. Bush pulled up and immediately limped to the sidelines and to the bench injured.
A pass to David Thomas over the middle went for 11, Brees then hitting Meachem for 15 yards and a first down at the Dallas 41 as the two-minute warning sounded. After the break, Brees tried to go deep to Henderson, but he under-threw his target, Jenkins leaping in front for his fifth interception of the year.
Taking over at their own four, Barber went around the right end for seven yards, then danced to the left for three yards and the first down. New Orleans called their second timeout. A pass to Witten was broken up, with Barber rushing up the middle for seven yards, the Saints calling their third timeout.
On third and three, Romo threw too low to Austin on a slant, the pass incomplete. McBriar's49-yard punt was corralled by Lance Moore, who was hit immediately by Orlando Scandrick at the New Orleans 30.
With 1:22 remaining in the half, David Thomas caught a Brees pass, although a holding penalty negated the play and pushed them back 10 yards. The quarterback went underneath to Meachem for seven yards, but on the next play, Ware came around Brees' left end and sacked him, stripping the ball in the process, which was recovered by Spencer at the Saints' 24.
Now with 45 seconds left, Romo tried to go deep to Austin, but the pass was incomplete. They then set up a screen for Barber on the right side, the back earning 11 yards for a first down at the New Orleans 13.
The clock reading 31 seconds, Romo tried a short screen to Austin, managing only two yards, Dallas then calling their third and final timeout. With 17 seconds remaining, Romo got rid of it as he was falling, overthrowing Austin in the end zone, incomplete. On third and eight, Romo and Crayton couldn't connect, but Flozell Adams was called for a facemask, which cost the Cowboys 15 yards. Folk came on for a 44-yard field goal with eight seconds on the clock. His attempt went right down the middle, Dallas going back up by two touchdowns, 17-3.
Buehler squibbed one down the field, Hamilton falling on it at his 36-yard line. Brees then took a knee, the half complete.
Jones got the final 30 minutes underway with a return out to the Dallas 26. Romo couldn't connect with Austin on first down, but Jones picked up five yards off left tackle on second down. Romo then threw a pass over the middle to Austin for 13 yards.
After Jones went around the right end for nine yards, Barber followed up with a four-yard gain for a first down at the New Orleans 43. A 17-yard pass to rookie receiver Kevin Ogletree on the right sideline was followed with Jones earning two around the left end. Romo then hit tight end John Phillips for nine yards and a first down at the Saints' 15.
Barber picked up five off right guard, Romo then checking down underneath to Witten for four. Barber powered his way up the middle for four yards and a first and goal at the New Orleans two.
Romo threw high to an open Austin in the end zone, the receiver coming down out of bounds. Barber then bounced outside and around the left end for his second touchdown of the night. Folk was good, the score now 24-3.
Courtney Roby took the kick from three yards deep and found an opening down the left sideline, dashing 67 yards before being pushed out of bounds at the Dallas 36. Brees avoided the sack and threw into the end zone to Henderson. The receiver broke back and was open, but just dropped the ball, incomplete. Bell was stopped for no gain on a rush off left tackle, with Spencer then getting to Brees again for the sack. But a hands to the face penalty on Scandrick resulted in five yards and an automatic first down.
No worries, Spencer broke around the end and sacked him again, a loss of eight. The Saints tried to set up a screen, but the Cowboys covered it and Brees had to throw the ball away. On third and 18, Brees wanted to hit Henderson on the left sideline, but Jenkins was there to break it up. Morstead's punt bounced past his coverage and into the end zone, the Cowboys starting on their 20.
Jones took a delayed handoff for 11 yards, but a holding penalty wiped out that gain and moved Dallas back to the 10. A quick out to Phillips earned back eight, Romo then connecting with Austin over the middle, the receiver breaking for the markers, earning 13 yards and a first down at the Cowboys' 31.
A run up the middle by Jones totaled two yards, which was followed by Witten hauling in a pass for three yards. On third and five, Romo ducked under the sack, then scrambled for seven yards and the first down.
Romo and Witten couldn't connect, with Barber losing a yard. On third and 11, Witten grabbed a pass for nine yards, McBriar getting the call to punt. His effort bounced into the end zone, New Orleans starting at the 20.
Brees threw over the middle to Henderson for nine yards, then went to Meachem for 11 and a first down at the Saints' 40 as the third quarter came to an end. A pass to David Thomas earned 12, but then another attempt to Thomas was knocked away and nearly intercepted.
Colston brought in a catch for 15 yards and a first down at the Dallas 32. A pass to Pierre Thomas earned six with David Thomas then taking his reception down the right sideline for 18 yards and a first and goal at the Cowboys' eight. Bell went off left guard for seven yards, then completed the drive himself with a run around the left end for the final yard. Hartley's kick was good, the score now 24-10.
Jones took the kickoff a yard deep in the end zone and waited for the opening before slipping through for a 41-yard return to the Dallas 40. A quick out to Ogletree on the left side earned six, but a 12-men in the huddle call took back five yards. A pitch to Jones got the five yards again, New Orleans calling their first timeout. On third and four, Romo went to Williams over the middle, but the receiver dropped the ball, McBriar forced to punt. His kick bounced back up field, resulting in just a 24-yard effort that was downed at the New Orleans 30.
Pierre Thomas took a screen pass and broke loose for a 29-yard gain to the Dallas 41. With plenty of time, Brees zipped one to David Thomas for 12 yards to the 29. After a short out to Colston earned three, Brees had to scramble but found daylight and gained nine yards for a first down at the Cowboys' 17.
Cornerback Terence Newman knocked away a pass to Henderson, although Colston took the next offering 10 yards for a first and goal at the seven. The drive was wrapped up with a short pass to Moore on the right side, who ran in untouched. Hartley's kick was good, the Saints narrowing the score to 24-17.
After the touchback, Romo and Co. got started on their own 20. The quarterback had to scramble after the pocket collapsed, gaining five yards, but Jones was stopped in the backfield, losing two. On third and seven, Romo had to burn his first timeout, then came back and hit Austin on a slant, who broke up the middle for a big 32-yard completion and a first down at the Saints' 45.
Rom scrambled out of the pocket, buying time before throwing to Phillips, the tight end rushing down the sideline 23 yards and a first down at the 22. A quick out to Hurd on the right side earned six, Barber then carrying up the middle for five yards and a first down at the New Orleans 11. The Saints called their second timeout.
Barber was dropped for a loss of one, New Orleans calling their third and final timeout. Jones went up the middle for four yards, then carried it again on the right side for three more. Dallas let the clock run down to 2:19 before calling their second timeout. On fourth and three, Folk came out for a 24-yard field goal and pushed it right, the ball clanking off the right goal post, no good, the score remaining 24-17.
Taking over at the 20-yard line with no timeouts, Brees' pass to Colston went incomplete. He then had his next attempt batted in the air at the line of scrimmage. Brees caught the ricochet, losing four yards on the play, the two-minute warning then sounding.
On third and 14, Brees was able to throw out to David Thomas, but Keith Brooking brought him down after a gain of four. On fourth and 10, Brees was nearly sacked again, but stepped up and hit Colston over the middle for 14 yards.
He went to Pierre Thomas over the middle for five yards, then threw incomplete to Moore on the left sideline. With 38 seconds left, Brees found Pierre Thomas again on the left sideline for six yards and a first down at the Saints 45.
Brees tried to go deep down the right sideline for Meachem, but the pass went incomplete. Now with 26 seconds remaining, Brees hit Henderson on the left sideline for 13 yards to the Dallas 42. Eighteen seconds were on the clock when Brees was hit by Spencer, but he was able to get rid of the ball, the pass incomplete. The play was reviewed by the booth to see if it was a fumble, but the decision was upheld.
But then with 12 seconds on the clock, Ware broke around the end and sacked Brees, stripping the ball from him again, Ratliff there to pounce on the fumble and secure the game for the Cowboys. Romo took one knee and the game was over.
The victory improved Dallas to 9-5 on the year, and put them in the driver's seat for at least a Wild Card spot in the playoffs. Home | Email | Print | Register for New Alerts | RSS
Cowboys Hang On, Defeat Saints 24-17
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Kurt Daniels - Email
DallasCowboysStar.com
December 19, 2009 10:57 PM Change Font Size A A A A
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Was anyone expecting this? With the Cowboys given little if any chance of winning going into their showdown in New Orleans on Saturday night, the team dominated early and then desperately held on late to defeat the previously unbeaten Saints, 24-17.
The Cowboys could do no wrong through the first three quarters, running up a 21-point lead. But they nearly gave it away in the final frame, the Saints scoring two quick touchdowns to pull to within seven points.
And when Nick Folk missed a chip-shot, 24-yard field goal with just over two minutes remaining, Dallas had to frantically stop a final New Orleans drive.
The hero for the Cowboys? How about DeMarcus Ware, who because of his scary neck injury the week before wasn't sure he'd even play. He didn't practice all week, but was available for this game, responding with two sacks and two forced fumbles, including one on the Saints final drive, Dallas recovering the fumble to secure the victory.
Quarterback Tony Romo led the Cowboys charge, throwing for 312 yards with one touchdown and no interceptions. Miles Austin posted 139 receiving yards off of seven catches, the tight end combination of Jason Witten and John Phillips recording 44 and 40 receiving yards, respectively. On the ground, Dallas gained 145 yards, Marion Barber picking up 62 rushing yards and two touchdowns with Felix Jones adding 58 yards.
After David Buehler kicked the ball deep into the end zone, New Orleans got started on their own 20 with a short pass from quarterback Drew Brees to running back Reggie Bush for one yard. Ware did not start for the Cowboys, playing primarily on passing downs.
On second down, Brees threw short over the middle to tight end David Thomas for two yards, then went back to Thomas again, but came up short of the markers. Punter Thomas Morstead came on and booted a 57-yarder to Patrick Crayton, who brought it back seven yards to get Dallas started on their own 21.
Barber went off left guard for nine yards, which was followed by fellow running back Jones bursting up the middle for 11 more and a first down. A short attempt from Romo to Witten fell incomplete, but the quarterback then tossed a swing pass out to Jones on the left, who skipped up the sidelines for 10 yards and a first down at the Saints' 49.
And then they hit it big. Austin took off on a fly down the left sideline, Romo hitting him in stride for a 49-yard touchdown. Folk was good on the extra point, and just like that, the Cowboys had an early 7-0 lead.
Buehler's kickoff was taken by Lynell Hamilton at his own six and returned 15 yards to the New Orleans 29. Running back Pierre Thomas went off right guard for five yards, then tried the other side but got just two more. On third and three, Brees tried to hook up with Bush, but under pressure his pass fell incomplete. Forced to punt again, Morstead's 52-yard boot was collected by Crayton at the 12, who then found the right sideline for a nice 28-yard runback and a first down at the Dallas 40.
Barber took a pitch off left tackle for four yards, then went up the middle for a yard. On third and five, Romo completed a pass to receiver Roy Williams who turned up field for 14 yards and a first down at the Saints' 41. Lofting a quick out to Austin on the left sideline picked up 26 yards and gave the visitors a first down at the New Orleans 15.
A draw to Barber earned four yards with a screen to Austin on the right side adding another four. On third and two, running back Tashard Choice took the ball straight up the middle for four yards and a first and goal at the three. Barber then capped the drive, diving into the end zone for the six points. Folk did his duty and Dallas had a 14-0 lead less than 10 minutes into the game.
Starting at their 20 after another Buehler touchback, the New Orleans offense finally found some life as Bush broke through the middle, then cut to the outside for a 29-yard rush and a first down at the Saints 49.
After running back Mike Bell was stopped for no gain, linebacker Anthony Spencer came untouched around the left end, sacking Brees for a 10-yard loss. On third 20, Brees tried to go deep down the middle to wideout Devery Henderson, but Alan Ball was there stride for stride, the pass incomplete. Punting again, Morstead got a favorable bounce, New Orleans downing the ball at the Dallas eight.
A delayed handoff to Jones managed a yard, with Romo then standing tall in the pocket and connecting over the middle with Witten for 21 yards and a first down at the Cowboys' 30.
Scrambling under pressure, Romo evaded one tackler, but then nearly threw an interception, the pass incomplete. Jones went up the middle for two yards, which was followed by Romo throwing down the middle for Crayton, who made a diving catch for 11 yards and a first down at Cowboys' 43. Dallas then called their first timeout.
A rollout and dump-off to Witten picked up seven yards as the first quarter came to a close. Jones tried to go off right guard, but lost a yard, Romo then failing to connect with a slanting Williams. On fourth and four at the New Orleans 37, the Cowboys were lining up to go for it when Romo called the team's second timeout.
Sticking with their original plan, Romo tried to loft one to Williams on the right sideline, the pass incomplete. But the Saints were called for illegal contact, which granted the Cowboys five yards and an automatic first down.
Now at the New Orleans 32, Romo couldn't get out of trouble this time and was sacked for a six-yard loss. A draw play to Barber earned four of those back, but on third down Romo was sacked again, this time losing four. Mat McBriar came on for his first punt, Bush calling for the fair catch at his own nine.
Pierre Thomas took a pass from Brees for nine yards, then slammed up the middle for five and a first down at the 23. An encroachment penalty on nose guard Jay Ratliff tacked on five more, receiver Marques Colston then unable to hang on to a Brees offering. A catch by David Thomas went for six yards and a first down at the New Orleans 34.
Up the middle went Pierre Thomas for four yards, with Brees then finding receiver Robert Meachem on the right sideline for seven yards and another first down. Thomas rushed for four yards, Brees then connecting with an open Colston who sprinted up field for a big 35-yard completion and a first down at the Dallas 17.
Brees took a shot into the end zone, but Colston fell down, the pass incomplete. Pierre Thomas then managed two yards with Brees throwing behind David Thomas incomplete on third down. Garrett Hartley got the call for a 34-yard field goal, his attempt good to get the home team on the board, 14-3.
Jones grabbed the kickoff at the goal line and worked his way out to the Dallas 17. Witten and Romo couldn't connect, a holding penalty marching the Cowboys backwards anyway, the Cowboys now on their own nine. A delayed handoff to Jones up the middle picked up 17, Jones then getting the call again, but unable to get around the left end, earning just one. On third and one, Barber pushed the pack forward two yards for the first down.
After Romo was sacked for a loss of eight, New Orleans called their first timeout. Romo was going to hand off to Barber on another delay, but Barber wasn't expecting it, so the quarterback tucked the ball in and ran himself, picking up 10. Romo then tried to go deep down the right sideline to Austin, but threw high incomplete. McBriar's 53-yard punt was brought back by Bush to the 20, but an illegal block in the back penalty reversed the Saints to their 10.
Brees quickly threw over the middle to Colston for 12 yards, but then misfired a pass that should have been picked off by cornerback Mike Jenkins. A false start penalized the Saints five yards, but Bush caught a pass over the middle for 16 yards and a first down at the New Orleans 33. Bush pulled up and immediately limped to the sidelines and to the bench injured.
A pass to David Thomas over the middle went for 11, Brees then hitting Meachem for 15 yards and a first down at the Dallas 41 as the two-minute warning sounded. After the break, Brees tried to go deep to Henderson, but he under-threw his target, Jenkins leaping in front for his fifth interception of the year.
Taking over at their own four, Barber went around the right end for seven yards, then danced to the left for three yards and the first down. New Orleans called their second timeout. A pass to Witten was broken up, with Barber rushing up the middle for seven yards, the Saints calling their third timeout.
On third and three, Romo threw too low to Austin on a slant, the pass incomplete. McBriar's49-yard punt was corralled by Lance Moore, who was hit immediately by Orlando Scandrick at the New Orleans 30.
With 1:22 remaining in the half, David Thomas caught a Brees pass, although a holding penalty negated the play and pushed them back 10 yards. The quarterback went underneath to Meachem for seven yards, but on the next play, Ware came around Brees' left end and sacked him, stripping the ball in the process, which was recovered by Spencer at the Saints' 24.
Now with 45 seconds left, Romo tried to go deep to Austin, but the pass was incomplete. They then set up a screen for Barber on the right side, the back earning 11 yards for a first down at the New Orleans 13.
The clock reading 31 seconds, Romo tried a short screen to Austin, managing only two yards, Dallas then calling their third and final timeout. With 17 seconds remaining, Romo got rid of it as he was falling, overthrowing Austin in the end zone, incomplete. On third and eight, Romo and Crayton couldn't connect, but Flozell Adams was called for a facemask, which cost the Cowboys 15 yards. Folk came on for a 44-yard field goal with eight seconds on the clock. His attempt went right down the middle, Dallas going back up by two touchdowns, 17-3.
Buehler squibbed one down the field, Hamilton falling on it at his 36-yard line. Brees then took a knee, the half complete.
Jones got the final 30 minutes underway with a return out to the Dallas 26. Romo couldn't connect with Austin on first down, but Jones picked up five yards off left tackle on second down. Romo then threw a pass over the middle to Austin for 13 yards.
After Jones went around the right end for nine yards, Barber followed up with a four-yard gain for a first down at the New Orleans 43. A 17-yard pass to rookie receiver Kevin Ogletree on the right sideline was followed with Jones earning two around the left end. Romo then hit tight end John Phillips for nine yards and a first down at the Saints' 15.
Barber picked up five off right guard, Romo then checking down underneath to Witten for four. Barber powered his way up the middle for four yards and a first and goal at the New Orleans two.
Romo threw high to an open Austin in the end zone, the receiver coming down out of bounds. Barber then bounced outside and around the left end for his second touchdown of the night. Folk was good, the score now 24-3.
Courtney Roby took the kick from three yards deep and found an opening down the left sideline, dashing 67 yards before being pushed out of bounds at the Dallas 36. Brees avoided the sack and threw into the end zone to Henderson. The receiver broke back and was open, but just dropped the ball, incomplete. Bell was stopped for no gain on a rush off left tackle, with Spencer then getting to Brees again for the sack. But a hands to the face penalty on Scandrick resulted in five yards and an automatic first down.
No worries, Spencer broke around the end and sacked him again, a loss of eight. The Saints tried to set up a screen, but the Cowboys covered it and Brees had to throw the ball away. On third and 18, Brees wanted to hit Henderson on the left sideline, but Jenkins was there to break it up. Morstead's punt bounced past his coverage and into the end zone, the Cowboys starting on their 20.
Jones took a delayed handoff for 11 yards, but a holding penalty wiped out that gain and moved Dallas back to the 10. A quick out to Phillips earned back eight, Romo then connecting with Austin over the middle, the receiver breaking for the markers, earning 13 yards and a first down at the Cowboys' 31.
A run up the middle by Jones totaled two yards, which was followed by Witten hauling in a pass for three yards. On third and five, Romo ducked under the sack, then scrambled for seven yards and the first down.
Romo and Witten couldn't connect, with Barber losing a yard. On third and 11, Witten grabbed a pass for nine yards, McBriar getting the call to punt. His effort bounced into the end zone, New Orleans starting at the 20.
Brees threw over the middle to Henderson for nine yards, then went to Meachem for 11 and a first down at the Saints' 40 as the third quarter came to an end. A pass to David Thomas earned 12, but then another attempt to Thomas was knocked away and nearly intercepted.
Colston brought in a catch for 15 yards and a first down at the Dallas 32. A pass to Pierre Thomas earned six with David Thomas then taking his reception down the right sideline for 18 yards and a first and goal at the Cowboys' eight. Bell went off left guard for seven yards, then completed the drive himself with a run around the left end for the final yard. Hartley's kick was good, the score now 24-10.
Jones took the kickoff a yard deep in the end zone and waited for the opening before slipping through for a 41-yard return to the Dallas 40. A quick out to Ogletree on the left side earned six, but a 12-men in the huddle call took back five yards. A pitch to Jones got the five yards again, New Orleans calling their first timeout. On third and four, Romo went to Williams over the middle, but the receiver dropped the ball, McBriar forced to punt. His kick bounced back up field, resulting in just a 24-yard effort that was downed at the New Orleans 30.
Pierre Thomas took a screen pass and broke loose for a 29-yard gain to the Dallas 41. With plenty of time, Brees zipped one to David Thomas for 12 yards to the 29. After a short out to Colston earned three, Brees had to scramble but found daylight and gained nine yards for a first down at the Cowboys' 17.
Cornerback Terence Newman knocked away a pass to Henderson, although Colston took the next offering 10 yards for a first and goal at the seven. The drive was wrapped up with a short pass to Moore on the right side, who ran in untouched. Hartley's kick was good, the Saints narrowing the score to 24-17.
After the touchback, Romo and Co. got started on their own 20. The quarterback had to scramble after the pocket collapsed, gaining five yards, but Jones was stopped in the backfield, losing two. On third and seven, Romo had to burn his first timeout, then came back and hit Austin on a slant, who broke up the middle for a big 32-yard completion and a first down at the Saints' 45.
Rom scrambled out of the pocket, buying time before throwing to Phillips, the tight end rushing down the sideline 23 yards and a first down at the 22. A quick out to Hurd on the right side earned six, Barber then carrying up the middle for five yards and a first down at the New Orleans 11. The Saints called their second timeout.
Barber was dropped for a loss of one, New Orleans calling their third and final timeout. Jones went up the middle for four yards, then carried it again on the right side for three more. Dallas let the clock run down to 2:19 before calling their second timeout. On fourth and three, Folk came out for a 24-yard field goal and pushed it right, the ball clanking off the right goal post, no good, the score remaining 24-17.
Taking over at the 20-yard line with no timeouts, Brees' pass to Colston went incomplete. He then had his next attempt batted in the air at the line of scrimmage. Brees caught the ricochet, losing four yards on the play, the two-minute warning then sounding.
On third and 14, Brees was able to throw out to David Thomas, but Keith Brooking brought him down after a gain of four. On fourth and 10, Brees was nearly sacked again, but stepped up and hit Colston over the middle for 14 yards.
He went to Pierre Thomas over the middle for five yards, then threw incomplete to Moore on the left sideline. With 38 seconds left, Brees found Pierre Thomas again on the left sideline for six yards and a first down at the Saints 45.
Brees tried to go deep down the right sideline for Meachem, but the pass went incomplete. Now with 26 seconds remaining, Brees hit Henderson on the left sideline for 13 yards to the Dallas 42. Eighteen seconds were on the clock when Brees was hit by Spencer, but he was able to get rid of the ball, the pass incomplete. The play was reviewed by the booth to see if it was a fumble, but the decision was upheld.
But then with 12 seconds on the clock, Ware broke around the end and sacked Brees, stripping the ball from him again, Ratliff there to pounce on the fumble and secure the game for the Cowboys. Romo took one knee and the game was over.
The victory improved Dallas to 9-5 on the year, and put them in the driver's seat for at least a Wild Card spot in the playoffs. Home | Email | Print | Register for New Alerts | RSS