Week 14 Game Recap: New Orleans Saints 42, Dallas Cowboys 17

What you need to know

New Orleans Saints

The New Orleans Saints completely dominated the Dallas Cowboys and put themselves in position for a first round playoff bye for the first time in team history. Head coach Sean Payton made a strong statement in his first game against his old boss, Bill Parcells. He had an outstanding game plan that was executed to perfection, including trick plays and utilization of players most never even hear about.

Quarterback Drew Brees tied a career-high with five touchdown passes, and was generally unstoppable in completing 68.4% of his passes to ten different receivers. Brees could do no wrong, as really made no mistakes and make several impressive throws. He worked in players that hadn’t seen much work so far this year, throwing two short touchdowns to fullback Mike Karney, one to tight end Jamal Jones, as well as scores to Devery Henderson and Reggie Bush. Brees had a phenomenal game.

The running game performed well, led by workhorse back Deuce McAllister, who finished with 111 yards on 21 carries. Reggie Bush continued to show his amazing skill set and led the team in total yards (162). He touchdown catch was highlight reel worthy, as he took a short pass from Brees and used his blockers as well as his speed and incredible cut back ability to make all defenders around him miss. Bush appears to be coming into his own. Fullback Mike Karney added a third touchdown on the ground, for by far his best game as a pro.

Wide Receiver Marques Colston made his first start since missing two games with a sprained ankle. He played well, although was limited, mostly catching shorter passes for minimal gains. Devery Henderson was once again a deep threat, as he caught a 42 yard touchdown in the third quarter that required an impressive catch.

With the potent offense having their way with Dallas, the Saints’ defense nearly needed to be adequate, and they were. They sacked and intercepted Tony Romo twice, and should’ve picked him a third time but the ball went through Fred Thomas’ hands and fell to Terrell Owens for a touchdown. After giving up an early long touchdown run to Julius Jones, the Saints’ defense effectively shut down the Dallas offense, only allowing the aforementioned Owens touchdown. It was an impressive performance by the Saints in Dallas. They sent a message to the rest of the league that they are definitely Super Bowl contenders.

Dallas Cowboys

Dallas came into this game thinking they could beat the Saints and put a tighter grip on the second seed in the NFC. After starting strong, they got completely whipped by a faster, more aggressive, and better-coached Saints’ squad. Tony Romo had his worst game since taking over the reigns as the Cowboys’ quarterback, and the defense got torched for six touchdowns, including five through the air.

Romo did managed one touchdown to Terrell Owens, but even that pass should’ve been intercepted. Terry Glenn had an excellent game, leading the team in targets, receptions, and yardage. His 150 yards were a season high. Owens and Witten were Romo’s other favored targets.

Julius Jones got off to a hot start, running for a 77 yard touchdown on his first touch of the game. He only managed 39 yards the rest of the way though Marion Barber III was practically a no-show for the game, earning negative one yards on two carries. It was his worst, and most disappointing, performance of the year.

The Dallas defense was absolutely torched by Drew Brees and the Saints offense. They gave up six scores to four different Saints’ players. They forced no turnovers and only sacked Brees once. They gave up 543 total yards and 42 points, and were completely dominated. This was a stinging loss that the Cowboys won’t soon forget.

What you ought to know

QB Drew Brees, Pass: 26 - 38 - 384 - 5 TD / 0 INT, Rush: 5 - -6 - 0

Brees had a phenomenal game. He set a career high with five touchdown passes. Brees threw the ball with confidence and could seemingly make no mistakes. He distributed the ball to ten different receivers, connecting with fullback Mike Karney (two), running back Reggie Bush, wide receiver Devery Henderson, and tight end Jamal Jones for touchdowns. Brees completed 68.4% of his passes while leading his team to a crushing defeat of the Cowboys. His favorite targets were Bush and wide receiver Marques Colston. Brees went over the 4,000 yard passing mark for the season, his first time ever accomplishing that feat.

RB Deuce McAllister, Rush: 21 - 111 - 0, Rec: 3 - 15 - 0 (3 targets)

McAllister was the Saints’ workhorse back, rushing the ball 21 times and going over the century mark in the fourth quarter. He was particularly strong on the Saints’ last drive of the game, when they consumed most of the fourth quarter clock. McAllister also caught all three balls thrown his way.

RB Reggie Bush, Rush: 6 - 37 - 0, Rec: 6 - 125 - 1 (9 targets)

Bush only had six rushes but his nine targets led the team. He continues to flash the skill set that made his one of the most coveted prospects in recent memory. Bush led the Saints with six catches and 125 yards. His 61 yard touchdown catch was a thing of beauty, as he followed his blockers and used his phenomenal speed and cut back ability to make all the nearby defenders miss. It was a play sure to be shown on all the highlight reels. Bush led all Saints’ players with 162 total yards.

RB Mike Karney, Rush: 3 - 14 - 1, Rec: 5 - 39 - 2 (5 targets)

Karney came out of nowhere to have the best game of his career in almost every meaningful category. He had three rushes for 14 yards and a score, as well as five catches (on only five targets) for 38 yards and two scores. It would be hard to predict another game like this anytime soon for the Saints’ fullback, but it will definitely be one to remember.

WR Marques Colston, Rec: 5 - 48 - 0 (7 targets)

Colson returned after missing two games with an ankle sprain, and while definitely limited, still was second on the team in targets. His five catches for 48 yards were good enough for second on the team.

WR Devery Henderson, Rush: 1 - 3 - 0, Rec: 2 - 92 - 1 (4 targets)

Henderson’s targets came in the second and third quarters. His yardage all came in the third on two big plays, a 50 yard catch followed by a 42 yard catch for a touchdown.

WR Terrance Copper, Rec: 1 - 8 - 0 (2 targets)

Copper only caught one pass for eight yards, but his other target was in the end zone.

WR Jamal Jones, Rec: 1 - 27 - 1 (2 targets)

Jones scored the first touchdown of his career, on a 27 yard strike from Brees near the end of the second quarter. He was targeted the play before the score, as well, but the play was reviewed and it was judged that he dropped the ball after it was originally ruled a catch.

TE Mark Campbell, Rec: 1 - 14 - 0 (2 targets)

Both of Campbell’s targets came in the first quarter. He dropped the first but caught the second for a 14 yard gain.

TE Billy Miller, Rec: 1 - 12 - 0 (4 targets)

Miller only caught one of his four looks.

TE John Owens, Rec: 1 - 4 - 0 (1 targets)

Owens had his first target and reception of the season.

PK John Carney 0 - 0 FG, 6 - 6 XP, 6 points

Carney was perfect on all six of his PATs.

NO Rush Defense

After giving up a 77 yard touchdown run on Julius Jones’ first run of the game, the Saints’ rush defense tightened up significantly. They only allowed 39 rushing yard the rest of the game. It appeared that the Cowboys could run on the Saints, but once the Saints’ lead grew, the Cowboys had to abandon the run to attempt to score quickly through the air.

NO Pass Defense

The Saints’ pass defense was good, limiting Tony Romo to 249 passing yards while both sacking and intercepting his twice. He did throw one touchdown, to Terrell Owens, but Fred Thomas should’ve intercepted it. The ball went through Thomas’ hands and right to Owens for an easy score. Thomas was wearing a cast on his hand, and it made the interception difficult.

QB Tony Romo, Pass: 16 - 33 - 249 - 1 TD / 2 INT, Rush: 4 - 1 - 0

Romo had an off game, completing less than half of his passes and throwing two interceptions. He did managed one touchdown to Terrell Owens, but even that pass should’ve been intercepted. Instead it went through the hands of the defender and fell to Owens like a gift. It was an easy touchdown after the missed interception. Romo didn’t seem comfortable all game, and made more mistakes than in his previous outings. He only completed 48.5% of his passes. Romo’s preferred targets were Glenn (13), Owens (nine), and tight end Jason Witten (seven).

RB Julius Jones, Rush: 10 - 116 - 1, Rec: 1 - 10 - 0 (1 targets)

Jones started the game strongly, rushing for a 77 yard touchdown on his first touch of the game. He only managed 39 yard the rest of the way, which was still good enough for his fourth 100 yard game of the season. He also added one catch for ten yards.

RB Marion Barber III, Rush: 2 - -1 - 0

After a string of excellent outings in recent weeks, Barber did nothing. He wasn’t used as much as usual, and finished with only two carries for a total of negative one yard. It was his lowest output of the year.

RB Lousaka Polite (1 targets)

Polite had one target at the beginning of the fourth quarter.

WR Terry Glenn, Rec: 8 - 150 - 0 (13 targets)

Glenn had an excellent game, finishing with season highs in targets, receptions, and receiving yards. He was the Cowboys’ most reliable receiver, finishing with 150 yards on his eight catches. He was the target on Romo’s first interception. Glenn was targeted in the end zone late in the second quarter, but the pass fell incomplete.

WR Terrell Owens, Rec: 3 - 56 - 1 (9 targets)

Owens had a sub par game despite his touchdown. He suffered a few drops and completely whiffed on a deep pass that he should’ve caught and ran in for a touchdown. After that play, the Cowboys’ fans started booing him for the poor effort and execution. The touchdown he did have should’ve been intercepted, but the ball went straight through the defender’s hands and fell into Owens’. He ran in easily for the score.

WR Patrick Crayton (2 targets)

Crayton’s two looks were dropped and well defended, respectively.

TE Jason Witten, Rec: 4 - 33 - 0 (7 targets)

Witten was the third most targeted option in the passing game. He was targeted a few times in the end zone but no points came of them. Witten was the target on Romo’s second interception.

PK Martin Gramatica 1 - 2 FG, 2 - 2 XP, 5 points

Gramatica made a 24 yard field goal but missed from 43. He made both of his PATs.

DAL Rush Defense

The Cowboys’ rush defense gave up 159 total yards, including 111 to Deuce McAllister. Saints’ fullback Mike Karney was the only rusher allowed to score. The Saints preferred to pass, but they were also very effective with the run.

DAL Pass Defense

The Cowboys’ pass defense was decimated to the tune of 384 yards and five touchdowns. They allowed Brees to complete 68.4% of his passes, and they forced no turnovers. The only sack they managed was by DeMarcus Ware. The gave up scores to Reggie Bush, Devery Henderson, Jamal Jones, and two to fullback Mike Karney. It was an outing the Cowboys’ pass defense would soon like to forget.