Things didn’t start out on an ideal note for either offense, with the Dallas Cowboys and New Orleans Saints both stumbling out of the gate due to a mix of good defense and poor execution. It was Dak Prescott and Co. who drew first blood, though, on a drive in the first quarter that looked a lot like the usually prolific group the NFL has become accustomed to seeing from Dallas — big plays coming from both Amari Cooper and CeeDee Lamb (who both returned in Week 13) and capped off by a twisting touchdown catch by Michael Gallup.
Not to be outdone, Taysom Hill went back to work with the goal of making a case for himself as permanent starter for the Saints, and he got help from wideout Lil’Jordan Humphrey on a 24-yard touchdown to open the second quarter. But just when you thought it would become a barnburner, things cooled down offensively once again, and the Cowboys are currently nursing a six-point lead the Saints hope they can prevent from becoming anything more — especially considering Dallas will have the first offensive possession of the second half.
Hill and the Saints threatened to hit pay dirt for the second time in the first half but rookie sensation Micah Parsons and the Cowboys’ defense would have none of it. Parsons dropped back in coverage on second-and-10 from Dallas’ 26-yard line to deliver a pass break up that nearly landed harmlessly onto the turf, if not for safety Jayron Kearse diving while simultaneously dragging both feet to secure an eye-popping interception at Dallas’ 5-yard line, grabbing a takeaway that served as a gut punch to Hill.
All the Saints want to do is keep it close enough to strike late, but the Cowboys are looking to make a statement.
Tune into the live blog below as the final two quarters unfold in this critical NFC matchup!