Saints vs Cowboys final score: Dallas cruises to 38-17 victory

The Dallas Cowboys hosted the New Orleans Saints in week 4 in a game that many people assumed would be a high-scoring shootout. As it turned out, only one of the sides held up their end of that bargain. The Cowboys’ offense clicked all night while their defense stifled a normally potent Saints’ offense, leading Dallas to an easy 38-17 victory.

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The Cowboys were dominant on offense from wire to wire in this game. That started with their running game, the key to their success so far this season. DeMarco Murray is playing like an absolute star. He ran for 149 yards and two touchdowns in this game.

Both touchdowns were impressive, but the second one was particularly so:

Tony Romo lit things up through the air, throwing for an efficient 262 yards, three touchdowns, and perhaps most importantly, no turnovers. His favorite target was Terrance Williams, as the second-year receiver hauled in six catches for 77 yards and two touchdowns.

Dez Bryant also caught a touchdown in this game to go along with an otherwise modest statistical line: three catches for 44 yards.

On the other side of the ball, we have no choice but to ask this question: is the Dallas defense good? At the very least they might not be doormats, which would certainly make the Cowboys an interesting team this season. On this night they bottled up Drew Brees and company, holding them to 17 points.

All of the New Orleans offense came in the second half, making Cowboys’ fans a little nervous before it was clear that the game was in hand. Brees found enough of a rhythm to put up big numbers, throwing for 340 yards and two touchdowns. Those stats do not tell the whole story, however, as the Saints offense was a disappointment overall.

Jimmy Graham pitched in 86 yards and a touchdown. On the ground, Khiry Robinson led the way with 87 yards on eight carries, though most of those yards came on a 62-yard run.

Ultimately the closest the Saints came was within 14 points, this game was never in doubt, and the Cowboys cruised to a decisive victory.

Don’t look now, but the Cowboys are 3-1 this season, and I daresay they might be playing a sustainable brand of winning football. As for the Saints, they are now 1-3 and have to reassess their situation in a hurry if they want to be relevant this season.

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