Cowboys Must Have Better Passing Attack Against Saints

The Dallas Cowboys travel to the Crescent City to take on the New Orleans Saints in an NFC showdown on NFL Sunday Night Football.

Both teams have had to play without their star players and both teams lost last week without those players.

New Orleans is waiting to hear if Drew Brees will play on Sunday and all indications are that he will.

Sean Payton the New Orleans coach said he expected Brees would return for Sunday’s game against Dallas, However, Dallas will remain without both quarterback and team leader Tony Romo and wide receiver Dez Bryant

Both teams did not have their star quarterbacks for Week 3 and New Orleans lost 27-22 to fall to 0-3, while Dallas lost to Atlanta 39-38 to fall to 2-1.

New Orleans cannot afford another loss, as NFC South rivals Carolina and Atlanta are both 3-0 to start the season.

Luke McCown played well for the Saints in place of Brees last week completing 31 of 38 passes and the Saints led during the third quarter before Carolina scored 17 unanswered points.

Dallas is 2-8 in its past 10 games versus New Orleans and though they were victorious last season 38-17 over the Saints.

Sunday’s matchup will feature new faces the Cowboys. Dallas will not have Romo until Week 11 as he broke his collarbone.

Brandon Weeden has replaced Romo and he has lost 9 straight NFL starts dating back to December of 2012 and has more interceptions with 29 than touchdowns at 27 for his pro career.

Weeden appeared ready to help Dallas to a win last week in Atlanta as the Cowboys were ahead at the half 28-17, but the Falcons scored 22 unanswered second half points to take the win.

On the day, Weeden completed 22 of his 26 passes for 232 yards.

The Cowboys offense without Romo and Bryant has not stretched the field as Weeden is throwing short passes over the middle.

New Orleans is ranked close to the bottom in the NFL with seven passing plays of 25 yards or longer given up, but Dallas has only completed 3 of that length this season.

Dallas is ninth in passing yards on offense in the league at 826 but only 322 have been to wide receivers including 48 to Bryant prior to his injury.

Lance Dunbar a running back has 21 catches while Jason Witten the tight end has 21.

Prediction: The Dallas offense will lack punch, but the New Orleans defense lack toughness. A close battle but New Orleans wins 27-24.