Dallas vs New Orleans Preview and Prediction
The Dallas Cowboys face the New Orleans Saints and their ex-defensive coordinator Rob Ryan tonight in New Orleans.
The Cowboys fired Ryan at the end of last season, but he was hired shortly thereafter by the Saints. Ryan has helped to improve a defense for the Saints that last year gave up more yards than any other team in league history.
Ryan was with Dallas for two seasons, when the Cowboys defense ranked No. 14 in 2011 and No. 19 in 2012 for total defense.
Sean Payton the New Orleans Saints head coach signed Ryan to turn the defense around. Thus far the Saints with an record of 6-2 have the No. 9 ranked defense that has held opponents to 18 points or less six times.
New Orleans has played well against the pass allowing only 212 yards per game, which is fifth in the league. However, the secondary will be tested in tonight’s game as Tony Romo ranks fifth in the league one spot behind New Orleans quarterback Drew Brees.
Last week Romo completed 34 of his 51 passes for 337 yards with two touchdowns. He threw a touchdown pass with just 35 seconds left in the game to defeat Minnesota 27-23.
The Cowboys have won three of their past four games and Ryan and his head coach Payton know that stopping Romo is a daunting task.
Payton was an assistant coach for Dallas for three seasons and helped Romo be signed by Dallas. Romo had 416 yards along with four touchdown passes in a loss to New Orleans in overtime 34-31 last December.
The running attack for Dallas has struggled and ranks No. 27 in the league. Last week, the Cowboys had just 36 yards rushing on nine carriers.
Dallas will look to run more often against New Orleans, as the Saints are No. 25 against the rush, allowing 121 yards per games on the ground. Last week in their 26-20 loss to the New York Jets, the Saints defense gave up 198 yards on the ground.
New Orleans is 1-2 over their past three games following a start of 5-0. Payton is looking for more balance on the offense, which is his responsibility.
Brees was 30 for 51 for 382 passing yards versus the Jets last week, but had two interceptions in the game. New Orleans ran the ball only 13 times versus the Jets.
New Orleans is 7-1 SU over the past 8 head-to-head games against Dallas. In their last matchup last December, Brees had 446 yards through the air.
Last season in the game against New Orleans, Dez Bryant had 9 receptions for 224 yards, which was a career high. He has a back injury, but is expected to be in the lineup tonight.
Pick: Cowboys 38-35
