By Dean Michaels, NFL Writer

NFL 2013 Week 10 Preview: Cowboys vs Saints

NFC division leaders square off as the New Orleans Saints (6-2) host the Dallas Cowboys (5-4) on Sunday Night Football. The Cowboys hold a one-game lead over the Eagles in the NFC East while the Saints own a one-game lead over Carolina in the NFC South.

Dallas leads the series, 15-10, though New Orleans has won seven of the last eight meetings, including a dramatic 34-31 overtime victory on December 23, 2012. The Cowboys won 8 of 10 from 1973-1994 and 13 of the first 16 meetings between the two clubs. Nine games in the series have been decided by a touchdown or less; five by three or less. The Saints have a 5-3 record against the Cowboys at the Superdome.

The Saints are one of the NFL's most balanced teams over the first half of the 2013 season, ranking seventh offensively and ninth defensively, making them one of only four NFL teams to be ranked in the top ten in both categories.

The Saints have been one of the most explosive offensive teams in the NFL, ranking third in the NFL in net passing yards per game (317.6) and in pass plays of 25 or more yards (25). This high-powered passing offense has been led by the combination of QB Drew Brees and TE Jimmy Graham. Brees has completed 213-of-322 passes (66.1%) for 2,672 yards with 21 touchdowns, seven interceptions and a 104.5 passer rating. Brees ranks second in the NFL in both passing yardage and TD passes. At the season's midpoint, Graham has amassed 49 receptions for 746 yards with ten touchdown grabs, ranking first in the NFL in both overall touchdowns (ten) and scoring receptions.

In addition to ranking ninth in the NFL in opponent net yards per game (333.1 ypg.), a resurgent Saints defense is also ranked fifth in the NFL against the pass (211.9) and in scoring defense (18.3 ppg.). After posting only 30 sacks in 2012, New Orleans rank ninth in the NFL with 26 quarterback takedowns through eight games.

The Cowboys improved to 5-4 and in control of the NFC East with a fourth quarter come-from-behind 27-23 victory against the Minnesota Vikings. The Dallas Cowboys defense forced a Minnesota punt, setting up the Cowboys with under 3:00 to go in the game. Tony Romo led a nine-play, 90-yard drive that finished with a seven-yard touchdown pass to Dwayne Harris that put Dallas ahead 27-23 with less than 0:35 left.

The Cowboys are looking to return to the postseason for the first time since 2009 after narrowly missing the playoffs by one game in both 2011 and 2012.

New Orleans lost 20-26 on the road to the New York Jets. Drew Brees finished the game 30-of-51 for 382 yards with two touchdowns and two interceptions. Jimmy Graham led all receivers with nine catches for 116 yards and two touchdowns and Pierre Thomas led all rushers with six carries for 24 yards.

Prediction

The Cowboys (5-4) have won three of their last four games. However, their 5 wins came against teams with a combined record of 14-and-30 (Giants, Rams, Washington, Eagles, Vikings). In addition, the Cowboys are 1-3 on the road.

The Cowboys' four losses are by a combined 14 points to the Chiefs (16-17), Chargers (21-30), Broncos (48-51) and Lions (30-31). So they are capable of hanging tough against strong opponents.

Against the Saints, however, this won't be about the Cowboys imploding. Instead, expect Drew Brees and the number three passing offense in the NFL this season to expose the Cowboys' secondary (31st pass defense). Brees is averaging 334 yards passing per game this season.

The Saints (6-2) should easily rebound from their loss to the New York Jets on the road a week ago.

 

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NFL 2013 Week 10 Preview - Dallas Cowboys vs New Orleans Saints