Cowboys quarterback Brandon Weeden looks to keep one team streak going while ending a personal one. Dallas can set a franchise record for consecutive regular season road victories if they win in New Orleans on NBC’s Sunday Night Football. He can also put an end to his own nine-game losing skid as a starter. The Saints are hopeful to have Drew Brees back under center as they try to avoid losing their seventh straight home game.
ODDS
No line has been set as of this writing with oddsmakers waiting on a decision from the Saints about quarterback Drew Brees.
KEY INJURIES
Ronald Leary – Is close to a return to the lineup after missing the last two games with a groin strain. Leary participated in practice this week and says he will play. La’el Collins and Mackenzy Bernadeau rotated at left guard in his absence and a similar rotation could be used until Leary is fully healthy.
Drew Brees – Continues to recover from a bruised rotator cuff in his throwing shoulder and is likely a game time decision. Luke McCown will get the nod for the second straight week if Brees is unable to go.
KEY MISMATCH
Arm strength is Brandon Weeden’s best trait as a quarterback, which is why he’s surprised at all the check-down talk from the Cowboys loss last week. Weeden completed 22 of 26 passes for 234 yards but none of those completions went to an outside receiver. Running back Lance Dunbar had 10 catches for 100 yards. Jason Witten has six catches for 65 yards. Cole Beasley was the only receiver to catch a pass with four for 49 yards. Atlanta played a lot of single high defense and didn’t give many chances to throw the ball down the field. The Saints are at the other end of the spectrum. New Orleans is a blitz-happy group under former Cowboys defensive coordinator Rob Ryan and has given up two 300-yard passers. Last year, the Cowboys put up 445 yards of offense on Ryan’s defense, but had Tony Romo and DeMarco Murray in the backfield. “If we got a drop-back pass with four verticals and a comeback, if they’re there, I’m going to rip them,” Weeden said.
KEY STAT
7 – The Saints rank near the bottom of the NFL with seven passing plays of 25 or more yards allowed. This may allow the Cowboys to open up a bit on offense. They average just 10.3 yards per completion.
BETTING ANGLE
While the Saints are still winless this season, they have a much better chance of picking up their first victory of the season if Brees is able to play. No offense to McCown, who wasn’t the problem last week, finishing 31 of 38 for 310 yards. The Saints had a 16-10 advantage early in the third quarter before Carolina scored 17 straight. Brees resumed throwing at practice this week. He missed the first start of his NFL career with a bruised rotator cuff in his throwing shoulder in Week 2. Coach Sean Payton says Brees has “done well” with his rehab and his availability will be based on his performance at practice leading up to game time. The Saints could use him as they are already buried in the NFC South behind unbeatens Carolina and Atlanta.
ANALYSIS AND PREDICTION
Without Tony Romo and Dez Bryant, the Cowboys offense isn’t nearly as explosive. But it was efficient last week. Dallas’ run game, which managed to churn out 127 yards against Atlanta at an average of six yards per carry, will definitely challenge the Saints defense. Weeden had a nice game statistically, but didn’t take many downfield chances. That will change against the Saints, who haven’t gotten much of a pass rush all season. If Brees plays, his return to the lineup could inspire the club, as will increased playing time for C.J. Spiller. New Orleans still has too many weaknesses to get the better of a solid all-around club like Dallas. The Saints may feed off the home crowd and put up a fight, but look for the Cowboys to come out on top.
Dallas 26, New Orleans 20
Minute-by-minute NFL spreads, totals and props are available for this game using the live betting platform at BookMaker.
Access live betting lines from your mobile device or tablet at BookMaker Sportsbook! You can wager on sporting events as they unfold on television with BookMaker’s live betting platform. Real-time spreads, totals, props and moneyline odds are all available by clicking here so start betting with BookMaker today! The matchup between the Dallas Cowboys and New Orleans Saints will take place Sunday, October 4, 2015, at 8:30 p.m. ET at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. The game will be broadcast nationally on NBC.
