Coach Sean Payton has had great success against the team that led him to his first head coaching position in all of his coaching career.

Well, the early season monkey of 2014 is off of their back. The New Orleans Saints are finally in the win column three weeks in to the season. It may not have been as pretty as what we’re used to seeing when they play in the Mercedes-Benz Superdome, but hey, a win is a win and that was a big one. Now sitting at 1-2, the Saints travel to face the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday Night Football. The Cowboys are 2-1, coming off of a huge come from behind win in St. Louis. This match-up always has more meaning for Coach Sean Payton, considering he spent three years as the Assistant Head Coach and Offensive Coordinator in Dallas from 2003-2005, putting him on the map for his first head coaching position. New Orleans has played Dallas five times under Coach Payton, with the only loss coming as their first loss of the season in the magical 2009 Super Bowl Run. The two teams last played less than a year ago on Sunday Night Football in the Superdome with it being a Saints blowout by the score of 49-17.

Despite earning their first victory of the year, the Saints are coming off of their worst statistical performance through the first three games, albeit just by one yard. Still, though, half of their drives ended with a punt after not gaining much yardage. Thankfully, they made the most of their other four drives, cashing three in for touchdowns and making the last one a seven minute drive to close out the game. Heading in to Week 4, New Orleans is ranked 4th in the NFL in total offense, averaging 421.7 yards per game, while scoring the 7th most points per game with 26.0.

Coming in to the year, most believed that not only were the Cowboys going to have the worst defense in the league, but they had the potential to break the Saints’ record for yards allowed in 2012. They were already bad last year and they were now going to be without DeMarcus Ware who was a cap-casualty and Sean Lee, who is out for the year after tearing his ACL in the Cowboys’ first OTA practice. Surprisingly, though, they’ve played much better than anticipated. They rank 21st in total defense, giving up 360.3 yards per game. They sit tied for 18th in scoring, allowing 23.0 points per contest. Those numbers are not too bad, though it looked as if the defense everyone expected had arrived in their Week 3 game at St. Louis. The Rams jumped out to a 21-0 lead, but the Cowboys buckled down and fought back to prevail 34-31. 

Pass Offense

Though playing very efficient so far this season, Drew Brees has not yet dominated a game like we see him do so often.His 70.9% completion percentage is phenomenal, though it’s more indicative of how little the Saints have attempted to throw the ball down field so far. They’ve settled for a lot of short pass through the past two games after failing multiple times to complete a deep pass on Atlanta in Week 1. Brees’ 287.7 yards per game passing is fifth in the NFL, while he’s tied for 8th with 5 touchdowns. He’s also thrown 2 interceptions and been sacked 3 times. Jimmy Graham has been his main target, hauling in 24 of his 31 targets, which is second in the league. He has 254 yards receiving and 2 touchdowns. Rookie Brandin Cooks is second on the team in receptions, targets, receiving yards, and receiving touchdowns, showing the high level of trust from his coaches and quarterback in such little time. He has 18 receptions for 168 yards and a touchdown. Marques Colston got out to a hot start in Week 1, was held without a target in Week 2, then got going late last week and caught the game-sealing touchdown in the 4th quarter. He has 7 receptions for 135 yards and a touchdown through the first three games. After missing the first game while nursing a quad injury, Kenny Stills has yet to get himself going, averaging just 9.0 yards per catch after leading the league with 20.0 yards per reception last year. Pierre Thomas continues to be a target out of the backfield, catching 12 of the 13 balls thrown his way for 95 yards.

The Cowboys defense comes in to Week 4 giving up 250.3 yards per game, which is 21st in the league. The most they gave up came last week, allowing 327 yards to Rams third string quarterback Austin Davis. Even with that performance, they haven’t truly been tested, though. San Francisco jumped out to a 28-3 first half lead against Dallas in Week 1, allowing the 49ers to run the ball for most of the way in the second half. In Week 2, the Cowboys faced the Tennessee Titans and Jake Locker, who is struggling once again this year. This week will be a true test to how much this pass defense has improved. Speaking of improvement, there hasn’t been much from former LSU Tiger and 6th overall pick Maurice Claiborne. Claiborne has been a big disappointment in his short time in the NFL after the Cowboys traded up to select him in the first round of the 2012 NFL draft. Just this week, he stormed out of the Cowboys’ facility when told by Head Coach Jason Garrett that he had been demoted from the #2 cornerback in favor of Orlando Scandrick, following a dismal performance in St. Louis . Claiborne returned the team the following day and is likely to be disciplined by the team. As for the rest of the unit, Dallas has recorded only three sacks so far. Their best pass rusher, Anthony Spencer, is battling back from a knee injury and has yet to play this year, though it’s looking very possible that he’ll suit up on Sunday after practicing on a limited basis on Wednesday and Thursday. The Cowboys have four interceptions this year, with one of them being returned for a touchdown by strong-side linebacker Bruce Carter. Free safety Barry Church has an interception and is second on the team with 16 tackles. Top cornerback Brandon Carr, who struggled badly last season after becoming known to have the ability to shut down #1 wide receivers, has two pass breakups this year. Aforementioned Maurice Claiborne has an interception and two pass breakups, despite his struggles.

With the expectations for this game to be a shoot-out, Brees may get back to throwing the ball down field. This will certainly be the toughest test this Cowboys defense has faced thus far in 2014 season, so it will be very telling as to just how much better they have gotten since last year. Dallas has struggled to cover tight-ends so far this year, so Jimmy Graham could be in for a big day. With Jonathan Goodwin nursing an ankle injury and yet to practice this week, Tim Lelito will step in and try to keep Brees clean against an underwhelming pass rush.

Rush Offense

To no surprise, the Saints had their worst rushing performance of the year while playing without Mark Ingram last week. Both Khiry Robinson and Pierre Thomas averaged just 3.8 yards per carry, the first time the Saints backfield has averaged less than 4.6 this year. Robinson is averaging 42.7 yards per game this year, but gained 69 yards on 18 carries getting the start and the bulk of the work with Ingram out last week. He has one rushing touchdown which came in Week 1. Pierre Thomas has not seen a ton of carries so far, as expected, working as mainly the passing downs back. He received his most carries of the season last week, taking 8 of them for 30 yards and his first touchdown of the year. Mark Ingram remains out with his broken hand that was surgically repaired.

Despite facing two big deficits in their three games, Dallas held up respectably against the run. They are right smack in the middle of the league, giving up 110.0 yards per game on the ground, 16th most. Linebacker Bruce Carter leads the way for the Cowboys with 19 tackles, while free safety Barry Church follows behind with 16. Middle linebacker Rolando McClain has 15 tackles this year, but injured his groin in Week 2, causing him to miss last week’s game and keeping him out of practice so far this week, making him pretty questionable for Sunday. His replacement, Anthony Hitchens, has played well in relief, sitting at third on the team with 16 tackles. Dallas is battling a lot of injuries at their two defensive tackle positions, too. Henry Melton (hamstring), Davon Coleman (knee), and Terrell McClain (concussion) are all banged up with only Coleman being the only one to practice this week. He got back to practice on Thursday, but was still limited.

Players to Watch

Drew Brees

I alluded to it earlier, but this game has all of the makings of a shoot-out. This match-up typically has produced that type of game. I strongly believe that Brees will have his best performance of the year on Sunday night. Of course, that isn’t a huge stretch this early in the season, considering how the offense has played, but still. I believe he’ll eclipse his 333 yards passing from Week 1, but even if not, I think for sure that he’ll beat his 90.7 passer rating from that game. Look for him to get back to throwing the ball down field in this one.

Khiry Robinson

Robinson could be in for a big day. Less than a year ago, the Saints ran for 242 yards on this Cowboy team. Mark Ingram had the best day of his career, rushing for 145 yards and averaging a whopping 10.4 yards per pop. Yes, Dallas has played better defensively this season, but between the injures to Rolando McClain and all of their defensive tackles, there could be some big holes for him to run through come Sunday.

Jimmy Graham

I know what you’re thinking…”Not going out on a limb there, Dave.” Well, there’s more to it than just assuming Graham is going to go off because he’s really really really good. The Cowboys have allowed 27 receptions, 290 yards, and 4 touchdowns to tight-ends through the first three games. That’s an average of 9 catches, 97 yards, and over a touchdown a game. Those numbers are worst in the league against the tight-end position. If Graham can put up stats like that on a weekly basis, what do you think he can do against the worst team against his position?

Tim Lelito

Here’s a bonus name for you. There’s not much to say other than he’ll almost definitely be getting his first start of the season, filling in for the injured Jonathan Goodwin at center. Lelito held up well once entering the game following Goodwin’s injury last week, so here’s to hoping he follows that up with another good performance. With the landscape of the defensive tackle position for the Cowboys looking the way it is right now, it’s likely the best timing for his first start of the year.

Prediction

I’ll keep it short and sweet. Coach Sean Payton has this team’s number (unless he’s undefeated). I’m not buying that the Cowboys defense is that much better like their numbers say. They haven’t played any truly potent offenses yet, so I believe they’ll be exposed on national television in this one. Because it’s in Dallas, though, I think the Cowboys may be able to keep it close.

Saints – 33

Cowboys – 27

Who Dat?!

Follow David Billiot Jr on Twitter @DCBilliotJr6