Saints embarrassed by Cowboys in Dallas 38-17

The Saints lost on the road again, but this time it wasn’t by a last second game winning field goal. Instead, they were completely outplayed in all phases as they lost 38-17. The score was 24-0 at halftime in favor of the Cowboys and the game was never in doubt. Many will wonder what has happened to the Saints and to me it’s pretty clear. This game is on everyone in the organization, top to bottom.  The tackling took two steps back, back to week 1 status, and it’s clear that is in part due to this unit pressing so badly for a turnover. The #2 corner position remains the Achilles heel, the pass rush continues to not live up to expectations, and the offense followed up with another lackluster performance for the second straight week. As disappointing of a Saints performance as I’ve seen under Sean Payton, and I put it right up there with the regular season loss in Seattle a season ago. The Saints drop to 1-3 and the way they’re playing at the moment it’s hard to see them digging out of this hole. Below are my bullets on the game:

• This defense cannot get off the field on third downs. Granted they were better in the second half but at that point the game had already been decided. That 3rd and 2 play early in the game where Tony Romo pulled a Houdini act to get out of a sack said it all. The inability to make a big play is causing the defense to press and it’s making them play even worse.
• Junior Galette made have a huge contract, but he showed tonight when he goes up against an elite left tackle he is in over his head.
• Dez Bryant was doubled for a lot of the game and was quiet until a touchdown late. Keenan Lewis mostly did a good job on him with help. Not that it mattered, because the Cowboys rushed for 190 yards and 5.4 yards per carry. Again, the tackling was deplorable.
• Down 31-17 with a little over 7 minutes left, the Saints decided to run a fake punt on 4th and 9. When your quarterback is Drew Brees and you elect to throw the ball with Thomas Morstead instead you have to be out of your mind. I understand there’s misdirection involved but you’re not going to catch a team by surprise in that situation. If you’re going to go for it, leaving the offense on the field is the only decision.
• Shayne Graham missed a 41 yard field goal that continued to hand the Cowboys early momentum. You have to wonder how much longer he’ll be on the roster at this rate.
• Corey White was picked on a good bit. A poor game by him overall.
• The Saints went -3 in the turnover ratio and hard to envision when they might get another takeaway at this rate.
• Terron Armstead went down with a concussion by friendly fire, taking Travaris Cadet’s knee to his head, and did not return. Bryce Harris filled in for him and overall he held up ok.
• Cadet had 7 touches and Pierre Thomas had 4. PT’s complete removal from the gameplan was a head scratcher to say the least.
• Brees seemed to force the ball Colston’s way often and it was pretty hit or miss.
• There was no margin for error for the offense tonight. Anything short of a perfect game was going to be a loss because the defense was getting gashed at will. At this point I don’t have an easy solution for the defense. It’s going to be tough for them all season long I’m afraid against an offense of good caliber.

That’s about all I have to say. Not much positive to take away from this one and it’s clear at this point this team feels destined for a poor season considering the incredibly high standard set. They come back home next week to host the 1-3 Tampa Bay Bucs and we’ll just have to hope they can handle business at home to enter the bye week at 2-3.