Saints Nation: Saints Blow Out Cowboys 49-17

Well it was hard to know how much to attribute to the Cowboys' defense laying down versus the Saints' having a nearly perfect game from top to bottom, but the end result was a much deserved one sided blowout win. Most notable was the NFL record 40 first downs the Saints gained offensively. Hard to believe this performance was one for the history books, but the Saints' offense was that good. The Saints gained 625 yards of offense, 383 passing and 242 rushing. And the defense held yet another opponent under 20 points, while giving up just 193 yards to a very potent offense. And of course the guy that deserves the limelight given what he's been through this year is Mark Ingram, who had 14 carries for 145 yards and a touchdown. Yes you read that correctly. Below are my thoughts on the game.

• There was much discussion about the run/pass ratio after the Jets game. Well, the ratio in this one was 38 to 41. Pretty good balance I'd say. The Saints had 242 yards on 38 carries and I doubt we'll ever see a Sean Payton run offense put up this kind of rushing yardage ever again. PT added another 87 yards on the ground for good measure. 
• I maintain this offense is most deadly when they run because even if Brees is throwing less he becomes ridiculously more efficient. He completed almost 83% of his passes, at 34 for 41, and at one point completed 19 in a row which was a personal record.
• The offensive line was outstanding. By far their best game of the year. Charles Brown had his issues with DeMarcus Ware, but otherwise the o-line was masterful. 
• Dallas' defense was 31st overall coming into this game and they were missing their best run stuffing defensive tackle, Jason Hatcher. Then, they lost their best defender Sean Lee to a hamstring injury… and his backup would soon after leave with a hamstring issue as well. Put simply this defense is just out of bodies, and their best players are out. I'm not sure they were stopping anybody, but playing the Saints in the Dome on Sunday night was just added insult. I don't want to take away from the Saints' offensive performance but based on the health of the Dallas' D I think making plays came pretty easy.
• Marques Colston played and played extremely well. He had 107 yards on 7 catches and most of it came when it still mattered in the first half. Nice to see him back and playing well. In particular he seemed to break weak tackles and fall forward for extra yardage after the catch.
• Sproles fumbled early but made up for it with some sicks plays. His screen pass touchdown with 5 seconds before halftime was the death blow to the Cowboys.
• The Cowboys actually ran the ball well with DeMarco Murray but had to turn to the passing game when the Saints were getting points on every possession. Romo was just 10-24, though, and a pretty big disaster throwing. Clearly Rob Ryan had something going on he couldn't handle.
• Dez Bryant was doubled most of the game and held to just 1 catch, a bobbled 44 yarder. Believe it or not that one play was 42% of Dallas' team passing yardage. Keenan Lewis did a terrific job on him.
• Kenny Vaccaro and Ben Watson both left the game with concussions. Brees also seemed to hurt his hand but finished the game fine. 
• Ramon Humber, Corey White and Glenn Foster were probably the best three guys on defense tonight. Rob Ryan just finds a way to make it work with nobodies.
• Garrett Hartley missed a 37 yarder wide right. That's now 4 of his last 6 he's missed. He's officially in a major slump. He also appeared to tweak something after getting lightly hit on an extra point. Is it time to start looking for a new kicker?
• I was impressed with Dwayne Harris of the Cowboys, both as a returner and a gunner. He's like Courtney Roby 2.0 except way better. I was glad to see he wasn't hurt bad enough to leave the game, it looked serious at first. The Saints were lucky Kevin Reddick didn't get flagged for a late hit out of bounds on that one.

The Saints remain a game ahead of Carolina in the NFC South standings and will stay at home waiting to host the 49ers at 3:25pm central in the Dome next Sunday. That starts a brutal stretch as the Saints have to head to Atlanta four days later, then head to Seattle the following week on Monday night before coming back home to deal with the Panthers on a short week again after a west coast trip. Brutal. These next four are huge, though. Until then, enjoy this one Saints fans! It doesn't get any better than a 49-17 blowout win on national tv on our way to 7-2!