Football fans love big games, and this one had all the hype. The New Orleans Saints vs Dallas Cowboys match was expected to be a close battle, but instead, it turned into a clear and strong win for the Saints. Played on September 15, 2024, at AT&T Stadium, this game showed us just how well-prepared and explosive the Saints can be.
In today’s article, we’ll walk you through everything—quarter by quarter highlights, star player stats, and the moments that changed the game. Whether you’re a Saints fan, a Cowboys supporter, or just someone who enjoys great football, this breakdown will help you understand how the game played out—and why it ended 44-19 in favor of New Orleans.
Quick Summary of the Final Score
Let’s start with the basics. The final score was:
🟢 New Orleans Saints – 44 🔵 Dallas Cowboys – 19
The Saints started strong and stayed in control the whole way. Dallas scored a few times but couldn’t keep up. It was one of those games where one team just looked sharper, faster, and more ready to win.
Here’s how the score looked by quarter:
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1st Quarter: Saints 14 – Cowboys 6
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2nd Quarter: Saints 21 – Cowboys 7
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3rd Quarter: Saints 3 – Cowboys 6
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4th Quarter: Saints 6 – Cowboys 0
By the final whistle, the Cowboys’ 16-game home winning streak was over, and the Saints had made a big statement.
First Quarter: A Fast Start for the Saints
The game began with the Cowboys getting on the board first. They put together a 13-play drive and kicked a field goal, taking a 3–0 lead. It looked like they were in control early.
But the Saints answered fast.
In just seven plays, they drove 80 yards and scored a touchdown. Quarterback Derek Carr looked calm and confident, and Alvin Kamara made some key runs to push them ahead 7–3.
Then came the biggest blow—a 70-yard touchdown run on the very next drive. The Saints didn’t waste any time. With just one play, they made it 14–3. That quick score caught the Cowboys off guard.
Dallas managed to get another field goal to make it 14–6, but it was clear early on: New Orleans came to win.
Second Quarter: Saints Take Full Control
In the second quarter, the Saints really took over.
They opened with another clean and powerful drive—70 yards for a touchdown. That made the score 21–6, and the crowd at AT&T Stadium was starting to go quiet.
Dallas didn’t give up. They answered with a strong 4-play, 78-yard drive and scored a touchdown of their own. That made it 21–13, giving fans some hope.
But the Saints weren’t done.
They forced a turnover on the Cowboys’ next possession. Then, they quickly turned it into another touchdown, stretching the score to 28–13. Just before halftime, New Orleans added one more touchdown, making it 35–13.
That final strike before the half felt like the turning point. The Cowboys were down big, and the Saints were in total control.
Third Quarter: A Battle for Momentum
After halftime, Dallas came out with more energy. They moved the ball well and finished a drive with a 51-yard field goal, cutting the Saints’ lead to 35–19.
But the Saints didn’t panic. They played smart football. They used up nearly 8 minutes on their next drive, going 70 yards for another touchdown. This long, slow drive showed how well their offense was working. It also drained time off the clock—something the Cowboys couldn’t afford.
Even though Dallas had the ball and moved it here and there, they couldn’t finish drives. The red zone struggles became a big problem. Every time they got close to scoring, something went wrong—missed throws, penalties, or tough defense from the Saints.
By the end of the third quarter, the Saints were still clearly ahead, and the Cowboys looked frustrated.
Fourth Quarter: Saints Seal the Win
As the fourth quarter began, the Cowboys still had hope, but it didn’t last long. Their first drive ended in an interception, which gave the Saints great field position. The Saints didn’t waste it. They kicked a field goal to make it 44–19.
After that, Dallas had a few more chances to score. But each time, they struggled. The Saints defense stayed strong and stopped them on downs. The Cowboys tried deep passes, short runs, and even tricky plays—but nothing worked.
The Saints played smart in the final minutes. They used running plays to drain the clock and avoided risky passes. It was clear by the end that New Orleans had full control of the game.
Top Player Stats: New Orleans Saints Shine
Let’s take a look at the stars of the game from the Saints’ side.
Alvin Kamara was the biggest name. He scored four touchdowns—three on the ground and one through the air. He had 115 rushing yards and 65 receiving yards. Every time he touched the ball, something good happened.
Derek Carr, the Saints’ quarterback, had a great day. He completed 11 out of 16 passes for 243 yards and 2 touchdowns. He also had a short rushing touchdown. His passes were sharp, and his timing was perfect.
Rashid Shaheed made a big play with a 70-yard touchdown catch, and Chris Olave added over 80 yards on short and medium routes.
The Saints’ offensive line also played a huge role. They gave Carr time to throw and created space for Kamara to run. It was a full team effort.
Cowboys Player Stats: Tough Day in Dallas
On the Cowboys’ side, it was a much harder day.
Dak Prescott threw for 293 yards, which sounds good. But he also had 2 interceptions and only 1 touchdown. He couldn’t finish drives, especially in the red zone.
CeeDee Lamb caught a nice touchdown and had 90 yards, but he didn’t get many chances in the second half. Jalen Tolbert and Luke Schoonmaker also helped with good catches, but the team just couldn’t turn yards into points.
The Cowboys’ run game was weak. They only had 68 rushing yards. That made it hard for them to balance their attack. Without a strong running game, Prescott had to do too much—and it led to mistakes.
New Orleans Saints vs Dallas Cowboys Match Player Stats – Full Table
Here’s a simple stat table to show some of the most important numbers from the game:
Saints Offense:
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Alvin Kamara: 20 rushes for 115 yards, 3 rush TDs; 2 catches for 65 yards, 1 rec TD
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Derek Carr: 11/16, 243 yards, 2 TDs, 1 INT; 1 rush TD
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Rashid Shaheed: 4 catches, 96 yards, 1 TD
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Chris Olave: 4 catches, 81 yards
Cowboys Offense:
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Dak Prescott: 27/39, 293 yards, 1 TD, 2 INT
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CeeDee Lamb: 4 catches, 90 yards, 1 TD
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Jalen Tolbert: 6 catches, 82 yards
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Luke Schoonmaker: 6 catches, 43 yards
Saints Defense:
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Paulson Adebo: 1 INT (47-yard return), 5 tackles
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Tyrann Mathieu: 1 INT, 2 pass deflections
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Carl Granderson: 1.5 sacks
Cowboys Defense:
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Donovan Wilson: 1 INT
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Eric Kendricks: 8 tackles
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Micah Parsons: 3 tackles, 0 sacks
Defense Wins Games: Saints’ Key Takeaways
The Saints’ defense played smart and aggressive. They got two interceptions, stopped the Cowboys in the red zone, and kept pressure on Prescott all game.
Paulson Adebo made a big play with a long interception return. Tyrann Mathieu also grabbed a pick and helped shut down the middle of the field.
Their front line didn’t allow many big runs, and they forced Dallas to pass under pressure. That’s why the Cowboys had zero touchdowns on three red zone trips—a big reason for the loss.
Where the Cowboys Fell Short
The Cowboys had good moments, but not enough. Their biggest problem? Red zone struggles. They moved the ball but couldn’t score touchdowns when it mattered.
They also had two turnovers, which gave the Saints short fields. Their defense couldn’t stop Kamara, and they only got one sack all game.
Even Micah Parsons, their top defender, was quiet. The Saints’ game plan kept him away from the quarterback, and that hurt Dallas badly.
What This Means for the Season
After this game, the Cowboys’ season got a bit harder. Their record dropped to 8–6, and they’ll need to fight hard for a wild card spot in the NFC.
The Saints, on the other hand, moved up to 10–4 and are now one of the top teams in the NFC. Their offense looks great, and their defense is making big plays.
Both teams still have games left, but this match showed where each team stands—and what they need to fix or keep doing.
Fantasy Football and Betting Tips
If you play fantasy football or like to follow betting picks, here’s what this game tells us:
✅ Start These Players with Confidence
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Alvin Kamara (great vs weak run defenses)
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Saints Defense (especially vs teams who struggle in the red zone)
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Derek Carr (when the run game is working)
⚠️ Be Careful With These
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Cowboys RBs (if they fall behind early)
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Dak Prescott (when under pressure)
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Micah Parsons (against teams with strong O-lines)
Fan Reactions and Quotes
Fans and players had a lot to say after the game.
🗣 Michael Irvin tweeted: “That wasn’t Cowboys football. We got punched in the mouth and never punched back.” 🗣 Demario Davis from the Saints posted: “Built different. Who Dat!” 🗣 Jerry Jones, Cowboys owner, said: “We got outplayed, outcoached, and embarrassed.”
The energy after the game was clear. One team looked like a playoff threat. The other looked confused and beaten.
Bottom-Line
This game was more than just a win—it was a message. The New Orleans Saints vs Dallas Cowboys match player stats show how planning, execution, and teamwork can lead to big results.
The Saints played smart and strong from start to finish. Their offense was explosive. Their defense was tough. And their star players stepped up at the right time.
For the Cowboys, there’s still time to bounce back. But they need to fix their red zone problems and give Prescott more help.
In the end, this was a game to remember—and a great lesson in how football is won, one play at a time.
You may also read: Denver Broncos vs New York Jets Match Player Stats
