It has come and gone. We made it.
The preseason is over for the Dallas Cowboys, and at long last they finally lost an exhibition game as they fell to the New Orleans Saints on Friday night by a final score of 27 to 24.
For all of this calendar year our discussions around this team have centered around how “differently” things have been. The approach to roster construction, the avoidance of off-the-field drama, and now it has all served as a common denominator all the way to the regular season. That’s
what this moment signifies.
There are still things to tend to before we fully get there. The Cowboys have to finalize their 53-man roster (in an initial sense at least, they’ll obviously tend to it) by Sunday afternoon. But next up… real football.
Below you will find a recap of how things went against New Orleans.
So long, preseason.
First Quarter
The Saints won the toss and elected to receive which put the Cowboys on defense first.
Spencer Rattler got things moving a little bit and before you could blink the Saints were in field goal range. Thankfully the Cowboys defense buckled and held them there, but Daniel Carlson did boot one in from 38 yards out for the game’s first points.
SCORE: COWBOYS 0, SAINTS 3
Joe Milton got the start at quarterback on the night which seemed to underscore that he is QB2 for this team. Phil Mafah did a lot of the work on that first possession, but the Cowboys also had to settle for a field goal. Brandon Aubrey was good from 49 yards out.
SCORE: COWBOYS 3, SAINTS 3
The Saints began moving the ball once again, it felt like 2024 (if you know you know), and this time were able to cash all the way in. Touchdown, visitors.
The quarter ended with the Cowboys somewhat threatening, partly thanks to this beauty from Joe Milton to Camden Brown.
Very nice.
Second Quarter
The Cowboys wound up scoring on the possession, but they couldn’t quite match the Saints. Brandon Aubrey lined up from 51 and you know the drill.
SCORE: COWBOYS 6, SAINTS 10
On the game’s fifth possession… we finally got a punt. It looked like New Orleans was going to benefit from a roughing the passer penalty that Spencer Rattler seemed to draw, but replay assist showed that the Cowboys were fine. What a world we are living in these days.
Unfortunately while the Cowboys were able to get within striking distance, they finally blinked themselves. Brandon Aubrey gave a 57-yard field goal is best effort and couldn’t quite convert.
Soon enough the Saints were back in the endzone, this time courtesy of Spencer Rattler on the ground.
SCORE: COWBOYS 6, SAINTS 17
Milton and co. took over with about two minutes left which was very interesting in terms of seeing what he could do.
Joe was solid and he helped the team set up another Brandon Aubrey attempt. This one was from 58 and was as good as could be.
SCORE: COWBOYS 9, SAINTS 17
That was that and both teams went to their locker rooms for halftime.
Third Quarter
Sam Howell was in at quarterback for the second half and things weren’t exactly spectacular to start as the Cowboys punted.
New Orleans picked up where they left off and scored another touchdown. This time it was Zamir White from 11 yards out.
SCORE: COWBOYS 9, SAINTS 24
It was another punt for the Cowboys. A penalty did wipe away a fresh set of downs, but by this point in the game the offense wasn’t exactly doing a ton of work.
New Orleans wound up punting. The vibe was clearly shifting towards the end of the preseason in an overall sense.
Fourth Quarter
As the fourth quarter started the Cowboys did it with a bang.
Sam Howell found Jordan Hudson for a huge touchdown to turn the mood right around.
SCORE: COWBOYS 16, SAINTS 24
The Saints punted it back to the Cowboys which provided life in the game with Dallas down by one score.
With that opportunity the Cowboys seriously cashed in. Like… seriously cashed in.
Sam Howell found Mitch Van Vooren for the touchdown, and then he took care of things himself for the game-tying two-point conversion.
SCORE: COWBOYS 24, SAINTS 24
The Saints went down and kicked a field goal and left 1:55 to work with. Kellen Moore clearly did so because New Orleans is working through kickers. You can’t blame him.
SCORE: COWBOYS 24, SAINTS 27
This set the Cowboys up with a fun opportunity. Sam Howell and co. had a chance down by 3 to go the length of the field to score a touchdown to end the preseason undefeated.
Unfortunately it wasn’t in the cards and the Cowboys lost a preseason game for the first time this year.
