The Dallas Cowboys snapped a two-game skid with a 27-17 win against the Saints on Thursday Night Football. The Cowboys' defense intercepted four of Saints quarterback Taysom Hill's passes in the victory, including one that Dallas defensive lineman Carlos Watkins returned for a touchdown.
The Athletic Staff
Summary
The Dallas Cowboys snapped a two-game skid with a 27-17 win against the Saints on Thursday Night Football. The Cowboys' defense intercepted four of Saints quarterback Taysom Hill's passes in the victory, including one that Dallas defensive lineman Carlos Watkins returned for a touchdown. Cowboys cornerback Trevon Diggs collected his league-leading ninth interception of the season Thursday night.
Dallas snapped a two-game losing streak to improve to 8-4, while New Orleans lost its fifth consecutive game to slip to 5-7. The Saints had never lost five games in a row under coach Sean Payton.
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(Photo: Stephen Lew / USA Today)
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Cowboys coach Mike McCarthy saw this one coming
A day after the Cowboys lost to the Raiders on Thanksgiving, Mike McCarthy said there was something critical the team needed to accomplish.
“Winning ugly is very important, particularly in this part of the season,” the Cowboys head coach said. “Throughout the league, it’s attrition time. There are changes in lineups each week. This is where you have to do the little things, particularly in the fourth quarter, and in game situations to bring home the victory.”
The Cowboys did that Thursday night in the Superdome.
Read the full story below:
GO FURTHER
Cowboys win ugly: Dak Prescott credits the defense — ‘They played their asses off’
Carlos Watkins' pick six made Cowboys history
The 29-yard interception return for TD with 2:52 left helped Dallas reach a team milestone.
Taysom Hill's finger isn't broken, but ...
... it's definitely not 100 percent.
Elite company for Diggs
Trevon Diggs collected his NFL-leading ninth interception of the season Thursday night. That total is one of the highest in Cowboys history.
Dallas nabs four interceptions, hands New Orleans its fifth-straight loss
Dallas used four interceptions and three highlight-reel touchdowns to outpace the Saints and score a 27-17 win in the Week 13 Thursday night opener.
It started with Michael Gallup doing a superb toe tap in the back of the end zone to catch a 1-yard touchdown pass from Dak Prescott in the first quarter. Tony Pollard then added a 58-yard rushing score in the third quarter with a late burst of speed that defeated the blocking angle of Saints safety Marcus Williams. Carlos Watkins then closed out the Cowboys scoring with a 29-yard interception return for a touchdown that he snagged after Taysom Hill’s arm was hit on the pass.
Hill came into this game dealing with a plantar fascia injury and then hurt a finger on his throwing hand in the first half and yet still managed to throw for 264 yards and two touchdowns while also leading the game with a career-high 101 rushing yards.
Watkins’ pick-six was the fourth for the Cowboys this year, a mark that ties their all-time team record. Micah Parsons also registered his 10th sack of the year, making him the 13th rookie in NFL history to post 10-plus sacks.
Dallas (8-4) goes to Washington next week to face the Football Team. New Orleans (5-7) travels to New York for a matchup with the Jets.
(Photo: Jonathan Bachman / Getty Images)
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Harris gets loose for a 70-yard score
Saints receiver Deonte Harris scored on a 70-yard touchdown reception.
Taysom Hill throws fourth interception of the game
A defensive lineman’s dream comes true. Carlos Watkins returns Taysom Hill's fourth interception for a touchdown. The play has Dallas in record territory for pick-sixes.
Trevon Diggs gets his ninth interception of the season
He’s bringing to mind all-time Cowboys great ballhawks like Everson Walls.
Cowboys force a turnover of their own
The Saints converted a 4th and 8 to keep their drive going but Jourdan Lewis hit Taysom Hill’s arm on the next play and it results in a Cowboys pick.
Lattimore snags second interception of the season
The Cowboys inability to effectively run the ball forces them to throw and it leads to Prescott taking an unnecessary chance that is picked off.
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Saints punt again
The Saints may be running out of gas on offense, as they just posted their second three and out in their last three drives. Dallas is in position to close the game out up 20-10 at their own 32 with 8:57 left in the fourth.
A closer look at Pollard's touchdown run
Statistical evidence of just how fast Tony Pollard was moving on that touchdown run.
Micah Parsons shuts down a Saints drive
The Defensive Rookie of the Year candidate strikes again.
Hill up to a career-high 87 rushing yards
He has one more quarter to set the bar even higher.
Hill adding to the highlight reel
Hill has ripped off some impressive runs in the third quarter.
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Pollard scores on a 58-yard run
Tony Pollard kicks into turbo drive and outruns Marcus Williams to the end zone to put Dallas up 20-10.
Questionable call hinders Saints drive
A blindside block penalty that Troy Aikman said is one of the worst calls he’s seen all year hamstrings the Saints drive and they end up punting on their second drive of the second half.
Saints defense gets a stop
The Cowboys offense has now gone three and out on three of its last four drives. New Orleans starts on its 21-yard line down 13-10 just past the halfway mark of the third quarter.
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