The New Orleans Saints vs Dallas Cowboys Match Player Stats match on September 15, 2024, delivered one of the most surprising results of the NFL regular season. The Saints, led by Derek Carr and Alvin Kamara, dominated early and never looked back, handing the Cowboys a 44–19 loss at AT&T Stadium. This game marked the end of Dallas’s 16-game regular-season home winning streak, a record that stood since 2021.
The Saints were nearly perfect on offense during the first half, scoring touchdowns on their first six possessions. This level of efficiency overwhelmed the Cowboys’ defense, which failed to apply consistent pressure or stop Kamara’s explosive runs. In contrast, the Cowboys managed only two touchdowns and one field goal, struggling with red zone execution and turnovers.
Table of Contents
This game served as a statement for New Orleans, proving that they are serious contenders in the NFC. For Dallas, it raised questions about defensive depth and Dak Prescott’s decision-making under pressure. From start to finish, this game was packed with standout individual performances, which we’ll explore in detail through each statistical category.
Here’s a quick look at the final score and key numbers:
| Team | Score | Total Yards | Turnovers | Time of Possession |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| New Orleans Saints | 44 | 432 | 1 | 31:45 |
| Dallas Cowboys | 19 | 353 | 2 | 28:15 |
“They came out swinging,” said Saints coach Dennis Allen. “We were prepared, we executed, and our playmakers did what they do best.”
This blog post will now break down each major component of this matchup: passing, rushing, receiving, defense, and more—so you get the complete player stats and the story behind them.
Passing Stats: Derek Carr vs Dak Prescott
The quarterback duel between Derek Carr and Dak Prescott was a defining aspect of the Saints vs Cowboys match. While both quarterbacks crossed the 240-yard mark, the difference lay in efficiency, turnover control, and execution in the red zone.
Derek Carr’s Performance
Carr finished the game with:
- 11 completions on 16 attempts
- 243 passing yards
- 2 passing touchdowns
- 1 interception
- Passer rating: 125.0
Carr displayed impressive poise, especially in the first half. He averaged over 15 yards per completion, using deep routes and play-action to shred the Cowboys secondary. His touchdown pass to Rashid Shaheed for 70 yards was a prime example of exploiting Dallas’s deep coverage miscommunication.
Carr also added value as a situational runner, with a short rushing touchdown near the goal line, showing his ability to extend plays when the pocket collapsed.
Dak Prescott’s Performance
Prescott’s stat line reads:
- 27 completions on 39 attempts
- 293 yards
- 1 touchdown
- 2 interceptions
- Passer rating: 78.3
While Prescott out-threw Carr in yardage, most of his production came in the second half, when the game was already tilting in New Orleans’ favor. The two interceptions were critical—one was a mistimed throw into double coverage, and the other a tipped pass at the line of scrimmage that halted a promising drive.
Prescott’s inability to convert crucial third downs and red zone chances hampered Dallas’s momentum.
Side-by-Side Comparison Table
| Quarterback | Comp/Att | Yards | TD | INT | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Derek Carr (NO) | 11/16 | 243 | 2 | 1 | 125.0 |
| Dak Prescott (DAL) | 27/39 | 293 | 1 | 2 | 78.3 |
Key Takeaway:
Carr’s efficiency and clean red zone execution set the tone early, while Prescott’s late-game numbers couldn’t compensate for early miscues.
Rushing Performance & Key Plays
The Saints’ dominance on the ground was led by a vintage performance from Alvin Kamara, who tallied four total touchdowns—three rushing and one receiving.
Alvin Kamara’s Breakout Game
Kamara’s stats:
- 20 carries
- 115 rushing yards
- 3 rushing TDs
- 1 receiving TD (57 yards)
Kamara was electric in both inside and outside zones. His third touchdown run—a 21-yard scamper—featured two broken tackles and a stiff arm that brought the crowd to its feet. He also added a 57-yard receiving touchdown on a screen pass that exploited Dallas’s over-aggressive pass rush.
Dallas Cowboys’ Struggles
Dallas failed to generate any rushing rhythm. Their leading rusher, Rico Dowdle, had:
- 7 carries
- 30 rushing yards
With Tony Pollard out due to injury, the Cowboys couldn’t establish the run, making them one-dimensional and easy to defend.
Rushing Stats Comparison
| Player | Team | Carries | Yards | Avg | TD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alvin Kamara | NO | 20 | 115 | 5.8 | 3 |
| Rico Dowdle | DAL | 7 | 30 | 4.3 | 0 |
| Kendre Miller | NO | 8 | 36 | 4.5 | 0 |
Key Takeaway:
Kamara’s versatility allowed the Saints to dominate time of possession, while Dallas never recovered from its lack of ground support.
Receiving Breakdown: Shaheed, Olave, Lamb
The passing game heavily relied on explosive plays, and several key receivers rose to the occasion.
Saints Receiving Highlights
- Rashid Shaheed: 4 receptions, 96 yards, 1 TD
- Chris Olave: 4 receptions, 81 yards
- Juwan Johnson: 2 receptions, 34 yards
Shaheed’s 70-yard touchdown was the highlight of the night. It showcased Carr’s deep-ball accuracy and Shaheed’s elite speed. Olave played a crucial role on intermediate routes, consistently moving the chains and keeping drives alive.
Cowboys Receiving Stats
- CeeDee Lamb: 4 receptions, 90 yards, 1 TD
- Brandin Cooks: 5 receptions, 41 yards
- Jake Ferguson: 3 receptions, 30 yards
CeeDee Lamb had one spectacular play—a 65-yard touchdown—but was otherwise quiet due to bracket coverage. Ferguson provided short-yardage support, but couldn’t stretch the field.
Receiving Leaders Table
| Player | Team | Receptions | Yards | TD |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rashid Shaheed | NO | 4 | 96 | 1 |
| Chris Olave | NO | 4 | 81 | 0 |
| CeeDee Lamb | DAL | 4 | 90 | 1 |
| Brandin Cooks | DAL | 5 | 41 | 0 |
Key Takeaway:
Saints receivers made the most of limited targets, while Dallas struggled to create consistent separation beyond Lamb’s single big play.
Defense & Turnovers Analysis
Saints Defense
The Saints defense was opportunistic and aggressive. They:
- Forced 2 interceptions
- Had 3 sacks
- Held Dallas to 19 points despite 350+ yards
Cornerback Paulson Adebo made a critical red zone interception, while Cameron Jordan anchored the pass rush with consistent pressure.
Cowboys Defense
The Cowboys defense was overwhelmed early. Despite elite talent in Micah Parsons and Trevon Diggs, the unit allowed:
- 6 consecutive scoring drives
- 432 total yards
- Zero forced fumbles or sacks
New Orleans’ offensive line held up exceptionally well, neutralizing Parsons and giving Carr time to work through his reads.
Turnover Summary
| Team | Interceptions | Fumbles Recovered | Total Turnovers |
|---|---|---|---|
| NO | 2 | 0 | 2 |
| DAL | 1 | 0 | 1 |
Key Takeaway:
New Orleans’ defense made crucial stops, while Dallas failed to disrupt rhythm or create any momentum-changing plays.
Team Totals & Efficiency Comparison
This section shows how the two teams performed in key metrics beyond the box score.
| Metric | Saints | Cowboys |
|---|---|---|
| Total Yards | 432 | 353 |
| Yards/Play | 7.7 | 5.3 |
| 3rd Down Efficiency | 7/10 | 4/11 |
| Time of Possession | 31:45 | 28:15 |
| Red Zone TD % | 100% | 50% |
The Saints’ third-down conversion rate (70%) and red zone efficiency (100%) were near-perfect, reflecting flawless execution. Dallas moved the ball between the 20s but struggled to finish drives.
Key Takeaway:
Stats show that while Dallas competed in yardage, they were far behind in finishing drives and efficiency—where the game was truly decided.
Fantasy Football Impact
The Saints vs Cowboys game had a massive impact on fantasy football matchups.
Top Performers
- Alvin Kamara: 38+ PPR points
- Derek Carr: 22+ fantasy points
- Rashid Shaheed: 19+ fantasy points
- CeeDee Lamb: 15+ fantasy points
Kamara was likely the top-scoring player in all formats this week. Carr and Shaheed were valuable waiver pickups, while Lamb maintained WR1 status.
Underperformers
- Brandin Cooks and Jake Ferguson were fantasy duds
- Cowboys Defense dropped into negative points in most leagues
Key Takeaway:
Saints players outperformed expectations, while most Cowboys fantasy starters (except Lamb) disappointed.
Highlight Plays That Changed the Game
Several moments in this New Orleans Saints vs Dallas Cowboys Match Player Stats matchup stood out as game-altering plays. These highlights not only energized the Saints but also dismantled Dallas’s defensive momentum.
Top Game-Changing Plays
- Alvin Kamara’s 57-yard screen TD
This play broke open the game in the second quarter. Kamara followed perfect blocking on a screen pass and weaved through defenders untouched. It highlighted the Saints’ scheming superiority and Dallas’s over-aggressive pass rush. - Rashid Shaheed’s 70-yard bomb
Carr threw a pinpoint deep ball after a play-action fake, and Shaheed beat the secondary with speed and crisp route-running. This play turned a 14-point lead into a 21-point blowout. - Paulson Adebo’s interception in the red zone
With Dallas trailing 27–10 and driving, Prescott forced a throw into double coverage. Adebo undercut the route and picked it off. That turnover killed Dallas’s comeback hopes. - Blocked PAT by the Saints special teams
This minor moment had major impact. After Dallas scored a late TD, the Saints blocked the extra point, keeping momentum fully on their side. - Fourth-down stop in third quarter
On 4th and 2 at midfield, the Saints stuffed Dowdle for no gain. This turned the ball over on downs and led to another Saints touchdown drive.
Key Takeaway:
Big plays in every phase—offense, defense, and special teams—tilted momentum permanently toward New Orleans. Dallas had no answer for the Saints’ pace, balance, and execution.
What This Game Means Going Forward
This performance sent a loud message: the Saints are for real, and the Cowboys have holes to fix.
For the Saints
- Alvin Kamara looks like an MVP candidate again.
- Derek Carr is finding rhythm with Shaheed and Olave.
- The defense is opportunistic and fast, especially in coverage.
- Confidence and playoff positioning will soar after a road win like this.
“When our playmakers play like that, we can beat anyone,” said Carr postgame.
For the Cowboys
- Dak Prescott must cut down on high-risk throws, especially under pressure.
- Running game depth is a major concern without Pollard.
- The defense gave up 6 straight TD drives—adjustments are urgently needed.
- This exposed the gap between talent and cohesion, particularly in the secondary and linebacker group.
Rest of Season Outlook:
- The Saints have favorable matchups ahead (Panthers, Bears), and a 3-0 start is likely.
- Dallas must regroup quickly before taking on division rivals.
Key Takeaway:
This was more than a bad day for Dallas—it revealed structural weaknesses. Meanwhile, the Saints have proved they are no longer a fringe playoff team—they’re NFC contenders.
FAQs About Saints vs Cowboys Match Player Stats
1. Who was the top performer in the Saints vs Cowboys game?
Alvin Kamara was the top performer with over 170 total yards and 4 total touchdowns. He dominated on the ground and through the air, making him the most impactful player of the night.
2. How did Derek Carr perform in the game?
Carr was extremely efficient. He completed 11 of 16 passes for 243 yards, 2 touchdowns, and had a passer rating of 125.0. He also rushed for a short touchdown and was not sacked once.
3. Why did the Cowboys defense struggle so much?
The Cowboys defense struggled due to poor tackling, missed assignments, and inability to pressure Carr. They allowed New Orleans to score on their first six drives and couldn’t stop Kamara.
4. Did CeeDee Lamb have a good game?
Yes, Lamb had 90 yards and a touchdown, including a 65-yard bomb. However, he was limited outside of that play due to the Saints’ double coverage and pressure on Dak Prescott.
5. What does this game mean for fantasy football?
Kamara was a fantasy goldmine with 35+ points in most formats. Carr and Shaheed offered strong value as starters or streamers. On the other hand, Dallas’s defense and supporting cast underperformed.
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