On Thanksgiving two years ago, the Saints trailed the Cowboys 27-23 when S Malcolm Jenkins ripped the ball away from receiver Roy Williams at the New Orleans 11 late in the fourth quarter.
As the offense took the field with 3:03 left, WR Lance Moore had no doubt what would happen next. The Saints drove 89 yards for the winning TD, which Moore finished off with a 12-yard reception.
“As soon as we got the turnover, we knew we were going to score,” he said. “We were down and out, but it just took one play to change that so quickly. The confidence never wavered. We just needed the opportunity.”
The Saints haven’t created those opportunities this year, but Dallas has. New Orleans has rallied from a fourth-quarter deficit only once this year -- from 24-21 to beat San Diego 31-24.
The Cowboys have done it three weeks in a row. They trailed the Eagles 24-17 and won 38-33, they trailed the Bengals 19-10 and won 20-19 and they trailed the Steelers 24-17 and won 27-24 in overtime.
“We’ve gotten to the point where we’re a mentally tough football team,” Dallas QB Tony Romo said. “I believe that when we step on the field in the fourth quarter and we’re behind 10 to 14 points, we’re going to find a way to win the ballgame. We’ve been down five or six times this year and consistently come back and (have) put ourselves in position.”
Plagued by turnovers at critical times, the Saints have lacked that confidence this year. Beating what has been the best fourth-quarter team would give them some extra belief heading into the offseason.
“I know we’ve had tough stretches at times this season,” QB Drew Brees said. “I’ve had tough stretches, but it’s all about how we want to finish.”
Containing OLBs key: Saints offensive coordinator Pete Carmichael answered quickly Friday when asked what concerned him most about Dallas’ defense. It’s pass-rushing outside LBs DeMarcus Ware and Anthony Spencer, who have combined for 21.5 sacks in the Cowboys’ 3-4 scheme.
“We’re going to have to pay particular attention to where both guys are lining up and how we can help our tackles with these guys,” Carmichael said. “They are very talented guys.”
Three years ago, Ware made two strip sacks of Brees as the Cowboys handed the Saints their first loss in 14 games, physically whipping them at the line of scrimmage. Spencer had 1.5 sacks in that game.
When the teams met a year later in Dallas, the duo combined for just one sack as Brees threw for 352 yards.
“We have all of the respect in the world for them,” Carmichael said. “We know they are going to be coming.”
Injury update: FB Jed Collins, who has missed practice with toe and knee injuries all week, will not play against Dallas.
The Saints also are banged up at running back, with Chris Ivory (hamstring) and Pierre Thomas (knee) questionable after being limited in practice Friday.
Secondary is the other trouble spot. Already without starting FS Malcolm Jenkins (knee), who is on injured reserve, the Saints might not have CB Patrick Robinson, who is questionable with a groin problem.
Interim coach Joe Vitt said OT Zach Strief participated fully Friday. He missed Sunday’s 41-0 win over Tampa Bay with a sprained ankle.
Follow Saints reporter Guerry Smith on twitter @CBSSaints.
