INSIDE SLANT

NFL Team Report - Dallas Cowboys</h2><br>Cowboys, Saints matchup perfectly timed for prime time<p></p> Earlier this month, when the Dallas Cowboys lost by two touchdowns at home to the Tennessee Titans, and the New Orleans Saints signed former Dallas wide receiver Dez Bryant less than 48-hours later, it looked like their Week 13 Thursday night game would have a certain appeal.<p></p> Less than three weeks ago, football fans could look forward to Dez Bryant's triumphant return to Dallas as a member of the Saints.<p></p> But, as often happens in the NFL, the scenario changed drastically in a few days. Bryant suffered an Achilles injury in his first week of practice in New Orleans, negating that angle for hyping the Dallas-New Orleans game.<p></p> And then Dallas got hot and won three straight, pulling even with Washington atop the NFC East.<p></p> Now, Saints fans, Cowboys fans, and NFL fans in general get the tasty post-Thanksgiving treat of a meaningful Thursday night football game.<p></p> Of course, the Saints (10-1) are the favorite in this one and, as the view from here goes, to reach the NFC Championship Game.<p></p> Dallas defensive coordinator Rod Marinelli put the challenge in front of the Cowboys succinctly.<p></p> "Our hands are full, but we're looking forward to it," Marinelli said.<p></p> Even better for Dallas, there's not much to lose as it hosts New Orleans. A win, stopping the Saints' 10-game winning streak, would be a boon. But a loss wouldn't sink Dallas too far in the NFC East standings, especially with Washington and Philadelphia playing each other on Monday Night Football.<p></p> It's hard to imagine a better time for this Cowboys' team to take on one of the NFL's best.<p></p> "We're getting better each and every week," Dallas quarterback Dak Prescott said. "That's what you want to do, that's what you need to do this time of year. November football, that's as good as it gets. Playing a team like we're playing, we're excited about it."<p></p> SERIES HISTORY: 29th regular-season meeting. Cowboys lead series, 16-12. The Cowboys-Saints series eerily mirrors Dallas's struggles since it last won a Super Bowl to finish the 1995 season. The Cowboys were 14-3 against New Orleans up through their three Super Bowl wins in the 1990s. But since Dallas last won it all, the Saints have won nine and lost just two. </div> <div class="flex gap-2"> <div class="font-bold text-gray-600">The Sports Xchange</div> </div> <div id="comments" class="pt-6"></div> </div> </div> <div class="py-6 space-y-6"> <div class="space-y-4"> <h2 class="md:col-span-2 lg:col-span-3 font-bold text-xl text-gray-800">Recent Stories</h2> <a href="/feature/testing-buffalo-bill-page" class="group flex flex-col bg-gray-100 hover:bg-white transition rounded-lg overflow-hidden shadow"> <div class="flex flex-col gap-2 p-6"> <h3 class="font-bold text-lg text-gray-800 group-hover:text-gray-700">Testing Buffalo Bill Page</h3> <div class="text-gray-600 group-hover:text-gray-500 line-clamp-6"> Joe Horrigan knows the Buffalo Bills </div> </div> </a> <a href="/feature/06e3032cec6e442ab60a7fd8ae1b3701" class="group flex flex-col bg-gray-100 hover:bg-white transition rounded-lg overflow-hidden shadow"> <div class="flex flex-col gap-2 p-6"> <h3 class="font-bold text-lg text-gray-800 group-hover:text-gray-700">Steelers positional analysis: Kenny Pickett stands alone in QB room</h3> <div class="text-gray-600 group-hover:text-gray-500 line-clamp-6"> 2/17/2024If the Steelers were concerned about the uncertain future at quarterback when Ben Roethlisberger retired, the outlook at the position might not be any more ... </div> </div> </a> <a href="/feature/07f24b7086b24e9e83c29e8bf9cd913b" class="group flex flex-col bg-gray-100 hover:bg-white transition rounded-lg overflow-hidden shadow"> <div class="flex flex-col gap-2 p-6"> <h3 class="font-bold text-lg text-gray-800 group-hover:text-gray-700">49ers coach Kyle Shanahan doesn’t deserve criticism since Super Bowl</h3> <div class="text-gray-600 group-hover:text-gray-500 line-clamp-6"> Globe StaffUpdated February 17, 2024, 9:38 a.m.Kyle Shanahan has been on the defensive all week following the 49ers’ 25-22 overtime loss to the Chiefs in the Super ... </div> </div> </a> <a href="/feature/2ae9263e12c74de88c5fb4aa552a1f3e" class="group flex flex-col bg-gray-100 hover:bg-white transition rounded-lg overflow-hidden shadow"> <div class="flex flex-col gap-2 p-6"> <h3 class="font-bold text-lg text-gray-800 group-hover:text-gray-700">New Raiders GM expected to be aggressive in search for top QB</h3> <div class="text-gray-600 group-hover:text-gray-500 line-clamp-6"> February 17, 2024 - 4:19 PMIf Tom Telesco’s past offers clues about his future, expect the Raiders’ new general manager to be aggressive in bringing in a top-level ... </div> </div> </a> <a href="/features?skip=22" class="group flex items-center justify-center gap-2 bg-gray-100 hover:bg-white transition rounded-lg shadow px-3.5 py-2.5 text-gray-800 hover:text-gray-700 font-medium"> <span>Read More Stories</span> <span class="transition-transform group-hover:translate-x-1 motion-reduce:transform-none"><i class="fa-solid fa-arrow-right"></i></span> </a> </div> <div class="space-y-4"> <h2 class="md:col-span-2 lg:col-span-3 font-bold text-xl text-gray-800">Latest Player Notes</h2> <a href="/note/65f70668f166e2567ab51b31" class="group flex flex-col bg-gray-100 hover:bg-white transition rounded-lg overflow-hidden shadow"> <div class="flex flex-col gap-2 p-6"> <h3 class="font-bold text-lg text-gray-800 group-hover:text-gray-700">How a Wisconsin legend got his German protégé into Badgers pro day</h3> <div class="text-gray-600 group-hover:text-gray-500 line-clamp-6"> <span class="font-light"> </span> Mar 15, 2024 Marlon Werthmann put his life on hold for the opportunity in front of him Friday at the McClain Center.Werthmann ... </div> </div> </a> <a href="/note/65f70667f166e2567ab51b24" class="group flex flex-col bg-gray-100 hover:bg-white transition rounded-lg overflow-hidden shadow"> <div class="flex flex-col gap-2 p-6"> <h3 class="font-bold text-lg text-gray-800 group-hover:text-gray-700">Why former Wisconsin football running back Braelon Allen didn't run the 40 at pro day</h3> <div class="text-gray-600 group-hover:text-gray-500 line-clamp-6"> <span class="font-light"> </span> Mar 15, 2024 Braelon Allen’s sweat covered his shirt and dripped off his beard as he approached a group of reporters Friday.The ... </div> </div> </a> <a href="/note/65f70667f166e2567ab51b11" class="group flex flex-col bg-gray-100 hover:bg-white transition rounded-lg overflow-hidden shadow"> <div class="flex flex-col gap-2 p-6"> <h3 class="font-bold text-lg text-gray-800 group-hover:text-gray-700">How can UW recruit its best class ever? 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