Five things to watch: Saints at Cowboys By Matt Mosley (1 Viewer)

[justdave]

1. What will defensive coordinator Paul Pasqualoni do to neutralize the Saints' speed on offense? Pasqualoni has played a lot more zone coverage since Wade Phillips was sent packing three weeks ago and it has paid off immediately. The Cowboys are getting more takeaways and quarterbacks appear to be more confused. With an elite passer such as Drew Brees, the Cowboys have to do things to disrupt his rhythm. That's what they did when Anthony Spencer and DeMarcus Ware got to him several times in last December's upset in New Orleans. The Saints are getting Reggie Bush back for this game, so the Cowboys have to do a good job on the screen passes. I like how cornerback Orlando Scandrick has played against screens and shorts crossing patterns lately.

2. Sean Payton has payback in mind. Jerry Jones and Payton have engaged in a prank war over the last year. They're good friends, but they also love beating each other. No matter how poorly the Cowboys have played this season, Payton always had this game circled. He remembers coming into Texas Stadium and humiliating Bill Parcells' Cowboys in his first season with New Orleans and he'll be looking to do the same to his old pal Jason Garrett.

http://espn.go.com/blog/nflnation/post/_/id/32273/five-things-to-watch-cowboys-vs-saints