Saints beat Cowboys 27-24 to end the preseason

August 29, 2026 - 12:58

New Orleans wrapped up its exhibition schedule with a solid 27-24 victory over Dallas on Sunday night. The win gives the Saints a 1-2 record for the preseason, but more importantly, it offered a final look at several roster battles before cuts come due.

The game was tight throughout, with both teams trading scores in the first half. New Orleans leaned on a balanced attack, mixing short passes with a steady ground game. Quarterback play was efficient, though the highlight of the night came from the defense, which forced two turnovers in the second half. A late interception set up the go-ahead field goal, and the unit held firm on Dallas' final drive to seal the win.

Head coach Dennis Allen said after the game that he was pleased with the team's composure, especially in the fourth quarter. "We wanted to see how the young guys handled pressure situations," he noted. "They stepped up."

Several undrafted rookies made strong cases for a roster spot, particularly in the secondary and along the offensive line. The kicking game also looked sharp, with the placekicker connecting on all three attempts, including a 48-yarder.

The Saints now shift focus to the regular season opener. While the preseason record is far from a perfect indicator, the team leaves with fewer question marks than they had a month ago. The final 53-man roster is due by Tuesday afternoon.