New Orleans-Dallas defensive coordinator Dan Quinn had to replace Mike McCarthy as the acting head coach and enjoy sideline vision because the unit he usually supervised released the Cowboys from their recent coma through a series of important games.

CeeDee Lamb is 122 yards away from the melee, Tony Pollard completed a 58-yard touchdown, and the Dallas defense created a kickoff and three interceptions in the fourth quarter of a 27-17 victory over the New Orleans Saints on Thursday night. .

The Cowboys (8-4) intercepted Saints quarterback Tesom Hill four times-3 times in the last 6 minutes and 32 seconds of the game, including defensive tackle Carlos Watkins at the screen The No. 6 pick in the pass, with 2 to 27-10:52 left.

"I finally saw his emotions and expressions on the sidelines," Dallas rookie outside linebacker Mika Parsons said of Quinn, a former Atlanta head coach who usually defends from a booth in Dallas. "It's great to see the smile on his face, it's great to see the board win again."

As COVID-19 tested positive, McCarthy and five assistants failed to make the trip.

"I like to do hard things with a group of people, and this is one of those moments," Quinn said with relief. "We want to make sure that Mike and all the people we missed, we have their support. Honestly, this is the only thing I worry about. I don't want to let them down."

The Saints (5 wins and 7 losses) made the double-threatening Hill start for the first time this season, hoping that he can help New Orleans break the four-game defeat. He was effective in sprinting, passing for 264 yards, two touchdowns — 101 yards — and an early injury to his bowler's middle finger.

"He has a lot of courage to play," Saints coach Sean Payton said.

But it turns out that Hill made too many mistakes, because the Saints-the National League Southern champions of the previous four seasons-lost their fifth consecutive game for the first time since 2005. That season was before Payton took over in New Orleans. Season.

"It's very frustrating. This is unfamiliar territory to us," Hill said. "This is my fifth year, and I haven't experienced anything like this since I became a saint."

Dak Prescott passed the ball for 238 yards and a 1-yard touchdown to Michael Gallup.

Prescott was intercepted by Marshon Lattimore in the middle of the fourth quarter, but when Jourdan Lewis hit Hill's arm with the ball and Damontae Kazee intercepted, the Cowboys cancelled the error.

That was the first of Dallas' three late interceptions. The Saints’ next offense was stalled by the draft of Trevon Diggs, who ranked ninth in the league. After that, Watkins' interception appeared on the drive.

"When the ball is in the air, our players go to catch the ball," Parsons said. His 10th sack of the season also ended the Saints' threat early in the fourth quarter. "We tried our best to contain them. I mean, he is running out of the pocket, and we are trying to make him slow down and get the ball back."

Saints receiver Deonte Harris turned the short pass into a 70-yard TD for the final score of the game.

The Saints started to be slow throughout the skiing process, and this game was no exception, as they failed to score in the first quarter for the fifth consecutive game.

The Saints’ first scoring threat came from their second offense, but Brettmacher’s 56-yard shot attempt went wide to the right.

Dallas broke through in the third possession. Prescott made a 41-yard pass to Amari Cooper, a horizontal pass to Lamb, and a 33-yard pass to New Orleans. Then Prescott pitched to the right corner, where Gallup jumped to cornerback Bradley Roby (Bradley Roby), twisted the ball, and almost touched his feet in bounds. .

The Saints tied the score with Lil'Jordan Humphrey's 24-yard TD catch early in the second quarter, but never led.

After Greg Zullein's 55-yard field goal gave Dallas a 10-7 lead, the Saints were threatened when they opened the Dallas No. 26 late in the second half. But Hill’s pass to the left touchline was pushed down by receiver Kenny Steele and was intercepted at position 5 by Jayron Kearse. Before going out of bounds, he dragged his toes on the turf. Diving and caught the floating ball.

The game lasted until the third quarter, when Pollard slipped an arm in the backcourt and moved away from the others, giving Dallas a 20-10 lead.

Dallas did not report any injuries during the game.

Saints: A few hours before the game, the Saints placed defensive end Tano Capasagnon on the injury reserve after missing the first two games due to an ankle injury. ... Juwan Johnson hurt his neck after making a 27-yard jump to catch the ball at the end of the first quarter.

Cowboys: Visit Washington on December 12.

Saints: Visit the New York Jets on December 12.

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