The New Orleans Saints used a national stage to remind the NFL what they're capable of. It was an impressive sight to behold.
The Saints dominated an undermanned and overwhelmed Dallas Cowboys team in a 49-17 win at the Superdome on Sunday night.
This was nuclear destruction of Monte Kiffin's Cowboys defense. The Saints piled up 625 total yards and set an NFL record with 40 first downs. The total yardage was the most the NFL has seen since the San Diego Chargers hung 661 yards on the Cincinnati Bengals on Dec. 20, 1982.
Production was everywhere for the Saints. Drew Brees threw for 392 yards and four touchdowns, each to a different receiver. Even the Saints' typically demure running game went off. Mark Ingram set a career high with 145 yards and one touchdown on just 14 carries. The Saints ran for 242 yards and three TDs as a team, averaging 6.4 yards per carry.
It's almost hard to believe this was the same offense that looked completely out of sorts seven days earlier against the New York Jets.
The offense's historic effort shouldn't overshadow another exemplary effort by Rob Ryan's defense. We wouldn't blame Ryan if he shot a glance at the luxury box occupied by Jerry Jones, the man who fired him in January. Ryan's defense kept the Dallas passing attack off-balance all day, taking Dez Bryant out of the game and daring Tony Romo to beat them with his other options. It didn't happen.
The win moves the Saints to 7-2 (5-0 at home) and keeps them one game ahead of the surging Carolina Panthers in the NFC South. New Orleans is going to be a tough out in January -- especially if you catch them in their building.
When the machine is humming -- as it was Sunday -- the Saints are virtually invincible.
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