The New Orleans Saints may be without Drew Brees for the foreseeable future, but that does not mean they are going to just lay down and accept defeat. Quite the contrary.
After learning Brees would be out for six weeks with a thumb injury, the Saints responded by coming up with a pivotal road win over the Seattle Seahawks this past weekend, as Teddy Bridgewater showed the world that he can, in fact, still play.
The victory moved New Orleans to 2-1 and allowed the club to remain in first place in the NFC South, but obviously, the Saints' job is far from done.
They will now return home to host the Dallas Cowboys in a huge test, but it's a challenge that New Orleans should be prepared for.
Here are four reasons the Saints will beat the Cowboys in Week 4:
4. Home Field
The Saints played at home in Weeks 1 and 2, going 1-1, featuring a win over the Houston Texans and a loss to the Los Angeles Rams in the game that Brees injured his thumb.
Will New Orleans lose two in a row at home? Even without Brees, it seems doubtful.
The Mercedes-Benz Superdome is a notoriously difficult place to play, and with the Saints needing a victory, it is going to take a monster effort from the Cowboys to stop them.
I understand that this isn't the same New Orleans team we are used to seeing sans Brees, but the Saints showed this past weekend that they are still a good ballclub capable of beating anyone. And they did that on the road.
3. Alvin Kamara
Alvin Kamara put forth a terrific effort in New Orleans' win in Week 3, carrying the ball 16 times for 69 yards and a touchdown and catching nine passes for 92 yards and a score.
With Brees out, the Saints will likely be relying on him even more than usual over the next several weeks, and this matchup against the Cowboys is no exception.
Dallas has a very good defense, but the one time it faced a good running back in Week 1, it was gashed for 120 yards on 11 carries by Saquon Barkley of the New York Giants.
Kamara is no Barkley, but his versatility can potentially give the Cowboys problems. Look for the Saints to try and ride Kamara to victory, much like they did against the Seahawks.
2. The Saints Need it More
With Brees probably out for another five weeks, the Saints need to take advantage of every opportunity that comes their way.
All they need to do is stay afloat until Brees returns, but if they can top the Cowboys this Sunday, they could end up going something like 5-1 in their games without Brees.
Following New Orleans' matchup with Dallas, the Saints will play the Buccaneers, Jaguars, Bears, and Cardinals. Only Chicago is a tough matchup of that group, and if the Saints can get through that stretch with just one loss, they would be 6-2 by the time Brees potentially returns on Nov. 10 when they play the Falcons.
But if New Orleans loses this game? Suddenly, the NFC South bursts wide open, and a team like Atlanta can sneak in and capitalize.
1. The Cowboys haven't Been Tested Yet
Don't get me wrong: I think the Cowboys are very good. They were my preseason pick to win the NFC East, and I said all offseason that they are a darkhorse Super Bowl contender.
But they haven't been tested yet.
Their three wins have come over the Giants, Redskins, and Dolphins, all of whom have a combined record of 1-8.
I know you can only play who is on your schedule, but man; that is an easy schedule.
Meanwhile, the Saints just beat the Seahawks without Brees, and Seattle has more victories than those thee teams combined.
The Cowboys haven't really played a good team yet, so the Saints might catch them off guard.
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