Saints edge Cowboys 27-24 in preseason finale as roster cuts loom
The New Orleans Saints defeated the Dallas Cowboys 27-24 in their final preseason game, finishing with a 1-2 record. Kicker Daniel Carlson made a 53-yard field goal with under two minutes left to secure the win. Head coach Kellen Moore praised his team's effort as the roster must be trimmed to 53 players by Sunday.
The Saints built a 24-9 lead through three quarters before Dallas rallied to tie the game in the fourth. Quarterback Zach Wilson then engineered a late drive spanning the final six minutes, setting up Daniel Carlson's decisive 53-yard field goal. Carlson, a former All-Pro with the Raiders, converted from a distance that appeared to have additional margin to spare.
Spencer Rattler directed the first-half offense efficiently, completing 8 of 10 passes for 79 yards while the Saints scored on four of five possessions under his command. Audric Estime paced the ground game with 46 yards on four carries, while Kendre Miller added 42 yards on nine attempts. Barion Brown contributed a 7-yard touchdown on a jet sweep.
This game carries significant weight for the roughly 40 players on the roster bubble, as the Saints must cut to 53 players by Sunday. For those individuals, preseason performance directly shapes career trajectories and livelihoods. The victory may also provide momentum and confidence heading into the regular season, though its broader societal impact remains limited to fan engagement and local economic activity surrounding the team.