A Late-Game Thriller Ends in New Orleans' Favor
The New Orleans Saints defeated the Dallas Cowboys 27-24 on Saturday, August 29, 2026, at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. The contest featured a dramatic finish defined by a 53-yard field goal from Saints kicker Daniel Carlson, who secured the victory in the final minutes.
The game drew a crowd of 81,295 fans, with the Saints entering as the visiting team and the Cowboys as the hosts. The result improved the Cowboys' record to 2-1 while leaving the Saints at 1-2.
Scoring Sequence and Key Drives
The Saints established an early lead in the first quarter. Daniel Carlson kicked a 38-yard field goal to open the scoring, followed by Brandon Aubrey's 49-yard kick for Dallas. New Orleans then extended their advantage when Barion Brown rushed for a 7-yard touchdown, with Tanner Brown handling the extra point.
The second quarter saw a back-and-forth exchange. Aubrey connected on a 51-yard field goal, but Spencer Rattler answered with an 8-yard rushing touchdown for the Saints. Aubrey responded with a 58-yard field goal to keep Dallas within striking distance at halftime.
In the third quarter, the Saints pulled ahead significantly. Zamir White ran for an 11-yard touchdown, with Carlson kicking the extra point, making the score 24-9 in favor of New Orleans. The fourth quarter brought a dramatic shift in momentum.
Sam Howell connected with Jordan Hudson on a 26-yard pass for a touchdown, giving Dallas a 24-16 lead. Howell then found Mitch Van Vooren for a 21-yard touchdown pass, followed by a successful two-point conversion run by Howell himself, which tied the game at 24-24. With the score level, Carlson delivered the game-winner with a 53-yard field goal.
