After beating their first three opponents by a combined 51 points, the Dallas Cowboys will ratchet up the difficulty setting this week, as they travel to New Orleans to face the 2-1 Saints.

Even without Drew Brees, the Saints easily will be the most talented team on the Cowboys schedule thus far, as evidenced by their 33-27 win over the Seattle Seahawks last week.

Last week also removed most of the fear surrounding the New Orleans offense in Brees' absence. Thirty-three points may seem like a lot, but the Saints' first two touchdowns came off a punt return on special teams and a forced fumble on defense. In all, New Orleans accumulated just 265 total yards while going 3 for 11 on third-down conversions.

It was basically the Alvin Kamara show for the New Orleans offense against Seattle, as the third-year running back accumulated 155 of the team's 265 yards -- 58% of the team's total yards.

On the other side of the ball, Cameron Jordan is the Saint who should scare the Cowboys most. Last year against Dallas, the Saints defensive end finished with four pressures, two sacks and three stops, as Jordan was a true nuisance for the Cowboys offensive line.

The Saints defense has underperformed through three weeks, allowing at least 27 points in each game thus far. Moreover, the Saints rank 28th in defense DVOA (defense-adjusted value over average), per Football Outsiders. For comparison's sake, the Cowboys rank 14th in defense DVOA.

On paper, this seems like a great opportunity for the Cowboys to go into a hostile environment and level up to 4-0 on the season, which would create a nice cushion for the Cowboys in the NFC East.

Having said that, it's time to get bold, so let's dive into a few predictions for Sunday night's action.

Ezekiel Elliott outgains Alvin Kamara

Most of the talk surrounding this game has centered on how the Cowboys can slow down Alvin Kamara, but can the Saints slow down Ezekiel Elliott?

Through three games, the Saints rank 29th in rush defense DVOA, 26th in rushing yards per game allowed, 28th in yards per carry allowed (5.1). This should make the Cowboys offense salivate, as it currently ranks first in rush offense DVOA, per Football Outsiders.

The Saints LB unit particularly struggles against the run, as they are slow to pursue, struggle to get off blocks and are easily fooled by misdirection.

Dallas' frequent shifts and pre-snap motion make things tough for opposing defenses and that should continue against New Orleans. Don't be surprised if the confusion created by Dallas' pre-snap movement creates some favorable running situations for Ezekiel Elliott.

Here is the rushing success rates against NO by direction, per Sharp Football Stats.https://t.co/uqeMinceKr pic.twitter.com/YMBEzWiicz — All22Hype (@All22Hype) September 26, 2019

Furthermore, look for the Cowboys to attack this New Orleans defense on the edges, as it allows a 60% success rate (explanation on success rates) to the left edge and an absurd 82% success rate to the right edge.

If New Orleans can't get penetration up front, it's going to have a rough day slowing down Elliott on the ground.

Inside zone read is never a bad call on 3rd-and-short. The zone read holds Kerrigan long enough to create an alley for Zeke to hit when he cuts backside.



Impressive burst from the $90M man. pic.twitter.com/cej3pXWuEJ — John Owning (@JohnOwning) September 16, 2019

Moreover, given that Cameron Jordan is the New Orleans defender most capable of blowing up the Cowboys offense, look for the Cowboys to try to slow down Jordan by making him the unblocked read-man on zone reads.

It may seem perplexing to leave a defense's best player unblocked, but the duality of zone reads should make Jordan wrong no matter what he does. If Jordan stays home to guard against Dak Prescott's legs, then Elliott gets the ball. If Jordan crashes on Elliott, then Prescott can take off and gain chunk yardage.

On top of that, don't be surprised if Elliott sees some targets in the passing game as well. The Cowboys love to try to create big plays using screens, but don't be surprised if Elliott is targeted often as an outlet versus pressure.

Last year, Elliott finished with 135 total yards on 29 total touches. Expect Elliott to be a little bit more efficient Sunday, as he outperforms Kamara in a duel between two of the best running backs in the NFL.

Cowboys' defense holds Kamara under 100 total yards

With Drew Brees injured, the Saints will likely try to funnel the ball to their stud running back, Alvin Kamara.

Against the Seahawks, a team that plays a similar defensive scheme (Kris Richard comes from the Pete Carroll coaching tree), Kamara received the ball on 26 (including targets that went incomplete) of New Orleans' 50 offensive plays.

To the Cowboys' credit, they are one of the few teams that have had success slowing down Kamara. Last year, Dallas held Kamara to 72 total yards (36 yards rushing and 36 yards receiving) on 22 touches (including targets that went incomplete).

Exhibit E.



More evidence of Jaylon Smith speed to the sideline. Against most LBs, Kamara walks into the end zone here, but not against Jaylon Smith. He erases the missed tackle and prevents the TD. pic.twitter.com/ulTGY9QMZb — John Owning (@JohnOwning) May 31, 2019

The Cowboys were able to slow Kamara on first and second downs on account of fantastic performances from Jaylon Smith and Leighton Vander Esch, as both were fast to flow to the ball and reliable tacklers once they arrived.

Leighton Vander Esch makes tackling Alvin Kamara in space look WAY too easy. Always plays balanced, which allows him to react to whatever move Kamara may use to elude him. #DallasCowboys pic.twitter.com/aJHfb3NTkQ — John Owning (@JohnOwning) November 30, 2018

The third-year stud is one of the most elusive runners in the NFL with otherworldly balance to boot. Therefore, when defenders fail to come to balance at the tackle point and look for the big hit, they are easily eluded by Kamara. Last year, Smith and Vander Esch were mindful to eschew the big hit against Kamara, which is a big reason why Dallas was able to bottle him up. They will need to repeat that this year, or Kamara could be in for a big day.

On third down passing situations, the Cowboys made an adjustment to bring Jourdan Lewis on the field to provide man coverage on Kamara, and it worked to perfection, as Lewis allowed just two catches (on four targets) for nine yards while snagging an interception of his own.

Jourdan Lewis' tackling ability is what gives you the confidence to leave him one-on-one in coverage with Alvin Kamara. How many teams can say that about their No. 4 CB? #DallasCowboys pic.twitter.com/beTLJ45ilJ — John Owning (@JohnOwning) December 1, 2018

Most teams fear shadowing Kamara with a cornerback because most cornerbacks struggle to tackle. Lewis is not most cornerbacks, however, as his tackling ability is one of his best traits, which reveals why Dallas is comfortable shadowing Kamara with a 5-foot-10, 195-pound cornerback.

Don't be surprised if the Cowboys opt to use this strategy again, as Lewis has already proven capable in this role before.

With dynamic young linebackers and a reliable tackling No. 4 cornerback, the Cowboys are one of the few teams in the NFL built to slow down a running back such as Kamara, which is why the Cowboys could hold him under 100 yards Sunday night.

La'el Collins holds Cameron Jordan sackless with 2 or fewer pressures

Last year against the Saints, La'el Collins got taken to school by Cameron Jordan, as the Cowboys right tackle allowed two sacks and a bevy of pressures to the All-Pro defensive end.

While the Cowboys will look to recreate their success against Kamara, don't expect Jordan to recreate his dominance against Collins this year.

Here's every snap where #Cowboys RT La'el Collins is against Washington EDGE Ryan Kerrigan in traditional pass protection.



Collins did a great job protecting his inside edge, forcing Kerrigan to take the outside track. Also saw Collins use the bait technique a couple times. pic.twitter.com/rbxjTn8m5z — John Owning (@JohnOwning) September 18, 2019

Redskins edge defender Ryan Kerrigan is another pass rusher who had a ton of success against Collins in the past, but he was held in check by Collins in Week 2. Finally fully heathy, Collins looks like a new man this year, as he's arguably been the Cowboys' best offensive lineman through three games.

La'el Collins put together another great performance vs MIA, continuing his stellar start to 2019. Collins looks so much more balanced in his pass sets & is using a variety of hand techniques, including snatch & trap, baits & independent hands. Powerful in the run game. #Cowboys pic.twitter.com/Dii8v6QYfY — John Owning (@JohnOwning) September 25, 2019

Collins' balance in his pass sets is much better than in the past, which enables him to sustain blocks better and recover if initially beaten. Collins still carries incredible power in his hands, but he's doing a much better job of mixing his strikes to keep defenders off-balance.

Collins still has a tendency to drop his head and really load up on his two-hand strikes, which leaves him susceptible to quick counters, but he hasn't relied on it as heavily as he did in the past.

La'el Collins using a bait technique to defeat Charles Harris' cross-chop club attempt. Feints a two-hand strike to draw out Harris' hands, giving Collings an easy target to latch once Harris whiffs. pic.twitter.com/07llianYwc — John Owning (@JohnOwning) September 24, 2019

Nowadays, Collins is using bait techniques to draw out a defender's hands, making it easy for Collins to latch once a defender whiffs with his hand technique.

Collins is going to need every tool in his box to slow down Jordan, who may be the only defensive end in the NFL who can challenge DeMarcus Lawrence for most well-rounded. Collins is going to have to continually mix up his technique to keep Jordan guessing because if the former All-Pro starts to get a bead on Collins, then it's going to be another long day for the Cowboys right tackle even though he's much improved. Jordan is just that good.

Still, with Dallas' heavy use of play-action along with Collins improved play, don't be surprised if the Cowboys keep Jordan in check, one year after he almost wrecked the Cowboys' day.

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Twitter: @JohnOwning