The Superdome is a lot quieter than one might have expected at this point, and the reason is a two-touchdown lead on the part of the Dallas Cowboys.
Dallas took the crowd out of the game early, forcing two three-and-outs on New Orleans' first two possessions--a feat that had not been accomplished in 2009--and scoring two touchdowns in the first quarter. Tony Romo wasted little time getting Miles Austin involved, hitting the receiver for a 49-yard touchdown to cap Dallas's first drive, which lasted all of five plays.
The Cowboys would need eight plays to cash in on their next possession, with Marion Barber trotting into the end zone to give Dallas a 14-point lead.
Garrett Hartley and Nick Folk would trade field goals in the second quarter to keep the Dallas lead at 14 going into half.
The defense has been impressive early for Dallas, with Mike Jenkins (interception) and DeMarcus Ware (forced fumble) providing timely turnovers. The three points on the board at intermission are the fewest of any first half this season for New Orleans.
