Cowboys hold down Saints early

Early on in New Orleans, the Cowboys are on top of the Saints, 14-0, thanks to Dallas' defense forcing a pair of three-and-outs on New Orleans first two drives. In the mean time, the Cowboys offense has been churning down the field for a pair of touchdowns.

To give you an idea of the fast-starters that the Saints have been all season, here's a look at the results of their opening drives in 2009:

Week 1: vs. Detroit	Touchdown
Week 2: at Philadelphia	Touchdown
Week 3: at Buffalo	Touchdown
Week 4: vs. N.Y. Jets	Field Goal
Week 6: vs. N.Y. Giants	Touchdown
Week 7: at Miami	Punt
Week 8: vs. Atlanta	Touchdown
Week 9: vs. Carolina	Punt
Week 10: at St. Louis	Intercepted Pass
Week 11: at Tampa Bay	Punt
Week 12: vs. New England	Field Goal
Week 13: at Washington	Punt
Week 14: at Atlanta	Field Goal
Week 15: vs. Dallas	Punt

The Cowboys forced the Saints to punt on their first two possessions for only the second time this season. Both possessions were 3-and-out drives of 9- and 7-yards. As for the Cowboys, they scored touchdowns on their first two drives of the game for an early 14-0 lead.

Marion Barber plunged into the end zone from three yards out after struggling last week to punch in a ball from inside the five yard line on four straight carries.

As for the Cowboys, the two touchdowns on the first two drives were a refreshing change after having struggles on the offensive side of the ball the last two weeks. In fact, it was the first time Dallas scored on its first two drives since Week 1, and they did it while the defense kept a high-powered Saints team in check. Here is how Dallas's first two drives have gone so far this season:

Week 1: at Tampa Bay	Field Goal	Field Goal
Week 2: vs. N.Y. Giants	Punt	Touchdown
Week 3: vs. Carolina	Missed FG	Punt
Week 4: at Denver	Punt	Field Goal
Week 5: at Kansas City	Punt	Missed FG
Week 7: vs. Atlanta	Punt	Punt
Week 8: vs. Seattle	Punt	Touchdown
Week 9: at Philadelphia	Punt	Touchdown
Week 10: at Green Bay	Missed FG	Punt
Week 11: vs. Washington	Punt	Fumble
Week 12: vs. Oakland	Punt	Punt
Week 13: at N.Y. Giants	Punt	Punt
Week 14: vs. San Diego	Field Goal	Punt
Week 15: at New Orleans	Touchdown	Touchdown