There is real bad blood in this one. The Cowboys and Saints were each fined $500,000 for fighting during their joint practice last week, and now they meet Friday night at AT&T Stadium with kickoff at 8 p.m. ET. Dak Prescott is not playing — he has not appeared in a preseason game since 2019 — which puts the spotlight squarely on the quarterbacks behind him and a Saints quarterback room that has been a disaster all summer.
Saints at Cowboys: How to Watch the Grudge Match
Kickoff is 8 p.m. ET (7 p.m. CT) Friday from AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. The game airs on NFL+ and in local markets. The joint-practice fight adds an edge to what is normally a sleepy exhibition, and both teams have roster decisions to make next week.
Joe Milton III Is Pulling Ahead in Dallas
Joe Milton III looks like the favorite for the Cowboys' backup job after a three-touchdown performance against Arizona last week. Coach Brian Schottenheimer still calls the competition with Sam Howell neck and neck, but Milton's playmaking has been impossible to ignore. Both quarterbacks are expected to play about a half, giving each a real chance to state his case.
Milton's arm strength has been the talk of camp, and his mobility adds a dimension the Cowboys have not had at the position in years. A strong night could all but clinch the No. 2 job behind Prescott.
New Orleans' Quarterback Mess Is the Other Story
The Saints' quarterback situation has gone from unsettled to concerning. Spencer Rattler threw a 100-yard pick-six in a 34-0 loss to the Rams' backups, and Zach Wilson added an ugly interception of his own. Tyler Shough still has not taken a preseason snap. In a tune-up game where most teams are looking for answers, New Orleans is still looking for a pulse.
The Saints need someone — anyone — to move the offense efficiently. Friday night against Dallas' backups is the last chance to build any confidence before the regular season, and the joint-practice fight only raises the temperature on a game that already feels like it matters more than a typical exhibition.
Saints at Cowboys Prediction: Dallas Wins the War of Attrition
Dallas has the better quarterback situation with Milton and Howell both capable of running the offense. New Orleans has been a mess at the position, and the 34-0 loss to the Rams exposed the depth issues across the roster. Home field, the emotional edge from the practice fight, and a healthier quarterback room all point the same direction.
Prediction: Cowboys 27, Saints 13. Joe Milton III adds to his preseason highlight reel, and Dallas' backups outclass a Saints team still searching for answers under center.
Grant McAllister
Grant McAllister brings a seasoned eye to sports coverage, blending market context, team trends, and matchup details into clear analysis for everyday readers.