Winless Saints still confident as Cowboys come to town

NEW ORLEANS (AP) - Not so long ago, the Saints looked virtually unbeatable in the Superdome, posting perfect home records in 2011 and 2013.

But during the second half of last season, it became apparent those days are over. The Saints (0-3) have lost six straight in the dome, where on Sunday night they'll host a Dallas Cowboys squad seeking a franchise-record 11th straight road victory.

As far as home and road results go, the trends favor Dallas (2-1). But there are other key variables in play - namely, the quarterbacks.

Drew Brees is trying to come back from a bruised rotator cuff in his right (throwing) shoulder that sidelined him for one game. The Cowboys, meanwhile, will be without Tony Romo (broken collarbone) for at least another five games, and will have to rely instead on Brandon Weeden, who has lost nine straight starts dating back to December 2012 and has more career interceptions (29) than touchdowns (27).

Brees said the Saints are taking a level-headed approach to their winless record; they're desperate, not discouraged.

"Every one of those games you say we had a chance to win legitimately at the end," Brees said. "It's not like we're walking away from these games having been blown out.

"Despite all of our mistakes, we're still giving ourselves a chance, so just imagine if we could clean up a few of these things," Brees added. "That's the stuff that's encouraging."

After reviewing how Saints backup quarterback Luke McCown passed for more than 300 yards in Carolina last weekend, Cowboys coach Jason Garrett figured his defense would have its hands full in the Superdome, whether Brees plays or not.

"Obviously Drew Brees is one of the best quarterbacks to play in the game. He's a fantastic player. He's run that system for a number of years now, but Luke McCown played last week and did a really good job," Garrett said.

Some key story lines when the Cowboys visit the Saints:

RUN AGROUND: This time a year ago, DeMarco Murray was on his way to an NFL-record eight straight 100-yard games to start the season for Dallas. His replacements don't have one yet, even after Joseph Randle had 85 yards with 11 minutes left in the first quarter of last week's 39-28 loss to Atlanta. Darren McFadden hasn't had more than 10 carries in a game. Although the Cowboys boosted their per carry average to 4.1 from 3.4 with good numbers against the Falcons, they had minus-4 yards in the second half, when they were outscored 22-0. "We have to run the ball better," Garrett said.

EVOLVING DEFENSE: The Saints hope to get a couple of defensive starters back from injury. Cornerback Keenan Lewis and free safety Jairus Byrd both have been practicing on a limited basis this week. Byrd has been noncommittal about his prospects for coming back, but Lewis has all but guaranteed he'll play. Meanwhile, rookie defensive lineman Bobby Richardson is in line for more playing time following Wednesday's trade that sent Akiem Hicks to the New England Patriots in exchange for tight end Michael Hoomanawanui.

ONE MORE WEEK: The Dallas defense is a week away from the end of four-game suspensions for linebacker Rolando McClain (substance abuse) and defensive end Greg Hardy (domestic violence). The Cowboys held up well for two weeks, when they led the league in run defense. But the Falcons rushed for 158 yards, and Julio Jones had his third straight 100-yard receiving game.

SPILLER'S HEALTH: Saints running back C.J. Spiller is now in his third week back from a knee injury, and Saints coach Sean Payton seemed to regret that the Saints' versatile new running back wasn't more involved in the game plan against Tampa Bay. "He is fully healthy and I probably didn't get him enough touches last week," Payton said.

Added Brees: "We didn't get a whole lot of time together during training camp, so I felt like we're just starting to see what C.J. can bring to the table. ... A lot of guys don't want to cover him and see him in space. He has that breakaway ability and he can turn it on pretty quick."

ROAD WARRIORS: Dallas' last road loss in the regular season was Dec. 9, 2013, at Chicago (45-28). The Cowboys had their first 8-0 road record last season. The Cowboys have twice previously won 10 straight regular-season road games, in 1968-69 and 2006-07.

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AP Sports Writer Schuyler Dixon in Dallas contributed to this report.