{
  "id": 4090873,
  "title": "Zach Wilson leads winning drive for Saints, who are unsettled at backup QB along with Cowboys",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/29/zach-wilson-leads-winning-drive-for-saints-who-are-unsettled-at",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-08-29T03:12:25.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Winnipeg Free Press",
    "slug": "winnipeg-free-press",
    "url": "https://www.winnipegfreepress.com/sports/football/nfl/2026/08/28/zach-wilson-leads-winning-drive-for-saints-who-are-unsettled-at-backup-qb-along-with-cowboys"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "In a preseason finale game between the New Orleans Saints and the Dallas Cowboys on Friday night, Zach Wilson pulled off a drive that led to Daniel Carlson's 53-yard field goal with just 1:55 remaining on the clock. This result saw the Saints edge out the Cowboys with a score of 27-24.\n\nThe game offered the teams a final opportunity to evaluate their quarterback situation. Sam Howell, for the Cowboys, completed two touchdown passes in the fourth quarter and managed a tying 2-point conversion run. The victory erased a 15-point deficit for Dallas, but they failed to secure their first undefeated preseason in 20 years.\n\nNew Orleans' Spencer Rattler scored a 8-yard keeper touchdown while orchestrating three first-half scoring drives. The Saints, who have only won once in preseason games since 2015, managed to avoid a winless preseason for the first time since 2015.\n\nBoth teams were in contention for the backup quarterback spot. Zach Wilson, who is Tyler Shough's backup in New Orleans, threw for 93 yards. Sam Howell, the Cowboys' backup QB and former backup for Dak Prescott, threw for 155 yards with touchdown passes of 26 and 21 yards.\n\nA few other highlights included Spencer Rattler's 4-yard keeper touchdown, Barion Brown's first touchdown run of 7 yards, and a short altercation in the end zone that led to an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty for Saints cornerback Isaac Yiadom. The preseason matchup between these teams followed a fight-filled joint practice at the Cowboys' California training camp facility, which resulted in a $500,000 fine for both teams.",
  "summary": null,
  "key_points": [
    "Zach Wilson leads game-winning drive for Saints",
    "Saints defeat Cowboys 27-24 in preseason finale",
    "Sam Howell completes 2 TD passes for Cowboys"
  ],
  "editors_take": "The Saints' victory, led by Zach Wilson's clutch drive, solidifies their backup quarterback situation, while the Cowboys' loss leaves their own quarterback depth chart unsettled heading into the regular season.",
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Yahoo Sports",
        "title": "Zach Wilson leads winning drive for Saints, who are unsettled at backup QB along with Cowboys",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/29/zach-wilson-leads-winning-drive-for-saints-who-are-unsettled-at-4092764",
        "published": "2026-08-29T03:10:50.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}