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Like a pitcher who loses a perfect game in the ninth inning, the New Orleans Saints were treated to a round of respectful applause when they walked off the Superdome field for the final time Saturday night.

The thing is the Saints didn’t lose a perfect game. They were, after all, far from perfect in a 24-17 loss against the Dallas Cowboys.

But because they weren’t perfect, mainly with three turnovers, some costly breakdowns in pass protection and a third-down conversion rate that was anemic at best, their hopes of a 16-0 season are gone.

Before heading for the nearest exit, thousands of fans stuck around to thank the Saints for a 13-0 start — a ride that only six other teams have enjoyed in the 90-year history of the NFL.

Yes, it was a lot of fun while it lasted. But after playing with fire the past two weeks, the mistakes finally caught up with the Saints.

Winning by a field goal against the Washington Redskins and Atlanta Falcons on the road kept their record spotless until everything came unraveled over a three-hour period.

“Certainly, we did not play our best game tonight … far from it,” said quarterback Drew Brees. “The Cowboys were ready and they came in and played a great game. They played better than us.”

While the Cowboys did play better on their end, the Saints didn’t help themselves — especially on offense.

A Brees interception choked off one scoring threat with less than two minutes to play in the first half, then a sack and lost fumble later in the half led to a gift Cowboys’ field goal and 17-3 lead.

Finally, another sack and fumble with just six seconds remaining in the game shut the door on the Saints.

Just before that fumble, the Saints were beginning to think another late win might be in the cards when Nick Folk’s 24-yard field-goal attempt that would have given the Cowboys a 10-point lead clanked off the right upright.

It was the same scenario that helped the Saints eek out a win over the Redskins just two weeks earlier. But there would be no encore this time.

“I thought we had a chance,” said free safety Darren Sharper. “We did, but we didn’t capitalize. But that carried throughout the game. We had chances to make plays in all three phases of the game and we didn’t do it. It’ll catch up to you at the end of the day when you do that.”

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www.sportsshooter.com/johnjcoleman

" Anyone can take a picture Only a Photographer can take a photograph "

Rugby Saint II

Mistakes were bound to catch up to the Saints. We've made a lot of mistakes lately that are uncharacteristic this season.

MatthewT

Honestly, it was a tribute to how good the Saints are that they did not get blown out in this game. The Cowboys seriously outplayed the Saints, but still the Saints had a chance to steal it at the end, just didn't work out.