Saints Three and Out

New Orleans Saints running back Mark Ingram (28) celebrates his touchdown with guard Jahri Evans (73) in the second half of an NFL football game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Mercedes-Benz Superdome in New Orleans, Sunday, Dec. 16, 2012. The Saints won 41-0. (AP Photo/Bill Haber)

1. PICKING AND GRINNING: With four interceptions against the Bucs on Sunday, the Saints have 14 this season — their most since getting 26 in 2009. They had only nine picks each of the last two seasons.

2. MOORE IS GOOD: Saints wide receiver Lance Moore had four catches last week, pushing his career total to 301. The seven-year veteran became the 22nd undrafted player since the 1970 AFL-NFL merger to reach 300.

3. HOME ON THE RANGE?: Palatial Cowboys Stadium hasn’t been a big advantage since the Cowboys went 6-2 in their first season in 2009. They’re only 11-12 since then, however, with a 4-3 mark this season.

WHO HAS THE EDGE

Offense — Saints

Defense — Cowboys

Special teams — Even

Intangibles — Cowboys

PREDICTION

The Cowboys need this one if they want to stay in the hunt for the NFC East title. They have much more to play for, and a win could set up a showdown with the Redskins next week. But the Saints aren’t going to go down easy.

COWBOYS 28, SAINTS 26

Sheldon Mickles