First-quarter update:The New Orleans Saints used a balanced attack Sunday night featuring two old favorites - Pierre Thomas and Marques Colston - to take a 7-3 lead over the Dallas Cowboys at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome.
Drew Brees capped an 80-yard, nine-play drive with a 22-yard strike to Colston for a touchdown and a 7-3 lead. The play was set up by some hard running by Thomas.
Dallas struck first on a 37-yard Dan Bailey field goal that was set up with Darren Sproles fumbled a Cowboys punt.
Key stats: Drew Brees, 8 of 10 for 71 yards and one TD; Marques Colston, four catches for 55 yards and a TD; Pierre Thomas, five carries for 35 yards. Cowboys, Tony Romo, two of three for 12 yards. DeMarco Murray, eight carries for 59 yards.
