New Orleans Saints vs. Dallas Cowboys: 5 Bold predictions for Week 13

PHILADELPHIA, PA - NOVEMBER 11: Outside linebacker Leighton Vander Esch #55 of the Dallas Cowboys celebrates making an interception against quarterback Carson Wentz #11 of the Philadelphia Eagles (not pictured) during the first quarter at Lincoln Financial Field on November 11, 2018 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) /

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NEW ORLEANS, LA – NOVEMBER 18: Michael Thomas #13 of the New Orleans Saints flexes his muscles after a big catch during a game against the Philadelphia Eagles at Mercedes-Benz Superdome on November 18, 2018 in New Orleans, Louisiana. The Saints defeated the Eagles 48-7. (Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images) /

4. Michael Thomas misses 100-yard mark for fourth-straight week

Through just 11 games, Saints wide receiver Michael Thomas has already eclipsed the 1,000-yard mark for the 2018 season, sitting at 1,080 yards on the year. His magnum opus came in Week 9 in New Orleans’ critical matchup with the Los Angeles Rams as the Ohio State product lit up the LA secondary to the tune of 12 catches, 211 yards and a touchdown. In the three weeks since, however, he’s been a little quieter.

The quietest outing of the last three came on Thanksgiving Day last week as Thomas notched just four receptions for 38 yards, a far cry even from the 92 and 70 yards that he’d put up in the previous two games, respectively — though he did score three combined touchdowns in those two games.

Keeping a player of Thomas’ caliber down is next-to-impossible. He’s not a guy who wins his routes solely with his physical tools, but also with tremendous footwork and savvy route-running ability that is perhaps the best in the NFL, or at least in the conversation. Having said that, he won’t get back over the 100-yard mark once again in this game.

Byron Jones should see a lot of Thomas in this matchup, at least if the Cowboys are wise in what they’re doing. Jones has been a lockdown corner this season and, though guys like Julio Jones have had big days, I think the Dallas secondary focuses a ton of effort on not getting beat in big ways by Thomas. As such, the big-time wideout will have semi-limited production for another week.

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