New Orleans Saints: Three reasons to be optimistic vs. Dallas Cowboys

3. The New Orleans Saints have a significant coaching advantage

Jason Garrett has put together one of the best records for a mediocre coach in recent memory as the Cowboys have given him good years when he needed them to keep his job and continue to be mediocre.

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Garrett has a career 80-59 record, which gives him the eighth-most wins for an active head coach. However, when it matters, Garrett has shown that there is a big gap between him and the other head coaches as he has a 2-3 record in the playoffs.

Coaching matters and we are reminded of that every single year. There is a reason why the New England Patriots have one of the greatest dynasties of all-time and that reason is Bill Belichick. There is a reason why the Rams turned it around and that is Sean McVay. There is a reason why the Falcons underperform and that is Dan Quinn.

Garrett has proven time and time again to not be the greatest decision-maker and that he is an entire level or two under the elite coaches in the league, such as Sean Payton.

If this is a close game then Saint fans are going to be far more comfortable knowing that Payton will make the right choices, whereas there is a good chance that Cowboy fans get worried about Jason Garrett messing it up.

And with this game being in New Orleans, even without Brees, it is going to be close.

That is when the game will come down to the game planning and decisions by Garrett and Payton. The advantage there is obviously apparent.