Following a lengthy investigation, the NFL on Wednesday acted forcefully in response to the New Orleans Saints' bounty program, suspending head coach Sean Payton for the entire 2012 season.
Payton was the Cowboys' offensive coordinator under Bill Parcells from 2003-05. He took over the Saints in 2006, leading the team to the NFC Championship, and three years later the first Super Bowl win in club history.
Also suspended indefinitely was former defensive coordinator Gregg Williams, now with the Rams. Saints GM Mickey Loomis was suspended for eight games in 2012, and the Saints lost their next two second-round picks, in addition to a $500,000 fine.
The Cowboys play the Saints in Arlington this year.
Dallas was 1-2 against New Orleans under Payton. They lost 42-17 at home in Payton's return to Texas Stadium in 2006. At the Superdome in 2009, the Cowboys ended New Orleans' undefeated season in Week 15. The Saints visited Dallas on Thanksgiving Day in 2010, winning 30-27.
