In a matchup against the New Orleans Saints during their home opener in Week 2, the Dallas Cowboys faced some glaring setbacks that ultimately led to their 44-19 defeat. At the heart of the conversation were the miscommunications between wide receiver CeeDee Lamb and quarterback Dak Prescott, a combo that's been pivotal for the Cowboys.
Lamb, who signed a four-year, $136 million extension before training camp in 2023, had displayed promising stats last season. He topped the NFL charts with 135 receptions and led in slot receiving yards in both 2022 and 2023. However, the game against the Saints illuminated cracks in what seemed like an impregnable partnership with Prescott.
During the second quarter, Prescott aimed for Lamb in the end zone on a slot fade route, only for the ball to land with no receiver in sight due to a misalignment. Consequently, the Cowboys had to settle for a 38-yard field goal by kicker Brandon Aubrey, which only narrowed the score to 14-6, far from bridging the gap created by the Saints.
Reflecting on the mistake, Lamb admitted, "It's all about getting on the same page as your quarterback being a receiver. For me, it's just making sure that I'm available for him. Whatever I got to do to be open, I'm going to do that." He pointed out missed practice time with Prescott during training camp as the root cause.
Prescott echoed these sentiments, emphasizing the importance of continuous communication. "Just continuing to communicate each and every day that we're in here, whether it's the film, whether it's something at practice. Certain routes to make sure that some of those mistakes don't happen again."
Despite a stellar previous season where Prescott led the league in passing touchdowns with 36 and connected with Lamb for 26 completions and 628 receiving yards on vertical routes, the recent outing saw Prescott struggling. He threw an interception to Saints safety Tyrann Mathieu and failed to complete any of his three vertical route attempts to Lamb. The offensive misfires were clear, with Prescott acknowledging, "We were able to move the ball last week. Touchdowns were the problem."
Compounding these issues, the Cowboys' run game has been less than stellar, averaging 85 yards per game, ranking 25th in the NFL, and a mere 3.7 yards per attempt, placing them 26th. Running backs Rico Dowdle, Ezekiel Elliott, and Deuce Vaughn have struggled to provide the necessary punch to support an already faltering aerial attack.
Head coach Mike McCarthy highlighted the off-field efforts of his players, stating, "Our guys have done a really good job, especially away from here in the offseason, the summertime of spending that time together." It's evident that while the groundwork has been laid, the Cowboys need to translate that synchronicity onto the field.
Looking ahead, the Cowboys face the Baltimore Ravens next, a team that allows the most passing yards per game at 257.0 and a 68.4% success rate on targets to the slot. This offers a potential reprieve for Lamb, who has led the NFL in slot receiving yards, and a chance for Prescott to regain his rhythm.
Optimistically, Lamb remains confident about their future. "That's just only the beginning. Everything that I've trained for in the offseason is going to come to life. I have no doubt about it," he remarked, indicating a resilient mindset ready to overcome the shortcomings of the past.
Prescott, too, is looking forward to refining his game. "We can hold some windows longer. I can anticipate a little bit better. I think once you get that going a little bit more, I think that’s just where the red zone will take off." His aim is clear: improve their efficiency in high-stakes situations, particularly within the red zone.
As the Cowboys regroup, the focus will undeniably be on refining the Prescott-Lamb connection, tightening up their run game, and capitalizing on the weaknesses of their upcoming opponent. With talent brimming within the roster and lessons learned from their missteps, the next game could be a turning point for Dallas.