ARLINGTON, Texas — The Dallas Cowboys faced a challenging start to their season as they suffered a resounding 44-19 defeat against the New Orleans Saints in their home opener. The game underscored a range of issues on both sides of the ball, raising concerns about their ability to bounce back in upcoming matchups.
Troubled Defense
Right from the outset, the Cowboys' defense struggled to contain the high-powered Saints offense, allowing them to score on their first six drives. This early onslaught set the tone for a difficult afternoon for Dallas. Despite some individual highlights, it was evident that the defensive unit failed to maintain any sort of momentum or rhythm.
Bright Spot: CeeDee Lamb
One of the few bright spots for the Cowboys was wide receiver CeeDee Lamb, who caught a spectacular 65-yard touchdown pass, narrowing the deficit to 21-13 at one point. Lamb's chemistry with quarterback Dak Prescott is still evolving, as indicated by their connection on nine out of 17 targets for 151 yards and a touchdown. However, more work is needed for them to consistently execute on such plays.
Turnover Troubles
Turnovers plagued the Cowboys' offense, with Jalen Brooks slipping on a slant route that led to the first of Prescott's two interceptions. The Saints capitalized on these mistakes, adding two more touchdowns before halftime and extending their lead to 35-16 by the break. Prescott's passer rating hovered at 81.4 over the first two games, a statistic that reflects the overall inconsistencies in the offensive execution.
Red-Zone Woes
The Cowboys' inability to convert red-zone opportunities was a glaring issue. Despite moving the ball effectively at times, they failed to score touchdowns in crucial situations. This inefficiency proved costly against a team as relentless as the Saints.
Reflecting on the game, Prescott acknowledged the pressing need for improvement, particularly in crucial moments. "I just didn’t convert in the red zone. They didn’t throw anything we weren’t ready for. It’s on me," he admitted.
Running Game Struggles
Another area of concern is the Cowboys' running game, which has averaged only 85 rushing yards per game through the first two weeks of the season. The absence of Tony Pollard was keenly felt, with Ezekiel Elliott, Rico Dowdle, and Deuce Vaughn unable to fill the void effectively.
Challenges and Adjustments
The lack of big plays has also been a topic of discussion. Last season, the Cowboys boasted 76 plays of 20 or more yards; however, this season, they have managed just four in their first two games. This stark contrast highlights the need for a more dynamic and explosive offensive approach.
Prescott's Perspective
Prescott articulated the challenges of playing complementary football when one side of the ball struggles, saying, "It was hard to say that we were pressing. You're trying to play complementary football, and if your defense is struggling to stop a group, you want to do your part and score. We weren’t able to score touchdowns, but were able to move the ball. I can’t say that we were pressing necessarily."
He also emphasized the importance of communication and finding solutions through constructive dialogue with Lamb and other teammates. "Simply just trying to communicate. Maybe those misses, maybe what he saw, what he thought versus what I did and then, honestly, just finding a solution. We have to have those communications to substitute for the time missed," he explained.
Prescott remains optimistic but acknowledges the high expectations. “My expectations are crazy high. I’m seeing it well, putting the ball where I want to. That one interception is going to get at me. Outside of that, there may be a few throws that I want to get back,” he said. He stressed the importance of everyone executing their roles and the need for him to use his feet more, whether to extend plays or gain a few yards.
Looking ahead, the Cowboys will need to address these key issues if they hope to turn their season around as they face the Baltimore Ravens in their next game. The team will need a concerted effort to overcome their early struggles and start stacking up wins.