An In-Depth Look at the Dallas Cowboys' Challenges Post-Saints Game
During Week 2, the Dallas Cowboys faced a significant setback in their home opener against the New Orleans Saints. Wide receiver CeeDee Lamb and quarterback Dak Prescott struggled with miscommunications, a factor that undoubtedly contributed to their 44-19 loss.
Tracing the roots of these on-field missteps, Lamb pointed to missed practice time with Prescott during training camp. "It's all about getting on the same page as your quarterback being a receiver," Lamb acknowledged. "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."
CeeDee Lamb's Performance and Contract
Lamb's off-the-field commitment was highlighted by his four-year, $136 million extension signed before the 2023 training camp. Despite these communications issues, Lamb remains a vital part of the Cowboys' offense. In 2023, he led the NFL with 135 receptions and continued to dominate slot receiving yards, maintaining his top ranking from the previous year.
The need for seamless coordination became apparent in the second quarter against the Saints. Prescott targeted Lamb on a slot fade route in the end zone, but misalignment forced the Cowboys to settle for a 38-yard field goal by kicker Brandon Aubrey, making the score 14-6. These missed opportunities were costly, leading to an eventual 44-19 defeat.
Prescott's Challenge and Potential
Prescott has his share of standout statistics as well, leading the NFL in passing touchdowns with 36 in 2023. However, the recent game captured some of his struggles. Prescott threw an interception to Saints safety Tyrann Mathieu and failed to complete any of his three vertical route attempts to Lamb. "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," Prescott reflected.
Improvement requires ongoing efforts in communication and practice. "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," Prescott emphasized. Head Coach Mike McCarthy echoed this sentiment, praising the team's offseason dedication: "Our guys have done a really good job, especially away from here in the offseason, the summertime of spending that time together."
Run Game Struggles
Beyond the passing game, the Cowboys have faced issues with their run game, ranking 25th in the NFL with an average of 85 yards per game and 26th in yards per attempt at 3.7. The backfield includes Rico Dowdle, Ezekiel Elliott, and Deuce Vaughn, but their collective efforts have yet to yield optimal results.
Even Prescott admits, "We were able to move the ball last week. Touchdowns were the problem." Tightening the screws in both passing and running plays will be crucial as the Cowboys head into their next game.
Next Up: The Baltimore Ravens
The Dallas Cowboys' next challenge comes in the form of the Baltimore Ravens, a team that allows the most passing yards per game at 257.0 and has a 68.4% success rate on targets to the slot. This defensive gap presents an opportunity for Prescott and Lamb to exploit, especially given their past success on vertical routes—26 completions and 628 receiving yards last season.
Confidence remains high within the Cowboys' camp. Lamb, for one, remains undeterred by the recent setback. "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 affirmed.
For the Cowboys to bounce back, it will be essential to not only rectify their communication issues but also balance their offensive strategy to put up competitive numbers against the Ravens.