ARLINGTON, Texas — In what was a disheartening home opener for the Dallas Cowboys, the New Orleans Saints handed them a resounding 44-19 defeat on Sunday. The Cowboys' defense appeared overwhelmed, allowing the Saints to score on their first six drives, establishing a lead the Cowboys could never overcome.
The pivotal moment for the Cowboys came when wide receiver CeeDee Lamb caught a spectacular 65-yard touchdown pass, narrowing the deficit to 21-13. However, the momentum was short-lived. A critical error occurred when Jalen Brooks slipped on a slant route, leading to Dak Prescott's first of two interceptions. The Saints capitalized on this mistake, adding two more touchdowns before halftime and leading 35-16 as the teams headed to the locker rooms.
Struggles in Conversion
Despite converting six of their 13 third-down attempts, the Cowboys struggled to make the most of their red-zone opportunities, failing to convert thrice. In contrast, the Saints were more efficient, successfully converting five of their eight third-down attempts. This discrepancy allowed the Saints to maintain their substantial lead throughout the game.
The Cowboys' running game has been underwhelming, averaging just 85 rushing yards per game through the first two weeks. The absence of Tony Pollard has been keenly felt, with Ezekiel Elliott, Rico Dowdle, and Deuce Vaughn unable to fill the void.
Work in Progress
While there were flashes of brilliance, the chemistry between Prescott and Lamb remains a work in progress. The duo connected on nine of Lamb's 17 targets for 151 yards and a touchdown, but this wasn't enough to turn the tide for the Cowboys. Prescott, who has a passer rating of 81.4 through two games, acknowledged the missed opportunities: "I just didn't convert in the red zone. They didn’t throw anything we weren’t ready for. It’s on me."
Prescott further elaborated on the need for better communication and execution: "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."
Defensive Woes and Offensive Gaps
Last season, the Cowboys had 76 plays of 20 or more yards. This year, they have only managed four, signaling a significant decline in their offensive explosiveness. Prescott touched on the need for improvement: "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."
Reflecting on the overall team performance, Prescott emphasized the importance of executing their roles perfectly: "I don’t want to say you have to be perfect, but everybody’s got to do their job and trust their job. Part of it for me is going back to using my feet more, whether it’s scrambling, extending the plays to look to throw the ball down the field, or maybe just going and getting a couple yards and getting down."
Looking Ahead
The Cowboys now face the prospect of regrouping and addressing the evident gaps in their play before their next game against the Baltimore Ravens. The team's performance against the Saints has put a spotlight on areas that require urgent attention, from defensive consistency to red-zone efficiency and running game productivity.
While the Cowboys have the talent and potential, translating that into consistent, winning performances will be key in the upcoming weeks. The journey to find their rhythm continues, and much will depend on how quickly they can iron out their issues and turn potential into results on the field.