The Dallas Cowboys found themselves humbled in their Week 2 matchup against the New Orleans Saints, succumbing to a staggering 44-19 defeat. This loss not only dampened the spirits in Dallas but also marked one of the most significant defensive collapses in the franchise's recent history.
Early Struggles and Unraveling Defense
Despite coming off a resounding 33-17 victory over the Cleveland Browns in Week 1, the Cowboys struggled to find their footing. The Saints, driven by their quarterback Derek Carr, managed to score a touchdown on each of their first six drives. This offensive onslaught set the tone for what would become a brutal reminder of the inconsistencies within the Cowboys' defense.
The Cowboys' defense appeared to be on its heels from the start. "For sure humbling, can't give up big plays and start the game off like that. Got us on our heels," expressed linebacker Eric Kendricks. In just the first half alone, Dallas conceded 35 points, tying a franchise record for the most points allowed in the opening half of a game.
Alvin Kamara's Dominance
A significant contributor to the Saints' dominance was running back Alvin Kamara. Kamara showcased his prowess with 180 yards from scrimmage and three touchdowns. One of the standout moments was an 80-yard drive that concluded with Kamara's five-yard touchdown run, further cementing his dominance on the field.
Defensive end Micah Parsons reflected on the challenge of defending against Kamara, stating, "We have to use our hands and feet. We got a guy like Kamara. We're not tackling well. We're arm-tackling. We're trying to pull a guy down. We got to be aggressive, we have to create penetration and do a much better job tackling."
Diminished Pressure and Defensive Missteps
The pressure that the Cowboys had been able to generate in Week 1 seemed to dissipate against the Saints. After amassing six sacks and two interceptions against the Browns, the Cowboys managed only a single sack and one interception in this matchup. Their quarterback pressure rate plummeted to 17.6%.
Micah Parsons shed light on the Saints' offensive strategy: "They did a great job schematically. Everything was short. Everything was quick, and if it wasn't, it was max [protect], two-man routes. ... Instead of having a lineman block me in max protection with a chip, they sent a chip with a lineman and sent a running back to cut. I was going through a maze almost. I thought that was creative, a new way."
Locker Room Reflections
The mood in the Cowboys' locker room was somber. Eric Kendricks commented on the palpable disappointment: "I feel like you look around the locker you can sense it. Obviously, everyone is disappointed. We didn't want that, especially at the home opener. The NFL will humble you like that. This isn't the first time I've been a part of that. We got to make a stand. We got to come back to work tomorrow. Obviously, let it hurt for a little bit. I think that's a good thing. Put it in our rearview and work toward the next."
Cornerback Trevon Diggs echoed this sentiment, emphasizing the need for accountability and better preparedness: "Unacceptable. Yeah, it's not necessarily confusing, it's just you have to be on your toes. You have to be on your Ps and Qs because they can run it, play-action and then when they [are] passing the ball, they're max-protecting everybody. So we're not getting any [pass] rush. You're just out there just, you know, this is unacceptable. We ain't come to play today."
Micah Parsons added a personal note on his performance and commitment to the team: "Everyone is going to say they did their job and everything was perfect right now, but the film tells all. I can't wait to see the film. I don't know who was out of what gap [in the run game]. I know for the guys when I turn the film on, I want to say 'No. 11 was giving his all.' That's all that matters. Then, we're going to continue that standard. I got a job. I owe these guys. I owe my family a certain level of ball. I don't think I helped to the best of my abilities today."
This crushing defeat serves as a stark reminder for the Cowboys on the importance of consistency and execution. Their ability to rebound and address their defensive woes will be crucial as they move deeper into the season.