The Dallas Cowboys faced significant adversity during their home opener against the New Orleans Saints in Week 2, marked by evident miscommunications between wide receiver CeeDee Lamb and quarterback Dak Prescott. This issue came to the fore in the second quarter when a slot fade route ended in an incomplete pass due to a misalignment, eventually forcing the Cowboys to settle for a 38-yard field goal by kicker Brandon Aubrey. The drive highlighted the complexities dogging the team, and despite Prescott's attempts, the Cowboys ultimately suffered a heavy 44-19 loss to the Saints.
CeeDee Lamb, who signed a lucrative four-year, $136 million extension before training camp in 2023, attributed the mishap to an unfortunate lack of practice time with Prescott. "It's all about getting on the same page as your quarterback being a receiver," Lamb admitted. "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."
Despite leading the NFL with 135 receptions in 2023 and topping the league in slot receiving yards for the past two seasons, Lamb's connection with Prescott during the game was suboptimal. Prescott, who led the league in passing touchdowns with 36 in the same year, failed to complete any of his three vertical route attempts to Lamb. The star quarterback also threw an interception to Saints safety Tyrann Mathieu, another testament to the struggles faced by the duo.
The Cowboys' issues weren't confined to the passing game. Their run game has been underwhelming, averaging 85 yards per game, ranking them 25th in the NFL, and gaining just 3.7 yards per attempt, placing them 26th. Between Rico Dowdle, Ezekiel Elliott, and Deuce Vaughn, the ground offense has yet to find its rhythm. The coaching staff, led by Jerry Jones, is under pressure to find solutions as the season progresses.
Head coach Mike McCarthy highlighted the efforts made to foster better chemistry among the players. "Our guys have done a really good job, especially away from here in the offseason, the summertime of spending that time together," he said. Yet, the approach seems to require more refinement. Prescott emphasized the importance of continuous improvement. "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 noted.
Prescott's optimism wasn't confined to practice and communication. He indicated a broader strategy, particularly in the critical red zone situations where the Cowboys had faltered. "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," he added. Nonetheless, he was pragmatic about the loss to the Saints. "We were able to move the ball last week. Touchdowns were the problem."
As the Cowboys prepare to face the Baltimore Ravens next, they'll need to address these weaknesses head-on. The Ravens’ defense, allowing the most passing yards per game at 257.0 and a 68.4% success rate on targets to the slot, could potentially offer opportunities for Lamb and Prescott to re-establish their synergy. Last season, the duo connected for 26 completions and 628 receiving yards on vertical route attempts, a dynamic they hope to replicate against the Ravens. Lamb remains hopeful and determined, stating, "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."
The upcoming match against the Ravens could turn into a pivotal moment for a team in need of a strong rebound. If the wide receiver and quarterback can rediscover their chemistry, and if the ground game can find momentum, the Cowboys might yet turn their fortunes around this season. For now, they labor under the weight of high expectations and the determined leadership of Jerry Jones, seeking to overcome the challenges that early-season missteps have laid bare.