ARLINGTON, Texas — The Dallas Cowboys suffered a stinging defeat in their home opener, falling 44-19 to the New Orleans Saints in front of a disheartened crowd. The game, punctuated by defensive breakdowns and offensive misfires, underscored numerous ongoing issues for the Cowboys.
Defensive Struggles from the Start
The Cowboys' defense faltered early, allowing the Saints to score on their first six drives. This initial onslaught set the tone for a game where the Saints seemed unstoppable, with the Cowboys failing to find answers to their aggressive offensive schemes. By halftime, the Saints had built a formidable 35-16 lead, leaving the Cowboys with an uphill battle.
Offensive Highlights and Lowlights
Despite the overall struggle, there were moments of brilliance for the Cowboys offense. Notably, CeeDee Lamb caught a 65-yard touchdown pass, narrowing the deficit to 21-13 at one point. Lamb’s connection with Dak Prescott resulted in nine completions out of 17 targets, amassing 151 yards and a touchdown. However, this promising collaboration revealed it is still a work in progress.
Quarterback Dak Prescott faced pressure throughout the game, throwing two interceptions. One pivotal mistake occurred when Jalen Brooks slipped on a slant route, leading to Prescott's first interception. Reflecting on the game, Prescott commented, "I just didn't convert in the red zone. They didn't throw anything we weren't ready for. It’s on me."
Missed Opportunities
The Cowboys' inefficiency in critical moments was glaring. They converted only six of their 13 third-down attempts and failed to capitalize on three red-zone opportunities. This inability to finish drives with touchdowns instead of field goals left them trailing significantly by halftime.
Prescott’s passer rating stood at 81.4 through two games, a statistic indicative of the ongoing struggles of the Cowboys' offense. Last season, they managed 76 plays of 20 yards or more. This year, they have recorded a mere four such plays, highlighting a significant drop in their explosive play-making ability.
Run Game Woes
The Cowboys' rushing attack also failed to impress, averaging just 85 yards per game over the first two weeks. The absence of Tony Pollard was felt deeply, with Ezekiel Elliott, Rico Dowdle, and Deuce Vaughn unable to fill the void effectively. The lack of a strong running game placed additional pressure on the passing attack, further exposing their vulnerabilities.
Player Reflections
Prescott acknowledged the need for better execution and communication, especially in the red zone. He noted, "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."
Regarding his performance, Prescott admitted, "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." Recognizing the need for continuous improvement, he added, "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' next challenge comes against the Baltimore Ravens, a team known for its defensive prowess. As they prepare, addressing both on-field execution and off-field communication will be crucial to changing their fortunes. Dallas will need a comprehensive effort to bounce back and prove their potential in the coming weeks.