ARLINGTON, Texas — In a disappointing start to their home opener, the Dallas Cowboys found themselves ousted by the New Orleans Saints in a 44-19 defeat. The Cowboys’ defense struggled prominently, allowing the Saints to score on their first six drives, setting a challenging tone for the rest of the game.
The Cowboys showed flashes of potential, especially when CeeDee Lamb caught a spectacular 65-yard touchdown pass, which narrowed the deficit to 21-13. Despite this effort, mishaps on crucial plays defined much of Dallas's game. Jalen Brooks slipped on a slant route, leading to Dak Prescott’s first of two interceptions.
Defensive Struggles
By halftime, the Saints had extended their lead to 35-16. Dallas’s defense seemed overwhelmed, struggling particularly on third downs where the Saints converted five out of eight opportunities. Conversely, the Cowboys managed to convert six of their 13 third-down attempts but failed to capitalize on three critical red-zone opportunities.
Offense Under Scrutiny
Offensively, the Cowboys averaged just 85 rushing yards per game through their first two weeks, a significant drop from expectations. With Tony Pollard sidelined, Ezekiel Elliott, Rico Dowdle, and Deuce Vaughn were unable to step up to fill the void, leaving the run game lacking potency.
The chemistry between Prescott and Lamb, while showing moments of brilliance, is still being fine-tuned. Prescott and Lamb connected on nine of Lamb’s 17 targets, amassing 151 yards and a touchdown. However, Prescott acknowledged the need for improvement, stating, "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."
Prescott’s Perspective
Prescott ended the game with a passer rating of 81.4 over two games, reflecting the various challenges the Cowboys are facing. Reflecting on the team's struggles, Prescott admitted, "I just didn't convert in the red zone. They didn't throw anything we weren't ready for. It’s on me." He highlighted the importance of execution, explaining, “It was hard to say that we were pressing. You're trying to play complementary football, and if your defense is struggling to stop a group, you want to do your part and score. We weren't able to score touchdowns, but we were able to move the ball. I can't say that we were pressing necessarily."
Determined to address his shortcomings, Prescott revealed, "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." He emphasized the need for each player to trust their role in the team: "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 Forward
The Cowboys’ offensive struggles are underscored by their performance in big plays. Last season, they executed 76 plays of 20 or more yards; this season, they've mustered only four. As the team prepares to face the Baltimore Ravens in their next outing, there's a palpable need to recalibrate both defensively and offensively to turn their season around.
In reflecting on their early season performance, it’s clear the Cowboys have the pieces needed for success, but the implementation and execution remain areas ripe for refinement. The upcoming games will be crucial in determining whether they can harness their potential and translate it into consistent on-field success.