In the midst of the Dallas Cowboys' tumultuous Week 2 home opener against the New Orleans Saints, wide receiver CeeDee Lamb and quarterback Dak Prescott experienced notable miscommunications. This setback was a significant talking point, given the high expectations pinned on the Cowboys for this season. Jerry Jones, the ever-watchful manager and owner of the Cowboys, surely had his attention on these developments closely, especially with Lamb's significant new contract inked just before the season.
During the game, a critical moment unfolded in the second quarter when Prescott aimed for Lamb in the end zone on a slot fade route. This play demonstrated their on-field challenges as a misalignment led to a missed opportunity. As a result, the Cowboys had to settle for a 38-yard field goal by kicker Brandon Aubrey, making the score 14-6. The game, however, did not go in the Cowboys' favor, ending in a substantial 44-19 defeat to the Saints.
CeeDee Lamb, with his impressive four-year, $136 million extension, emerged from last season as one of the NFL's leading wide receivers, boasting a league-leading 135 receptions in 2023. Prescott, not to be outdone, led the NFL in passing touchdowns with 36. The high expectations were evident, yet the recent miscommunications highlight the intricacies and timing required for quarterback-receiver relationships. Lamb admitted that missing practice time with Prescott during training camp could be the reason for the misalignment during the game against the Saints.
"It's all about getting on the same page as your quarterback being a receiver," Lamb acknowledged. "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."
Reflecting on the situation, Prescott stated, "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."
These sentiments were echoed by head coach Mike McCarthy, who emphasized the importance of offseason work. "Our guys have done a really good job, especially away from here in the offseason, the summertime of spending that time together," he remarked, reinforcing the need for precise and consistent teamwork.
The Cowboys' struggles against the Saints extended beyond just a few miscommunications. Their run game, averaging a dismal 85 yards per game (ranked 25th in the NFL) and 3.7 yards per attempt (ranked 26th), further compounded their offensive woes. The trio of running backs Rico Dowdle, Ezekiel Elliott, and Deuce Vaughn faced significant challenges in breaking through defenses.
Prescott's performance showed difficulties, particularly with an interception by Saints safety Tyrann Mathieu and a failure to connect with Lamb on any of his three vertical route attempts. This game demonstrated the harsh margins of success and error in the NFL, prompting key reflections and adjustments for the team moving forward.
"We were able to move the ball last week. Touchdowns were the problem," Prescott admitted, hinting at the core issue that needs resolution. He added, "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."
Looking ahead, the Cowboys face another challenging opponent in the Baltimore Ravens. The matchup will require Lamb and Prescott to rekindle the connection that saw them combine for 26 completions and 628 receiving yards on vertical routes last season. Additionally, the Ravens' defense allows the most passing yards per game at 257.0 and shows a 68.4% success rate on targets to the slot, areas where the Cowboys hope to capitalize.
Lamb's consistency as the NFL leader in slot receiving yards for 2022 and 2023 offers a glimmer of hope. "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," Lamb confidently stated, underscoring his readiness to improve and adapt.
With the season progressing, the Cowboys' ability to tighten their gameplay and reduce miscommunications will be critical. The spotlight remains on Lamb and Prescott to harness their potential fully and navigate the highs and lows of a demanding NFL season.