ARLINGTON, Texas — The Dallas Cowboys' home opener concluded in a disheartening 44-19 defeat against the New Orleans Saints, casting a shadow over their early-season aspirations.
The Cowboys' defense struggled right from the start, allowing the Saints to score on their first six drives. Despite a valiant effort, the defensive lapses were too significant to overcome.
A Shining Moment
There were moments of brilliance for the Cowboys, notably CeeDee Lamb's electrifying 65-yard touchdown pass that trimmed the deficit to 21-13. Lamb demonstrated his playmaking ability, but it was not enough to shift the momentum decisively in Dallas' favor.
However, turnover woes haunted the Cowboys. Jalen Brooks' unfortunate slip on a slant route led to Dak Prescott's first of two interceptions, stalling another promising drive. By halftime, the Saints had already raced to a commanding 35-16 lead, punctuated by two additional touchdowns just before the break.
Third-Down Slumps and Red Zone Struggles
On third downs, the Cowboys managed to convert six of their 13 attempts, while the Saints fared slightly better, converting five of their eight attempts. The disparities were more evident in the red zone, where Dallas failed to capitalize on three critical opportunities.
The Cowboys' rushing attack, averaging a modest 85 yards per game through two weeks, left much to be desired. The trio of Ezekiel Elliott, Rico Dowdle, and Deuce Vaughn found it challenging to fill the void left by Tony Pollard.
Prescott-Lamb Chemistry Still Developing
The connection between Dak Prescott and CeeDee Lamb remains a work in progress. Despite connecting on nine of Lamb's 17 targets for 151 yards and a touchdown, there were evident miscommunications. After the game, Prescott 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."
Prescott's performance reflected mixed results, with a passer rating of 81.4 through two games. Last season, the Cowboys boasted 76 plays of 20 or more yards; this season, they've managed only four, highlighting their struggles to produce explosive plays.
Voices from the Locker Room
Prescott, despite the setbacks, remained resolute. "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 were able to move the ball. I can't say that we were pressing necessarily," he said, reflecting on the team's offensive efforts.
Admitting his own shortcomings, he added, "I just didn't convert in the red zone. They didn't throw anything we weren't ready for. It’s on me."
The quarterback's high expectations for himself and the team were evident. "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." His commitment to improvement was clear, as he emphasized the importance of execution and adapting his play. "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 to rebound, the Cowboys must address these areas of concern promptly. The next challenge looms large as they face the Baltimore Ravens, a contest that will test their resilience and capacity to bounce back.