Dallas Cowboys Fall to New Orleans Saints in Tough Home Opener
ARLINGTON, Texas — The Dallas Cowboys' expectations for a strong start to their home campaign were dashed as they succumbed to a 44-19 defeat against the New Orleans Saints. Despite moments of brilliance, the Cowboys couldn’t find their rhythm, allowing the Saints to dominate early and often.
Defensive Struggles Plague Cowboys
The Cowboys' defense faltered from the outset, conceding points on the Saints' first six drives. This defensive lapse set a harsh tone for the game, putting Dak Prescott and the offense under immense pressure to keep pace.
CeeDee Lamb provided a glimmer of hope, catching a spectacular 65-yard touchdown pass that narrowed the deficit to 21-13. Yet, any momentum gained was short-lived as the Cowboys' defense continued to struggle, giving up two more touchdowns before halftime. The Saints went into the break with a commanding 35-16 lead.
Reflecting on the defense's struggles and the need for complementary football, Prescott admitted, "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."
Offensive Highlights and Lowlights
The chemistry between Prescott and Lamb is still developing, evidenced by the pair connecting on nine of Lamb's 17 targets for 151 yards and a touchdown. However, Prescott also threw two interceptions, the first of which occurred when Jalen Brooks slipped on a slant route.
Prescott's frustration was palpable as he took accountability for missed opportunities in the red zone: "I just didn't convert in the red zone. They didn't throw anything we weren't ready for. It’s on me."
The Cowboys converted six of their 13 third-down attempts, while the Saints managed five out of eight. However, critical red-zone failures plagued the Cowboys, as they failed to capitalize on three opportunities inside the 20-yard line.
Prescott noted the importance of communication and adapting on the fly, saying, "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."
Running Game Inconsistencies
The absence of Tony Pollard has left a void that Ezekiel Elliott, Rico Dowdle, and Deuce Vaughn have struggled to fill. The Cowboys averaged just 85 rushing yards per game through two weeks, underscoring the difficulties in establishing a consistent ground attack.
Reflecting on the demands of near-perfection in execution, Prescott explained, "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
As the Cowboys prepare for their next game against the Baltimore Ravens, the team must address several areas to improve their performance. While Prescott has shown flashes of brilliance, achieving consistency will be crucial for future success. His current passer rating of 81.4 through two games reflects both the highs and lows of his play.
Last season, the Cowboys had 76 plays of 20 or more yards, but so far this season, they have managed only four. This stark contrast highlights the need for more explosive plays to complement their offense.
Prescott remains focused and driven despite the challenges, emphasizing his high expectations: "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."
The Cowboys have shown potential, but translating that potential into wins will require significant adjustments and a collective effort from both the offense and defense. As they gear up to face the Ravens, the focus will be on finding that elusive balance and executing under pressure.