The Dallas Cowboys endured a humbling defeat in their Week 2 matchup, falling 44-19 to the New Orleans Saints. This marked a stark contrast to their promising start in Week 1, where they secured a 33-17 victory over the Cleveland Browns. The match against New Orleans saw the Cowboys struggling right from the onset, and their defense unable to stem the tide.
Quick Saints Start Overwhelms Cowboys
New Orleans, under the leadership of quarterback Derek Carr, showcased an offensive masterclass, scoring a touchdown on each of their first six drives. Alvin Kamara was particularly instrumental, amassing 180 yards from scrimmage and scoring three touchdowns, including an 80-yard drive capped by a five-yard touchdown run. This offensive onslaught led to Dallas conceding 35 points in the first half, tying a franchise record for most points allowed in the first half of a game. The Cowboys' defensive struggles were evident as they managed only one sack and one interception, a significant drop from their six sacks and two interceptions in the previous week.
Cowboys' Defensive Woes
Linebacker Eric Kendricks succinctly captured the sentiment in the locker room, stating, "For sure humbling, can't give up big plays and start the game off like that. Got us on our heels." The Cowboys seemed ill-prepared for the Saints' relentless offense, as cornerback Trevon Diggs criticized the team's effort, "Unacceptable. Yeah, it's not necessarily confusing, it's just you have to be on your toes. You have to be on your Ps and Qs because they can run it, play-action and then when they [are] passing the ball, they're max-protecting everybody. So we're not getting any [pass] rush. You're just out there just, you know, this is unacceptable. We ain't come to play today." Diggs' frustration was palpable, mirroring the overall mood of the team.
Tackling Troubles
The Cowboys' inability to tackle effectively was another critical issue highlighted by linebacker Micah Parsons, who noted, "We have to use our hands and feet. We got a guy like Kamara. We're not tackling well. We're arm-tackling. We're trying to pull a guy down. We got to be aggressive, we have to create penetration and do a much better job tackling." Parsons also offered insight into the defensive challenges they faced, particularly in handling Kamara, "They did a great job schematically. Everything was short. Everything was quick, and if it wasn't, it was max [protect], two-man routes. ... Instead of having a lineman block me in max protection with a chip, they sent a chip with a lineman and sent a running back to cut. I was going through a maze almost. I thought that was creative, a new way." Parsons' remarks underscore the tactical difficulties the Cowboys experienced.
Locker Room Reflections
The mood in the locker room post-game was one of disappointment and a sense of needing to bounce back. Kendricks reflected on the setback, "I feel like you look around the locker you can sense it. Obviously everyone is disappointed. We didn't want that, especially at the home opener. The NFL will humble you like that. This isn't the first time I've been a part of that. We got to make a stand. We got to come back to work tomorrow. Obviously, let it hurt for a little bit. I think that's a good thing. Put it in our rearview and work toward the next." This resolve to improve was echoed throughout the team.
Parsons, reflecting on his own performance and that of his teammates, emphasized accountability moving forward, "Everyone is going to say they did their job and everything was perfect right now, but the film tells all. I can't wait to see the film. I don't know who was out of what gap [in the run game]. I know for the guys when I turn the film on, I want to say 'No. 11 was giving his all.' That's all that matters. Then, we're going to continue that standard. I got a job. I owe these guys. I owe my family a certain level of ball. I don't think I helped to the best of my abilities today." His words reflect a deeper commitment to excellence and an acknowledgment of the work ahead for the Cowboys.
This defeat marks the second-largest home opener loss under owner Jerry Jones, a statistic that stings for a franchise with high aspirations. With the season still in its early stages, the Cowboys have an opportunity to address these issues and rebound. The path forward will require significant adjustments, better execution, and a return to the fundamentals that secured their Week 1 victory.