ARLINGTON, Texas — The Dallas Cowboys' home opener ended in a 44-19 defeat against the New Orleans Saints.
The game saw the Cowboys' defense struggle, allowing the Saints to score on their first six drives. This defensive lapse set the tone for a challenging evening. Despite a promising play where CeeDee Lamb caught a spectacular 65-yard touchdown pass, it was not enough to change the momentum in favor of the Cowboys. Lamb's catch brought the Cowboys within 21-13, but the Saints quickly regained control.
One critical moment came when Jalen Brooks slipped on a slant route, leading to Dak Prescott's first of two interceptions on the night. This misstep allowed the Saints to further extend their lead with two additional touchdowns before halftime, putting them ahead 35-16 at the break.
Offensive and Defensive Struggles
The Cowboys’ offensive unit could only convert six of their 13 third-down attempts, while the Saints had a more efficient showing, converting five out of eight. The Cowboys also failed to capitalize on three red-zone opportunities, a crucial stat that underscores their inability to execute in critical moments.
On the ground, the Cowboys averaged 85 rushing yards per game through the first two weeks. This lackluster performance highlighted the absence of Tony Pollard. Attempts by Ezekiel Elliott, Rico Dowdle, and Deuce Vaughn to fill the void left by Pollard were unsuccessful.
The chemistry between Prescott and Lamb remains a work in progress. Although they connected on nine of Lamb's 17 targets for 151 yards and a touchdown, the cohesiveness isn’t quite there yet. Prescott's two-game passer rating stands at 81.4, a statistic that speaks to his ongoing adjustment to the season's demands.
Challenges to Overcome
Last season, the Cowboys had managed 76 plays of 20 or more yards. In stark contrast, this season has seen them complete only four such plays. This drop in explosive plays is a concerning trend as the team seeks to rekindle its offensive spark.
The Cowboys' next challenge will be against the Baltimore Ravens, a team known for their defensive prowess. To turn their season around, the Cowboys will need to address both their offensive inconsistencies and defensive vulnerabilities.
Quotes from Dak Prescott
Reflecting on the game, quarterback Dak Prescott shared his thoughts: "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."
In evaluating his own performance in the red zone, 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." His accountability for the missed opportunities is clear.
On the importance of communication with his receivers, Prescott stated, "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."
Discussing his high expectations and the areas where he seeks improvement, Prescott remarked, "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 fine-tuning his performance is evident.
Looking at the broader picture of his gameplay, Prescott commented on the need for every player to execute their role diligently. "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."
As the Cowboys regroup and prepare for their next matchup, the focus will undoubtedly be on rectifying the issues that have plagued their start to the season. Fans will be eager to see how the team responds to the adversity and whether they can harness their potential for a turnaround.