ARLINGTON, Texas — A Struggle for the Cowboys in Home Opener
The Dallas Cowboys faced a challenging start to their home opener, succumbing to a resounding 44-19 defeat at the hands of the New Orleans Saints. The Cowboys' defense faltered early, allowing the Saints to score on their first six drives, a deficit that proved insurmountable despite moments of promise from the offense.
The game saw a glimmer of hope when CeeDee Lamb brought the home crowd to its feet with a stunning 65-yard touchdown reception, narrowing the deficit to 21-13. However, this was one of the few highlights for the Cowboys. Quarterback Dak Prescott's night was marred by interceptions and missed opportunities, the first of which occurred when Jalen Brooks slipped on a slant route. The Saints capitalized quickly, adding two more touchdowns before halftime and establishing a commanding 35-16 lead by the break.
After the game, Prescott reflected on the team's offensive struggles, particularly 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," he stated candidly. His admission underscored a night where the Cowboys failed to capitalize on three critical red-zone opportunities, a factor that significantly influenced the game's outcome.
Despite the offensive woes, the connection between Prescott and Lamb showed potential. The duo combined on nine of Lamb's 17 targets for 151 yards and a touchdown. But as Prescott noted, chemistry remains a work in progress. "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," he elaborated.
The Cowboys' rushing game, traditionally a cornerstone of their offense, also struggled to find its footing. Averaging just 85 rushing yards per game over the first two weeks, the absence of Tony Pollard loomed large. Ezekiel Elliott, Rico Dowdle, and Deuce Vaughn collectively failed to fill the void, contributing to an offensive imbalance.
As the game progressed, the Cowboys managed to convert six of their 13 third-down attempts, a respectable figure, yet it paled in comparison to the Saints' efficiency. New Orleans succeeded on five of their eight third-down attempts, a testament to their offensive fluidity throughout the night.
Prescott's performance, marked by a passer rating of 81.4 through two games, reflected a mix of accomplishments and shortcomings. "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 explained, attempting to dissect the team's mindset and strategy.
The Cowboys' offense, which was prolific in creating big plays last season with 76 plays of 20 or more yards, has been devoid of such explosive moments this season, managing only four thus far. Prescott himself acknowledged the need for precision and trust in execution. "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," he noted.
As the Cowboys prepare for their next outing against the Baltimore Ravens, the team faces an array of questions and challenges. The loss against the Saints highlighted areas requiring immediate improvement, especially in defensive resilience and offensive consistency. With expectations set high, the road ahead for Prescott and the Cowboys will demand resilience, communication, and a renewed focus on execution to turn their season around.