ARLINGTON, Texas — The Dallas Cowboys faced a tough home opener, suffering a 44-19 defeat against the New Orleans Saints. The match laid bare several issues in the Cowboys' defense, which allowed the Saints to score on their first six drives, putting them instantly on the back foot.
CeeDee Lamb offered a glimmer of hope with an electrifying 65-yard touchdown catch, narrowing the deficit to 21-13. However, error-prone plays soon bogged down any comeback attempts. Notably, a slip by Jalen Brooks on a slant route resulted in Dak Prescott's first of two interceptions. The Saints capitalized, adding two more touchdowns before halftime and heading into the break with a commanding 35-16 lead.
Offensive Struggles
The Cowboys struggled to find their rhythm, converting six of their 13 third-down attempts but failing to capitalize on three red-zone opportunities. The absence of Tony Pollard was palpably felt, with the team averaging a mere 85 rushing yards per game through the first two weeks of the season. Ezekiel Elliott, Rico Dowdle, and Deuce Vaughn couldn’t fill the void, leaving the team’s ground game stagnant.
Despite these challenges, the chemistry between Dak Prescott and CeeDee Lamb showed some promise. Prescott and Lamb connected on nine of Lamb's 17 targets, resulting in 151 yards and a touchdown. Yet, this budding rapport was overshadowed by missed opportunities and miscommunication. “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 explained.
Defensive Woes
On the defensive end, the Cowboys were equally lackluster. Allowing five out of eight third-down conversions, they struggled to contain the Saints' explosive offense. Last season, the Cowboys had 76 plays of 20 or more yards. In stark contrast, they have managed only four such plays this season.
Prescott was candid about the team’s struggles, especially 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 admitted. This acknowledgment illustrated the Cowboys' internal assessments, indicating a clear understanding of the areas needing improvement.
Post-Game Reflections
Prescott reflected on the broader dynamics of the game. "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 noted.
As for his personal performance, Prescott emphasized the importance of precision and accountability. "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,” he said. This introspection was balanced by a commitment to improvement. “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," Prescott concluded.
Looking Ahead
With a daunting matchup against the Baltimore Ravens looming, the Cowboys have a lot to address both offensively and defensively. The early-season struggles highlight the imperative for swift improvements if they hope to salvage their season. Fans will be watching closely to see how the team responds to this early adversity.