ARLINGTON, Texas — The Dallas Cowboys' home opener was one they'd prefer to forget, ending in a stinging 44-19 defeat against the New Orleans Saints. The Cowboys' defense was porous, allowing the Saints to score on their first six drives, setting the tone for a game that quickly spiraled out of their control.
Defensive Struggles and Missed Opportunities
The Cowboys found themselves on the back foot from the outset. Despite a stunning 65-yard touchdown pass caught by CeeDee Lamb that narrowed the deficit to 21-13, the defensive shortcomings were too glaring to overcome. Jalen Brooks' slip on a slant route resulted in Dak Prescott's first of two interceptions, a misstep that only compounded the home team's woes. By halftime, the Saints had added two more touchdowns to their tally, leading 35-16.
Prescott reflected on the challenging outing, noting the team’s effort but acknowledging the execution gap. "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," Prescott remarked.
Offensive Inconsistencies
The Cowboys' offense showed flashes of potential but remained inconsistent, converting six of their 13 third-down attempts but failing to capitalize on three crucial red-zone opportunities. With an average of 85 rushing yards per game through the first two weeks, the inability to fill the void left by Tony Pollard was evident. Ezekiel Elliott, Rico Dowdle, and Deuce Vaughn struggled to make a significant impact on the ground.
Prescott connected with Lamb on nine of his 17 targets for 151 yards and a touchdown, yet it was clear that their chemistry is still a work in progress. Prescott's passer rating of 81.4 through two games underlines the need for refinement and better execution.
“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," Prescott said.
Aiming for Improvement
This setback brought into sharp focus the areas the Cowboys need to address. Prescott expressed his accountability post-game, saying, "I just didn't convert in the red zone. They didn't throw anything we weren't ready for. It’s on me." His reflection on personal expectations indicates a commitment to improvement: "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, who had 76 plays of 20 or more yards last season, have managed just four in the current season, underscoring the need for more explosive plays. Prescott pointed out the necessity of precise 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."
Looking Ahead
With their next game against the Baltimore Ravens, the Cowboys will need to regroup and sharpen both their offensive and defensive playbooks. The areas of improvement are clear, and the team will need to bring a more cohesive and effective strategy to the field if they aim to turn their season around.