ARLINGTON, Texas — The Dallas Cowboys' much-anticipated home opener concluded in heartbreak, as they suffered a 44-19 defeat to the New Orleans Saints. What began as a hopeful start quickly unraveled, with the Cowboys' defense being outmaneuvered by the Saints throughout the game.
Defensive Struggles
The Cowboys' defense allowed the Saints to score on each of their first six drives, setting a grim tone early in the game. By halftime, the Saints had expanded their lead to 35-16, thanks in part to two additional touchdowns that seemed to seal the Cowboys' fate.
Offensive Bright Spots
On the offensive side, there were moments of brilliance, notably CeeDee Lamb’s spectacular 65-yard touchdown reception. This play narrowed the deficit to 21-13, providing a glimmer of hope for Dallas fans. But miscues quickly overshadowed these highlights. Jalen Brooks’ slip on a slant route resulted in one of Dak Prescott's two interceptions, turning what could have been a turning point into yet another hurdle.
Despite these challenges, the chemistry between Prescott and Lamb is still evolving. The pair connected nine times out of 17 targets for a total of 151 yards and a touchdown. However, inconsistencies remain evident, with Prescott amassing a passer rating of 81.4 through two games.
Rushing Woes
The Cowboys' ground game continues to underperform, averaging just 85 rushing yards per game over the first two weeks. Attempts by Ezekiel Elliott, Rico Dowdle, and Deuce Vaughn to compensate for Tony Pollard's absence have fallen short, leaving a gaping hole in Dallas’s offensive strategy. The team’s inability to capitalize on three crucial red-zone opportunities underscored these shortcomings.
Struggling on Third Downs
While the Cowboys converted six of their 13 third-down attempts, their effectiveness paled in comparison to the Saints, who capitalized on five out of eight opportunities. Last season’s explosive plays seem like a distant memory—with only four plays of 20 or more yards so far, compared to 76 last year.
Voices from the Field
Post-game, Dak Prescott reflected on the loss, stating, "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 also took personal responsibility for some of the missteps, 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 admitted. His focus on communication with Lamb was evident: "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."
Despite his self-criticism, Prescott remains confident in his capabilities. "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 also stressed the importance of doing his part, "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." Words that hint at tactical adjustments for the future.
Looking Ahead
The Cowboys will face another challenging opponent in their next game against the Baltimore Ravens. As the team continues to address its myriad issues, fans can only hope that the lessons learned from this defeat will translate into a more cohesive and effective performance next time out.