ARLINGTON, Texas — In their home opener, the Dallas Cowboys suffered a disheartening 44-19 loss to the New Orleans Saints, raising more questions than answers about their early-season form. The Cowboys' defense was porous, allowing the Saints to score on their first six drives, setting a tone of dominance that Dallas could not overcome.
CeeDee Lamb offered a glimmer of hope with a spectacular 65-yard touchdown catch, narrowing the deficit to 21-13 at one point. Yet, the Cowboys struggled to maintain momentum. A pivotal moment came when Jalen Brooks slipped on a slant route, leading to Dak Prescott's first of two interceptions.
Defensive Struggles
The Cowboys' inability to stop the Saints was glaring, as New Orleans added two more touchdowns before halftime, heading into the break with a commanding 35-16 lead. “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,” Prescott reflected. “We weren't able to score touchdowns, but were able to move the ball. I can't say that we were pressing necessarily." Despite converting six of their 13 third-down attempts, Dallas couldn't capitalize in critical moments.
Offensive Misfires
Red-zone inefficiency plagued the Cowboys, failing to convert three red-zone opportunities into touchdowns. Rookie running backs Ezekiel Elliott, Rico Dowdle, and Deuce Vaughn were unable to fill the void left by Tony Pollard, contributing to the team's meager average of 85 rushing yards per game through the first two weeks. "I just didn't convert in the red zone. They didn't throw anything we weren't ready for. It’s on me," Prescott admitted.
The chemistry between Prescott and Lamb remains a work in progress. While they connected on nine of Lamb's 17 targets for 151 yards and a touchdown, the missed opportunities were apparent. “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 elaborated, hinting at the ongoing adjustments the duo is making.
Prescott's Perspective
Through two games, Prescott has garnered a passer rating of 81.4. He's candid about the areas needing improvement, particularly his red-zone execution. "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 remarked, highlighting his self-critical nature and desire for perfection. Last season's offense, which amassed 76 plays of 20 or more yards, has mustered only four big plays so far this season.
Staying the course and trusting his process are themes Prescott touched upon. "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 emphasized.
Looking Ahead
The Cowboys now prepare to face the Baltimore Ravens in their next matchup, a game that will undoubtedly test their resilience and ability to rectify early-season missteps. With defensive improvements needed and offensive chemistry still brewing, Dallas aims to rebound and demonstrate the talent that keeps fans' hopes high.