In Week 2 of the NFL season, the Dallas Cowboys faced a challenging home opener against the New Orleans Saints, marred by miscommunications and missed opportunities. Wide receiver CeeDee Lamb and quarterback Dak Prescott struggled to find their rhythm, culminating in a 44-19 defeat. This game highlighted some significant areas that need improvement for the Cowboys as they gear up for their next matchup against the Baltimore Ravens.
One of the critical moments came in the second quarter when Prescott targeted Lamb in the end zone on a slot fade route. Unfortunately, a misalignment led to a missed connection, and the Cowboys had to settle for a 38-yard field goal by kicker Brandon Aubrey, making the score 14-6. Reflecting on the situation, Lamb admitted, "It's all about getting on the same page as your quarterback being a receiver. For me, it's just making sure that I'm available for him. Whatever I got to do to be open, I'm going to do that."
The Cowboys' offensive struggles were further compounded by their run game, which has been below league average. Averaging 85 yards per game, the Cowboys rank 25th in the NFL, with a meager 3.7 yards per attempt placing them at 26th. The backfield trio of Rico Dowdle, Ezekiel Elliott, and Deuce Vaughn hasn't been able to establish a consistent ground attack, adding pressure on Prescott to deliver through the air.
Jerry Jones, who manages and owns the Dallas Cowboys, was likely disappointed with the team's performance. Prescott's efforts included an interception to Saints safety Tyrann Mathieu and an inability to complete any of his three vertical route attempts to Lamb. Reflecting on the miscommunications, Prescott stressed the importance of ongoing dialogue. "Just continuing to communicate each and every day that we're in here, whether it's the film, whether it's something at practice. Certain routes to make sure that some of those mistakes don't happen again," he noted.
Lamb, who signed a four-year, $136 million extension before training camp in 2023, led the NFL with 135 receptions that year. Additionally, he led the league in slot receiving yards in both 2022 and 2023. Despite these accomplishments, the chemistry between him and Prescott seems to require more fine-tuning, particularly after Lamb missed practice time with Prescott during training camp.
"We were able to move the ball last week. Touchdowns were the problem," Prescott admitted. This lack of scoring punch was evident against the Saints, as the Cowboys could not convert their drives into touchdowns. Head coach Mike McCarthy emphasized the importance of offseason work to build synergy, stating, "Our guys have done a really good job, especially away from here in the offseason, the summertime of spending that time together."
Dallas will need more than just past accolades as they prepare to face the Baltimore Ravens next. The Ravens have allowed the most passing yards per game at 257.0 and have a 68.4% success rate on targets to the slot—an area where Lamb has excelled. Prescott and Lamb's ability to connect on vertical routes, where they previously recorded 26 completions and 628 receiving yards last season, will be critical.
Lamb remains optimistic about turning things around. "That's just only the beginning. Everything that I've trained for in the offseason is going to come to life. I have no doubt about it," he asserted. Meanwhile, Prescott believes that refining their red zone execution could be the key to unlocking their offensive potential. "We can hold some windows longer. I can anticipate a little bit better. I think once you get that going a little bit more, I think that’s just where the red zone will take off," he explained.
As the Cowboys aim to bounce back, the upcoming game against the Ravens presents a crucial test. It's not just about yardage or momentary brilliance; it’s about sustained efficiency and capitalizing on opportunities. Both Lamb and Prescott have shown they have the talent; now, it’s a matter of syncing their efforts to avoid the pitfalls of previous games. One thing is clear: the Cowboys need to find their groove quickly if they hope to stay competitive in this young season.