In a troubling performance for the Dallas Cowboys, their defense faltered significantly in Week 2 against the New Orleans Saints, suffering a staggering 44-19 defeat. This loss came as a stark contrast to their Week 1 victory, where they secured a solid 33-17 triumph over the Cleveland Browns. The marked discrepancy between the two performances emphasized the inconsistency plaguing the Cowboys.
A Dominant Display by the Saints
The Saints, spearheaded by quarterback Derek Carr, showcased an offensively dominant game, putting up touchdowns in each of their first six drives. An 80-yard drive concluded with a five-yard touchdown run by Alvin Kamara set the tone early on. Kamara proved to be an unstoppable force, amassing a whopping 180 yards from scrimmage and scoring three touchdowns in the process.
The Cowboys' defense, which had been robust in their opener with six sacks and two interceptions, found themselves overwhelmed. Their inability to contain the Saints was evident, as they allowed 35 points in the first half alone. This tied a franchise record for the most points conceded in the first half of a game, marking it as the second-largest home opener defeat under owner Jerry Jones.
Defensive Struggles
Speaking on the defensive lapse, linebacker Eric Kendricks candidly admitted, "For sure humbling, can't give up big plays and start the game off like that. Got us on our heels." His words encapsulate the overall sentiment resonating through the team’s locker room.
Adding to the defensive woes, cornerback Trevon Diggs expressed his frustration, "Unacceptable. Yeah, it's not necessarily confusing, it's just you have to be on your toes. You have to be on your Ps and Qs because they can run it, play-action and then when they [are] passing the ball, they're max-protecting everybody. So we're not getting any [pass] rush... You're just out there just, you know, this is unacceptable. We ain't come to play today."
The defensive line struggled to assert pressure on the quarterback, managing just one sack and one interception against the Saints, starkly contrasting their opening week’s performance. With a meager 17.6% quarterback pressure rate, they simply couldn’t disrupt Carr's rhythm.
Efforts to Address Deficiencies
Linebacker Micah Parsons was notably vocal about the defensive shortcomings, stressing the importance of better tackling and penetration. "We have to use our hands and feet. We got a guy like Kamara. We're not tackling well. We're arm-tackling. We're trying to pull a guy down. We got to be aggressive, we have to create penetration and do a much better job tackling," Parsons remarked.
He also commended the Saints' offensive strategy, mentioning, "They did a great job schematically. Everything was short. Everything was quick, and if it wasn't, it was max [protect], two-man routes. ... Instead of having a lineman block me in max protection with a chip, they sent a chip with a lineman and sent a running back to cut. I was going through a maze almost. I thought that was creative, a new way."
Locker Room Sentiment
The atmosphere in the Cowboys' locker room post-game was undoubtedly somber. Kendricks reflected on the mood, "I feel like you look around the locker you can sense it. Obviously everyone is disappointed. We didn't want that, especially at the home opener. The NFL will humble you like that. This isn't the first time I've been a part of that. We got to make a stand. We got to come back to work tomorrow. Obviously, let it hurt for a little bit. I think that's a good thing. Put it in our rearview and work toward the next."
Parsons echoed a similar sentiment regarding personal accountability and team standards. "Everyone is going to say they did their job and everything was perfect right now, but the film tells all. I can't wait to see the film. I don't know who was out of what gap [in the run game]. I know for the guys when I turn the film on, I want to say 'No. 11 was giving his all.' That's all that matters. Then, we're going to continue that standard. I got a job. I owe these guys. I owe my family a certain level of ball. I don't think I helped to the best of my abilities today." His reflection serves as both a critique and a motivational message to his team.
The Cowboys' Week 2 performance highlighted critical areas that need addressing. It's a stark reminder of the volatility that can exist within the NFL and underscores the importance of consistency and preparation. As they regroup, the Cowboys must harness this defeat as a catalyst for improvement, ensuring they do not repeat such a performance in future games.