Thrashing at AT&T Stadium: Saints Overwhelm Cowboys
ARLINGTON, Texas — The Dallas Cowboys faced a crushing defeat in their home opener, falling 44-19 to the New Orleans Saints. The Cowboys' defense was hapless, allowing the Saints to score on their first six drives, setting the tone for a long and grueling evening for the Dallas faithful.
Despite the defeat, there were brief moments of hope for the Cowboys. CeeDee Lamb provided a spark with an electrifying 65-yard touchdown pass, narrowing the deficit to 21-13. Lamb's touchdown offered a glimmer of optimism, but it was overshadowed by a series of costly mistakes and missed opportunities.
Jalen Brooks' unfortunate slip during a slant route led to Dak Prescott's first of two interceptions, further compounding the team's struggles. The Saints capitalized on the ensuing drive, adding two more touchdowns before halftime and sailing into the break with a dominant 35-16 lead.
Missed Opportunities
The Cowboys had numerous opportunities to close the gap but failed to capitalize, particularly in the red zone. Despite converting six of their 13 third-down attempts, they were unable to score in three critical red-zone opportunities. The Saints, by contrast, were more efficient, converting five out of eight third-down attempts.
The running game, which has been a cornerstone of the Cowboys' offense in recent years, was another area of concern. Through two weeks, the Cowboys are averaging just 85 rushing yards per game. The trio of Ezekiel Elliott, Rico Dowdle, and Deuce Vaughn struggled to fill the void left by the absence of Tony Pollard. The lack of a consistent ground game put further pressure on Prescott and the passing attack.
Prescott and Lamb showed flashes of potential but also highlighted the need for better chemistry. They connected on nine of Lamb's 17 targets for 151 yards and a touchdown, but it was evident that the duo still has work to do.
"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, reflecting on the miscommunications that plagued their effort.
Quarterback Accountability
Prescott's performance, marked by a passer rating of 81.4 through two games, has come under scrutiny. He took on much of the responsibility for the loss, emphasizing the need for red-zone efficiency and better decision-making.
"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, taking ownership of the team's offensive struggles. He also acknowledged the importance of using his mobility to extend plays and create opportunities. "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."
Despite the setbacks, Prescott remains unwavering in his high expectations for himself and the team. "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."
Looking Forward
The Cowboys now face a daunting challenge as they prepare for their next game against the Baltimore Ravens. With significant issues to address on both sides of the ball, the team will hope to regroup and find the form that has long been expected of them. As they continue to mesh and build chemistry, the flashes of brilliance seen against the Saints will need to become more consistent if they are to turn their season around.