Dallas Cowboys Fall Short in Home Opener Against New Orleans Saints
ARLINGTON, Texas — The Dallas Cowboys were unable to secure a victory in their home opener, suffering a 44-19 defeat at the hands of the New Orleans Saints. The Cowboys' defense was porous from the start, allowing the Saints to score on their first six drives.
While the Cowboys attempted to mount a comeback, their efforts were thwarted by critical mistakes. Early in the game, CeeDee Lamb provided a spark with an impressive 65-yard touchdown reception, narrowing the gap to 21-13. However, a series of missteps soon followed. Jalen Brooks’ slip on a slant route led to Dak Prescott’s first interception of the night, a pivotal moment that the Saints capitalized on with two additional touchdowns before halftime.
By the break, the Saints had established a commanding 35-16 lead, and the Cowboys found themselves with an uphill battle. Despite converting six of their 13 third-down attempts, the Cowboys failed to capitalize on three critical red-zone opportunities—a shortcoming that ultimately sealed their fate.
As the game progressed, it became evident that the Cowboys' rushing attack was lacking the firepower needed to compensate for Tony Pollard's absence. Ezekiel Elliott, Rico Dowdle, and Deuce Vaughn collectively managed only 85 rushing yards per game in the first two weeks, a stark contrast to their previous performances.
Challenges on Both Sides of the Ball
Prescott and Lamb's partnership showed promise, with the quarterback connecting with Lamb on nine of his 17 targets for 151 yards and a touchdown. However, the chemistry between the duo is still a work in progress. Prescott acknowledged the ongoing adjustment period, noting, "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 also reflected on the team’s inability to score touchdowns despite moving the ball effectively. "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," he said.
The Cowboys' struggle to convert big plays has been a notable issue. Last season, they managed 76 plays of 20 or more yards; this season, they have only managed four. Prescott, who currently has a passer rating of 81.4 through two games, recognized his own shortcomings. "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 admitted.
Looking Ahead
As the Cowboys prepare to face the Baltimore Ravens in their next game, there’s an urgent need to address both offensive and defensive inconsistencies. Prescott emphasized the importance of each player trusting their role, saying, "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."
In summary, the Cowboys' performance against the Saints highlighted several areas requiring immediate attention. From defensive lapses to missed red-zone opportunities and ongoing chemistry building between Prescott and Lamb, the team has a lot to refine. With a demanding matchup against the Ravens on the horizon, the Cowboys must quickly regroup and strategize if they hope to change their fortunes in the upcoming weeks.