In Week 2 of the NFL season, the Dallas Cowboys experienced a tumultuous game during their home opener against the New Orleans Saints. Miscommunications between wide receiver CeeDee Lamb and quarterback Dak Prescott played a significant role in their 44-19 defeat.
Dallas Cowboys owner and manager Jerry Jones watched from the stands as Prescott targeted Lamb in the end zone during the second quarter on a slot fade route. However, misalignment between the two led to an incomplete pass, costing the Cowboys a potential touchdown. Instead, they settled for a 38-yard field goal by Brandon Aubrey, narrowing the score to 14-6.
Reflecting on the game, Lamb admitted that missing practice time with Prescott during training camp contributed to the mistakes. "It's all about getting on the same page as your quarterback being a receiver," Lamb said. "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' struggles weren't confined to this one miscommunication. Prescott threw an interception to Saints safety Tyrann Mathieu and failed to complete any of his three vertical route attempts to Lamb. These issues spotlighted the communication problems Prescott emphasized post-game. "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," Prescott reiterated.
A Star Player's Performance
CeeDee Lamb, who signed a four-year, $136 million extension before the 2023 training camp, led the NFL with 135 receptions in 2023. He also topped the league in slot receiving yards for two consecutive years, 2022 and 2023. Lamb's excellence in receiving is evident, yet the team's inefficiencies in other areas are glaringly obvious.
The Cowboys' running game is a particularly sore spot, averaging just 85 yards per game, ranking 25th in the NFL, and a dismal 3.7 yards per attempt, placing them at 26th. The primary running backs—Rico Dowdle, Ezekiel Elliott, and Deuce Vaughn—haven’t been able to generate consistent yardage, putting extra pressure on Prescott and the passing game.
Red Zone Woes
Prescott, who led the league with 36 passing touchdowns in 2023, admitted that while they moved the ball effectively, touchdowns remained elusive. "We were able to move the ball last week. Touchdowns were the problem," he stated. This was a recurring theme for the Cowboys, as their inefficiency in the red zone continues to be a significant hurdle.
Prescott elaborated on the importance of improving their red zone execution. "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 said, showing his focus on refining their play.
Looking Ahead
The Dallas Cowboys are set to face the Baltimore Ravens next. The Ravens, while allowing the most passing yards per game at 257.0, have a 68.4% success rate on targets to the slot. This statistic might play to the Cowboys' advantage, considering Lamb's proven prowess in slot receiving.
In the previous season, Prescott and Lamb connected for 26 completions and 628 receiving yards on vertical routes, showcasing a strong quarterback-receiver dynamic when in sync. Head Coach Mike McCarthy praised the duo's offseason efforts, stating, "Our guys have done a really good job, especially away from here in the offseason, the summertime of spending that time together."
Lamb remains optimistic about the team's potential despite the recent setback. "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," Lamb expressed confidently.
As the Cowboys prepare for their next game, the focus will undoubtedly be on improving communication and execution. The potential for turning their fortunes around lies in the hands of Prescott and Lamb, whose connection will be crucial in navigating the challenges ahead.