ARLINGTON, Texas — In a disheartening home opener, the Dallas Cowboys suffered a 44-19 defeat to the New Orleans Saints, marking a significant setback early in the season. The Cowboys' defense allowed the Saints to score on their first six drives, quickly establishing a deficit that proved insurmountable.
Despite the grim outcome, there were flashes of brilliance, most notably CeeDee Lamb's spectacular 65-yard touchdown catch. The play was a glimmer of hope, narrowing the deficit to 21-13. However, the Cowboys' momentum was short-lived. Jalen Brooks slipping on a crucial slant route led to Dak Prescott's first of two interceptions, and consequently, the Saints capitalized with two more touchdowns before halftime, extending their lead to 35-16.
The Cowboys' inability to capitalize on key opportunities was evident. They managed to convert six of their 13 third-down attempts, but their struggles were most glaring in the red zone, where they failed to convert three crucial chances. "I just didn't convert in the red zone. They didn't throw anything we weren't ready for. It’s on me," Prescott candidly admitted.
On the ground, the Cowboys' rushing attack has been lackluster, averaging just 85 yards per game through two weeks. The trio of Ezekiel Elliott, Rico Dowdle, and Deuce Vaughn struggled to fill the void left by Tony Pollard, contributing to the team's woes.
One of the few positives was the burgeoning chemistry between Prescott and Lamb. Despite its imperfections, the duo managed to connect on nine out of 17 targets for 151 yards and a touchdown. Prescott, reflecting on the working relationship with Lamb, said, "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."
However, Prescott's performance has been underwhelming, with a passer rating of 81.4 through the first two games. Last season, the Cowboys had a remarkable 76 plays of 20 or more yards, but this season, they have managed just four. "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," Prescott commented, underscoring his determination to improve.
In the face of these challenges, Prescott knows that perfection isn't the goal, but execution is crucial. "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," he noted.
As the Cowboys prepare for their next game against the Baltimore Ravens, the urgency to iron out these early-season wrinkles is palpable. Their defense must tighten up, the run game needs revitalization, and Prescott must find greater consistency to steer the team back on course. The opening weeks have unveiled areas requiring immediate attention if the Cowboys are to reverse their fortunes and make a strong push this season.