Miscommunications Mark Cowboys' Home Opener Against Saints
The Dallas Cowboys' home opener against the New Orleans Saints in Week 2 was marred by miscommunications, particularly between star wide receiver CeeDee Lamb and quarterback Dak Prescott. The game, which ended in a tough 44-19 loss for the Cowboys, exposed a troubling disconnect between Prescott and his lead receiver.
Early in the second quarter, Prescott aimed for Lamb in the end zone on a slot fade route, only for the play to breakdown due to misalignment. The drive concluded with a 38-yard field goal by Brandon Aubrey, narrowing the score to 14-6. However, this missed touchdown opportunity exemplified the broader struggles between Prescott and Lamb throughout the game. Prescott failed to complete any of his three attempts to Lamb on vertical routes and later threw an interception to Saints safety Tyrann Mathieu.
Lamb openly admitted that the mistake stemmed from missing valuable practice time with Prescott during training camp. "It's all about getting on the same page as your quarterback being a receiver," Lamb acknowledged. "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."
Team owner and manager Jerry Jones has seen similar setbacks before, but the Cowboys' performance against the Saints signals deeper concerns. Lamb, fresh off signing a four-year, $136 million extension before the 2023 training camp, had led the NFL with 135 receptions last year, while Prescott topped the league with 36 passing touchdowns. Their chemistry on vertical routes was evident in past seasons, with 26 completions for 628 yards last season alone.
Yet, the lack of cohesion this season is apparent. "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 said, reflecting on the game.
Head coach Mike McCarthy emphasized that this season has presented its challenges, but stressed the importance of the relationship between his quarterback and main receiver. "Our guys have done a really good job, especially away from here in the offseason, the summertime of spending that time together," said McCarthy. Despite these efforts, the on-field execution fell short when it mattered most.
Another area of concern is the Cowboys' lackluster run game, which currently averages 85 yards per game, ranking 25th in the NFL. The team's running backs, including Rico Dowdle, Ezekiel Elliott, and Deuce Vaughn, have struggled to gain traction, collectively averaging merely 3.7 yards per attempt and placing 26th in this regard. This inefficiency puts additional pressure on Prescott and the passing game.
"We were able to move the ball last week. Touchdowns were the problem," Prescott noted. This was clearly evident in their inability to capitalize on critical moments, often settling for field goals instead of converting drives into touchdowns.
Looking forward, the Cowboys have a tough matchup against the Baltimore Ravens. This presents both a challenge and an opportunity. The Ravens’ defense, which has allowed the most passing yards per game at 257.0 and a 68.4% success rate on targets to the slot, could provide Prescott and Lamb with the ideal stage to reaffirm their connection. Lamb, who has led the NFL in slot receiving yards for two consecutive years, will be pivotal in exploiting this vulnerability.
As Prescott suggests, refining their red-zone strategy is crucial. "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." The synergy between Prescott and Lamb will be vital for the Cowboys' success moving forward.
CeeDee Lamb remains optimistic despite the recent setbacks. "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," he asserted. This confidence, coupled with improved communication and strategy execution, might be what the Cowboys need to turn their season around. The upcoming game against the Ravens will be the ultimate test of their resolve and ability to adapt under pressure.