Dallas Cowboys Fall Hard to New Orleans Saints
The Dallas Cowboys were dealt a crushing blow in their Week 2 matchup against the New Orleans Saints, enduring a painful 44-19 defeat. This performance starkly contrasted with their triumphant 33-17 victory over the Cleveland Browns in Week 1, raising questions about consistency and execution on both sides of the ball.
The game started disastrously for the Cowboys as the Saints, under the leadership of quarterback Derek Carr, scored a touchdown on each of their first six drives, dismantling the Dallas defense. Among the standout moments, the Saints executed a meticulous 80-yard drive that culminated in a five-yard touchdown run from Alvin Kamara. Kamara was unstoppable, racking up 180 yards from scrimmage and securing three touchdowns, a significant contributor to the Cowboys' woes.
"For sure humbling, can't give up big plays and start the game off like that. Got us on our heels," lamented Dallas linebacker Eric Kendricks. His words reflected the broader sentiment within the team, which found itself uncharacteristically disorganized and overrun.
The first half was particularly dire for Dallas, as they allowed 35 points, tying a franchise record for the most points conceded in the first half of a game. This marked the second-largest home opener defeat since owner Jerry Jones took over the team, a statistic that underscores the magnitude of the loss.
Defensive Struggles
One of the more glaring issues for the Cowboys was their defensive front's inability to apply pressure on Derek Carr. In Week 1, they had six sacks and two interceptions against the Browns. However, against the Saints, the Cowboys could muster only one sack and one interception, resulting in a meager 17.6% quarterback pressure rate.
Cornerback Trevon Diggs did not hold back in his assessment, stating, "Unacceptable. Yeah, it's not necessarily confusing, it's just you have to be on your toes. You have to be on your Ps and Qs because they can run it, play-action and then when they are passing the ball, they're max-protecting everybody. So we're not getting any [pass] rush. You're just out there just, you know, this is unacceptable. We ain't come to play today."
This sentiment was echoed by linebacker Micah Parsons, who pinpointed tactical flaws and basic execution issues. "We have to use our hands and feet. We got a guy like Kamara. We're not tackling well. We're arm-tackling. We're trying to pull a guy down. We got to be aggressive, we have to create penetration and do a much better job tackling," Parsons noted.
Furthermore, Parsons praised the Saints' offensive strategy. "They did a great job schematically. Everything was short. Everything was quick, and if it wasn't, it was max [protect], two-man routes. ... Instead of having a lineman block me in max protection with a chip, they sent a chip with a lineman and sent a running back to cut. I was going through a maze almost. I thought that was creative, a new way."
Locker Room Reflections
In the aftermath of the defeat, a somber mood permeated the Cowboys' locker room. "I feel like you look around the locker, you can sense it. Obviously everyone is disappointed. We didn't want that, especially at the home opener. The NFL will humble you like that. This isn't the first time I've been a part of that. We got to make a stand. We got to come back to work tomorrow. Obviously, let it hurt for a little bit. I think that's a good thing. Put it in our rearview and work toward the next," Eric Kendricks expressed.
The game film, often a harsh revealer of mistakes, will be crucial for the Cowboys as they seek to rectify their shortcomings. Micah Parsons emphasized personal accountability in his response. "Everyone is going to say they did their job and everything was perfect right now, but the film tells all. I can't wait to see the film. I don't know who was out of what gap [in the run game]. I know for the guys when I turn the film on, I want to say 'No. 11 was giving his all.' That's all that matters. Then, we're going to continue that standard. I got a job. I owe these guys. I owe my family a certain level of ball. I don't think I helped to the best of my abilities today."
As the Cowboys aim to rebound from this disheartening defeat, their resilience and ability to make adjustments will be tested in the weeks to come. The performance against the Saints serves as a stark reminder of the game's unpredictability and the constant need for preparedness and execution at the highest level.