In Week 2 of the NFL season, the Dallas Cowboys faced challenges on multiple fronts during their home opener against the New Orleans Saints. The focal point of their struggles was the miscommunication between wide receiver CeeDee Lamb and quarterback Dak Prescott. This misalignment during a pivotal second quarter play saw Prescott aiming for Lamb in the end zone on a slot fade route, only for the duo to miss their connection entirely. The Cowboys had to settle for a 38-yard field goal by kicker Brandon Aubrey, bringing the score to 14-6, but eventually suffering a heavy 44-19 loss to the Saints.
Mistakes like these have prompted reflections and acknowledgments from key players and the coaching staff. Lamb, who signed a lucrative four-year, $136 million extension before training camp in 2023, admitted that missing practice time with Prescott may have contributed to the misstep. “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." It’s clear that this sentiment is shared across the team as they seek to prevent such issues from recurring.
Head coach Mike McCarthy underscored the efforts made during the offseason to build chemistry between players. "Our guys have done a really good job, especially away from here in the offseason, the summertime of spending that time together," said McCarthy. Yet, as evidenced by their performance in Week 2, the fruits of these off-field efforts are still ripening on the field. Prescott himself echoed the emphasis on continuous communication, stating, "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."
The Cowboys' season stats up to this point paint a mixed picture. Lamb, despite the recent hiccups, led the NFL with 135 receptions in 2023 and has consistently been a top performer in slot receiving yards for consecutive years. Prescott, on the other hand, led the league in passing touchdowns with 36 last season, a commendable achievement that showcases his potential when things click with his receiving corps. However, their run game has lagged significantly, averaging just 85 yards per game and placing them 25th in the NFL. Their efficiency on the ground also suffers, with an average of 3.7 yards per attempt, ranking 26th in the league.
The latest game against the Saints further highlighted the team’s offensive struggles. Prescott failed to complete any of his three vertical route attempts to Lamb and threw a critical interception to Saints safety Tyrann Mathieu. Such lapses have highlighted their difficulties in the red zone, a point Prescott is keenly aware of. "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," Prescott noted.
Looking ahead, the Cowboys face yet another stern test as they prepare to go up against the Baltimore Ravens. The Ravens, who allow the most passing yards per game at 257.0, could present an opportunity for Prescott and Lamb to regain their form, especially considering the Ravens’ 68.4% success rate on targets to the slot. "That's just only the beginning," Lamb said with a sense of determination about his offseason training. "Everything that I've trained for in the offseason is going to come to life. I have no doubt about it."
With a demanding schedule ahead, the Dallas Cowboys need to address their inconsistencies both in the passing game and ground attack. The presence of running backs like Rico Dowdle, Ezekiel Elliott, and Deuce Vaughn has not yet translated into a formidable rushing threat. McCarthy and his coaching staff face the considerable task of turning potential into performance. As Prescott aptly put it, "We were able to move the ball last week. Touchdowns were the problem."
The Cowboys’ next game against the Ravens will be a critical proving ground for the team, providing an opportunity to solidify the chemistry between Prescott and Lamb and, hopefully, begin a push towards a more cohesive and successful season.