Dallas Cowboys Routed by New Orleans Saints in Week 2 Showdown
The Dallas Cowboys, coming off a convincing 33-17 victory over the Cleveland Browns in Week 1, faced a stark reality check as they were trounced 44-19 by the New Orleans Saints in their Week 2 matchup. This defeat at their home opener marked the second-largest loss under owner Jerry Jones, leaving both players and fans in a state of shock.
From the onset, the Saints, with Derek Carr at the helm, dominated the Cowboys. Carr orchestrated six consecutive touchdown drives, tenaciously tearing apart the Dallas defense. Highlighting this offensive onslaught was an 80-yard drive capped by a five-yard touchdown run from Alvin Kamara. Kamara proved to be unstoppable, racking up 180 yards from scrimmage and scoring three touchdowns.
The dismal performance from the Cowboys' defense was palpable. Dallas conceded an astounding 35 points in the first half alone, tying a franchise record for the most points allowed in the first half of a game. Reflecting on this, linebacker Micah Parsons candidly remarked, "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."
Eric Kendricks echoed a similar sentiment, acknowledging the humbling nature of the loss. "For sure humbling, can't give up big plays and start the game off like that. Got us on our heels," Kendricks admitted. The home opener results have visibly dampened the morale in 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," Kendricks added.
The stark difference in defensive prowess between Week 1 and Week 2 was glaringly evident. Dallas, which had six sacks and two interceptions in their previous game against the Browns, could only muster one sack and one interception against the Saints. Their quarterback pressure rate plummeted to a meager 17.6%, a statistic reflective of their struggles throughout the game. Trevon Diggs didn't mince words when addressing the issue. "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," Diggs stated.
The Saints' strategic offensive schemes further compounded the Cowboys' woes. Employing short, quick plays and max protection, the Saints were able to neutralize Dallas's pass rush efficiently. Micah Parsons recognized their tactical prowess, noting, "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."
As the Cowboys look to rebound from this substantial setback, introspection and accountability are paramount. "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," Parsons reflected. "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."
While the road ahead may seem daunting, the Cowboys must regroup and strategize effectively to overcome the challenges that lie before them. Their readiness and execution in upcoming games will be vital to reclaiming their stature and demonstrating their resilience in the face of adversity.