In Week 2 of the NFL season, the Dallas Cowboys experienced a challenging home opener against the New Orleans Saints, marked by notable miscommunications between star wide receiver CeeDee Lamb and quarterback Dak Prescott. The Cowboys fell to a crushing 44-19 defeat, underscoring a series of offensive misfires and missed opportunities.
The game against the Saints was a significant test for the Cowboys, particularly as they had high expectations coming off a busy offseason. Jerry Jones, who manages and owns the Dallas Cowboys, has made substantial investments in key players, such as Lamb. The standout receiver inked a four-year, $136 million extension just before training camp in 2023, demonstrating the organization's commitment to securing top talent.
Despite the high hopes, the offensive execution was marred by miscommunications, particularly between Prescott and Lamb. One pivotal moment came in the second quarter when Prescott aimed for Lamb in the end zone on a slot fade route. But the play was disrupted by a misalignment, resulting in the Cowboys settling for a 38-yard field goal by kicker Brandon Aubrey. The score, at that point, was only 14-6 in favor of the Saints. This moment was indicative of the broader issues plaguing the Cowboys' offense throughout the game.
Reflecting on the game, Lamb attributed the mistake to missing 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."
Prescott, who led the league with 36 passing touchdowns in 2023, echoed Lamb's sentiments about the need for better communication and practice consistency. "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 observed.
This is not to say that the Cowboys' offensive struggles were limited to Prescott and Lamb. The team's run game has been underwhelming, averaging only 85 yards per game and ranking 25th in the NFL. Additionally, the Cowboys average a meager 3.7 yards per attempt, placing them 26th in the league. Their backfield, featuring Rico Dowdle, Ezekiel Elliott, and Deuce Vaughn, has yet to find a consistent rhythm.
Moreover, in the recent game against the Saints, Prescott threw an interception to Saints safety Tyrann Mathieu and failed to complete any of his three vertical route attempts to Lamb. "We can hold some windows longer," Prescott said post-game. "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."
Head coach Mike McCarthy has recognized the importance of off-field collaboration, emphasizing the work put in during the offseason. "Our guys have done a really good job, especially away from here in the offseason, the summertime of spending that time together," McCarthy commented. This offseason effort is expected to translate into more cohesive game-time performances as the season progresses.
Next up for the Cowboys is a matchup against the Baltimore Ravens. The Ravens' defense has allowed the most passing yards per game at 257.0 and a 68.4% success rate on targets to the slot. This could provide an advantageous scenario for Prescott and Lamb to exploit, particularly given that Lamb has led the NFL in slot receiving yards in both 2022 and 2023. Last season, Prescott and Lamb connected for 26 completions and 628 receiving yards on vertical routes, highlighting their potential for high-impact plays.
Lamb remains confident in his and the team's ability to rectify early-season mistakes and capitalize on their potential going forward. "That's just only the beginning," Lamb stated. "Everything that I've trained for in the offseason is going to come to life. I have no doubt about it."
The Cowboys know they need to iron out their current issues if they are to live up to preseason expectations. Prescott summed up the sentiment well: "We were able to move the ball last week. Touchdowns were the problem." With a comprehensive approach to fixing their communication issues and refocusing on execution, Dallas will look to turn the tide in their upcoming games.