The Dallas Cowboys faced a humbling defeat in their Week 2 matchup against the New Orleans Saints, suffering a staggering 44-19 loss. This result sharply contrasted their Week 1 performance, where they secured a convincing 33-17 victory over the Cleveland Browns.
New Orleans, with Derek Carr at the helm, dominated right from the outset. The Saints showcased an offensive clinic, scoring a touchdown on each of their first six drives. An 80-yard drive epitomized their efficiency, culminating in a five-yard touchdown run by Alvin Kamara. Kamara proved instrumental, racking up 180 yards from scrimmage and scoring three touchdowns.
The Cowboys' defensive struggles were evident, as they allowed 35 points in the first half alone, tying a franchise record for the most points conceded in the first half of a game. The defeat marked the second-largest home opener loss under the ownership of Jerry Jones.
Star linebacker Eric Kendricks was candid about the team's performance. "For sure humbling, can't give up big plays and start the game off like that. Got us on our heels," he reflected. The sentiment echoed across the locker room, with a palpable sense of disappointment among the players.
Defensive Breakdown
Dallas's defense, which had been formidable against the Browns with six sacks and two interceptions, faltered against the Saints. They managed only one sack and one interception, posting a mere 17.6% quarterback pressure rate. Trevon Diggs didn't mince words, describing the game as "unacceptable." He elaborated, "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."
Micah Parsons also weighed in on the defensive woes. "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," he stated. Parsons highlighted the strategic acumen of the Saints, acknowledging their innovative blocking schemes. "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."
A Call for Resilience
The locker room atmosphere post-game was somber, but there was an underlying resolve to bounce back. Kendricks spoke to this collective determination, saying, "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."
The players recognized the need for introspection and accountability. "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," Parsons asserted.
As the Cowboys move forward, this game will undoubtedly serve as a learning experience. The resilience and ability to adapt will be crucial as they aim to regain their footing in the coming weeks. The task ahead is challenging, but the team’s resolve remains unwavering.