In Week 2 of the NFL season, the Dallas Cowboys faced a challenging home opener against the New Orleans Saints, highlighted by miscommunications between wide receiver CeeDee Lamb and quarterback Dak Prescott. Despite efforts from the team, their offensive struggles led to a tough 44-19 loss.
The Cowboys' misplays were evident when Prescott aimed for Lamb in the end zone on a slot fade route during the second quarter, only to suffer from a misalignment. This critical error forced the Cowboys to settle for a 38-yard field goal by kicker Brandon Aubrey, bringing the score to 14-6 at the time.
"It's all about getting on the same page as your quarterback being a receiver," Lamb acknowledged post-game. "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."
Lamb's offseason dedication was clear as he led the NFL with 135 receptions in 2023. He also signed a lucrative four-year, $136 million extension before training camp, solidifying his commitment to the Cowboys. The receiver admitted that missing practice time with Prescott during camp contributed to their on-field errors. This lack of synchronization ultimately showed during the game.
Offensive Struggles
Dak Prescott, who led the league in passing touchdowns with 36 in 2023, faced significant difficulties against the Saints. Failing to connect on any of his three vertical route attempts to Lamb and throwing a costly interception to Saints safety Tyrann Mathieu, Prescott's performance underscored the Cowboys' broader offensive issues.
"Just continuing to communicate each and every day that we're in here, whether it's the film, whether it's something at practice," Prescott emphasized. "Certain routes to make sure that some of those mistakes don't happen again."
Prescott’s frustration was evident as he discussed the team's problems in the red zone. "We were able to move the ball last week. Touchdowns were the problem," he noted, expressing hope that improved communication would bolster their effectiveness down the stretch.
The Running Game
Compounding the Cowboys' woes is their struggling run game, which averages just 85 yards per game, ranking 25th in the NFL. The team has also been ineffective in terms of efficiency, averaging a mere 3.7 yards per attempt, placing them 26th in the league. Running backs Rico Dowdle, Ezekiel Elliott, and Deuce Vaughn must step up to provide more support to Prescott and the passing game.
Upcoming Challenges
Looking ahead, the Cowboys face another formidable opponent in the Baltimore Ravens. Defensively, the Ravens have allowed the most passing yards per game at 257.0 and have a 68.4% success rate on targets to the slot. This could provide an opportunity for Lamb, who led the NFL in slot receiving yards in 2022 and 2023, and Prescott to exploit the Ravens' vulnerabilities.
"Our guys have done a really good job, especially away from here in the offseason, the summertime of spending that time together," stated Cowboys Head Coach Mike McCarthy, expressing confidence in the team's chemistry moving forward.
Rekindling Success
Prescott and Lamb have previously showcased their dynamic connection, accumulating 26 completions and 628 receiving yards on vertical routes last season. This partnership will be crucial if the Cowboys hope to rebound from their recent loss and find success moving forward.
"That's just only the beginning," Lamb said optimistically. "Everything that I've trained for in the offseason is going to come to life. I have no doubt about it."
As the Cowboys prepare to face the Ravens, Prescott echoed Lamb's sentiments on improving red zone efficiency. "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," he said.
The combination of Lamb's unwavering determination and Prescott's commitment to refining their connection offers a glimmer of hope for Cowboys fans. The upcoming clash against the Ravens will be a critical test for Dallas as they aim to align their offense and earn redemption on the field.