Position battleground (defense): Cowboys vs Saints head-to-head breakdown

What are you expecting from the Cowboys defense this week?

Previously we broke down the offense for this week’s upcoming game for the Dallas Cowboys against the New Orleans Saints. Now we dive back into the position battleground, this time looking at how the defensive positions and special teams stack up against each other.

DEFENSIVE LINE

Prior to Week 1, there were significant concerns regarding the Cowboys’ defensive line, and these apprehensions were justified. Given the numerous new components, absent players, and uncertainties surrounding certain individuals, it was understandable for fans to experience anxiety leading up to the game against Cleveland. However, from the moment they stepped onto the field, the Cowboys’ defensive line exhibited dominance and showcased exceptional skill.

The Browns’ offensive line struggled to withstand the relentless onslaught, and regardless of who was on the attack, the Cowboys’ defensive line effortlessly bypassed any attempts to block them. Mazi Smith participated in 23 snaps on the interior, yielding mixed results. Osa Odighizuwa performed admirably, generating pressure that resulted in a sack for a teammate and making three significant stops at the line of scrimmage. Notably, Micah Parsons and DeMarcus Lawrence emerged as the standout players, applying considerable pressure. Collectively, they recorded a remarkable total of 18 pressures, three sacks, and six defensive stops, demonstrating extraordinary productivity.

This week, the Cowboys defensive line will contend with an offensive line that ranked 19th in total sacks allowed last season. But they permitted the seventh fewest pressures overall. The Saints are facing a potential issue with Lucas Patrick, who may be sidelined due to a toe injury. Should he be unable to play, anticipate significant inside rushes from Parsons and Odighizuwa. It is crucial for this defensive line unit to remain vigilant regarding the Saints’ run blocking, as the team accumulated a total of 180 rushing yards in the previous week.

The Saints’ defensive line is expected to pose a lesser challenge this week compared to what the Cowboys faced last week. Against the Carolina Panthers, the Saints entire line was unable to secure a single sack against a Panthers offensive line that is considered subpar. The primary concern this week is Carl Granderson, who has shown consistent improvement over his five years in New Orleans. He led the team in sacks last season. He plays a significant role as a right defensive end, which will put Tyler Guyton to the test once again. However, Guyton performed admirably against Myles Garrett last week. The only player on the defensive line whose starting status is uncertain is Khalen Saunders, so it is advisable to monitor his status in the practice report.
Win: Cowboys

LINEBACKER

The Cowboys appear to have a formidable linebacker corps, a development that may have surprised some fans. The potential within this unit has always been evident, yet fans were eager to witness the execution of their practice efforts in a competitive setting. Last weekend, they certainly delivered on that front. The defensive line performed well last week, and that provided support to the linebackers who collectively demonstrated their readiness to meet the challenge.

Eric Kendricks stood out with a remarkable performance, recording nine tackles, two sacks, one interception, and one tackle for loss—an elite level of production. Additionally, DeMarvion Overshown made a significant impact, swiftly executing a crucial tackle in the backfield. He led the team with a total of 11 tackles and also made one sack. This marks an impressive beginning for a promising group of linebackers.

Demario Davis is the key figure among the linebackers for the Saints. In the previous season, he ranked second on the team with six sacks and led the team with 121 tackles. Last week, he recorded a sack for the Saints but was limited to just two tackles. Another notable player is Pete Werner, who had an impressive season last year, accumulating 93 total tackles and four tackles for loss. He contributed with one tackle last week.

Conclusion:
The Cowboys linebacker corps answered a few lingering questions last week. Yes, it’s only one game but if that’s the ceiling then Cowboys fans should feel excited. They have to slow the Saints running backs in both the ground and passing game. But it’s also interesting to see how the Dallas running backs will feast this weekend.
Win: Cowboys

DEFENSIVE BACKS

Caelen Carson began his NFL career on a positive note, nearly achieving an interception on several occasions. He competed against both Jerry Jeudy and Amari Cooper, permitting a completion rate of 55% for a total of 88 yards. Additionally, he recorded two pass breakups and four tackles, marking a commendable beginning for Carson. Meanwhile, Trevon Diggs put a stamp on his return, securing his first interception of the season and demonstrating impressive agility on the field. Despite returning from an ACL injury sustained last season, he performed exceptionally well. Jourdan Lewis limited to he Browns to just 18 yards when they targeted him, and together with Diggs, they combined for a total of 10 tackles.

The defensive backs for the Saints are pretty good, spearheaded by Marshon Lattimore. He is currently questionable for this week due to a hamstring injury. Additionally, they boast a talented rookie, Kool-Aid McKinstry, who participated in 28 snaps during the previous game. Should Lattimore be sidelined, it is anticipated that McKinstry will take on a starting role.

The prospect of a rookie cornerback making his second NFL appearance is daunting, particularly when matched against either CeeDee Lamb or Brandin Cooks. It is likely that Dallas will seek to capitalize on this potential mismatch this week. The other cornerback on the team is Paulson Adebo, who recorded four interceptions last season and permitted a passer rating of 69.2. And don’t forget slot corner Alontae Taylor, who unbelievably had three sacks on blitzes last week versus the Panthers.

The safety position is anchored by Tyrann Mathieu, who, at 32 years old, may not possess the same dominance as in his prime, but still remains a player of significance. Last season, he recorded 75 tackles, marking his lowest total since 2019, and made four tackles in the most recent game.

Conclusion:
Both defensive back units are competent in this context; however, it is essential to consider the degree of challenge each side encounters. The Dallas Cowboys possess a more formidable wide receiver group, which implies that the New Orleans Saints’ defensive backs will have a greater workload. Ultimately, this head-to-head could come down to the performances of rookies Caelen Carson and Kool-Aid McKinstry.
Win: Push

SPECIAL TEAMS

Brandon Aubrey continues to demonstrate he’s a remarkable kicker. He had an opportunity to equal the NFL record with a 66-yard field goal, but due to the NFL clock crew’s oversight, the play clock expired, resulting in a five-yard penalty. This situation nearly transformed the attempt into a challenging 71-yard kick, and both the stadium audience and commentators believed the kick had potential, but Mike McCarthy listened to John Fassel and they punted. Aubrey successfully converted all three extra points and effortlessly completed all four of his field goal attempts, with his longest being an impressive 57 yards.

Blake Grupe successfully converted all five extra points for New Orleans last week and also completed all four of his field goal attempts. This marks a promising beginning for the second-year kicker. However, it is noteworthy that he missed seven field goals during the previous season, which is significantly more than Aubrey’s total.

The standout moment from last week was undoubtedly KaVonate Turpin’s remarkable 60-yard punt return for a touchdown. Throughout the previous season, he had come close to breaking a big return on several occasions, making this score particularly satisfying. This play basically sealed Cleveland’s defeat last week, and his 34-yard kickoff return was the fifth-longest after the first week of play. Currently, Turpin leads the NFL in punt return yards and is the sole player in the league to have scored a touchdown in this category.

Wide receiver, Rashid Shaheed, serves as the return specialist for the Saints. He recorded a kickoff return of 33 yards and currently holds the second position in the NFL for the longest punt return of 47 yards.
Win: Cowboys