Cowboys Studs and Duds: Did anyone or anything look like a vibe in Sunday’s debacle?
After 16 straight home victories, the last two Dallas Cowboys games at AT&T Stadium have looked identical, but not in a positive way. Like the loss to the Green Bay Packers, the game was a lopsided blowout early. The New Orleans Saints put up a touchdown on their first six drives, scoring 44 points overall in a blowout that showed little resistance. The Dallas offense scored points on five of their first six drives, but it was a battle for almost every yard they gained. In the second half, they were too far behind to be impactful on offense without a viable rushing attack to help a passing attack, which was limited by the loss of Jake Ferguson.
Being blown out in the home opener makes it challenging to find good performances and easy to find poor ones, but even a loss like this has some people who still shine around the myriads of terrible plays shown this week by Dallas.
Duds: Cowboys pass defense
Sep 15, 2024; Arlington, Texas, USA; New Orleans Saints quarterback Derek Carr (4) celebrates after scoring a touchdown during the first half against the Dallas Cowboys at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images
The Saints’ pass offense was efficient and dominant on the road. Derek Carr had just 16 attempts, only three pass catchers had more than one catch, but all three averaged over 20 yards per reception. Carr threw for 15 yards per reception, had two touchdown passes, and was only sacked once. The top three pass catchers accumulated 10 receptions on 13 targets for 242 yards and two scores. It was an embarrassing performance from a defense with plenty of talented players. The Shanahan offensive scheme has been difficult for Dallas, and new defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer also failed his first test.
Studs: First half passing offense
ARLINGTON, TEXAS – SEPTEMBER 15: Dak Prescott #4 and CeeDee Lamb #88 of the Dallas Cowboys celebrate a touchdown during the second quarter at AT&T Stadium on September 15, 2024 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Sam Hodde/Getty Images)
The Cowboys’ offense tried to keep the game competitive early, even with the Saints scoring 21 points on their first 12 plays. Dak Prescott was 17-23 for 184 yards with a touchdown and an interception, scoring on five of their first six drives. The interception was courtesy of a slipping receiver. Dallas scored 16 points in the first two quarters, putting them on pace for 32 points overall. That would be enough to win most games, but it would’ve still lost to the Saints’ first-half scoring. The offense was competitive early, but the defense could never get a stop to give them a chance at a comeback.
Duds: Cowboys rushing defense
Sep 15, 2024; Arlington, Texas, USA; New Orleans Saints wide receiver Rashid Shaheed (22) takes a pitch from quarterback Derek Carr (4) in the first quarter against the Dallas Cowboys at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-Imagn Images
Alvin Kamara was the most dominant player on the field today at AT&T Stadium. He ran for 115 yards and three scores on only 20 attempts, but the run defense was a dud for more than just Kamara’s performance. Dallas allowed five players to rush for at least 4.2 yards per attempt, including specialist Taysom Hill and both starting receivers. The top area of concern in the Prescott era has been run defense and it showed itself again in Week 2.
Studs: K Brandon Aubrey
Sep 15, 2024; Arlington, Texas, USA; Dallas Cowboys place kicker Brandon Aubrey (17) kicks a field goal against the New Orleans Saints in the first quarter at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-Imagn Images
Brandon Aubrey might be the best kicker in the league in his second season in the NFL. Dallas continued to move the ball offensively, and Aubrey made kick after kick to help put points on the when they stalled out. He went five for five on kicks, making four field goals from 52, 38, 48, and 40 yards. Aubrey is a huge weapon for the Cowboys, and he helped keep Dallas in the contest for as long as he could.
Duds: Red-zone offense
Sep 15, 2024; Arlington, Texas, USA; Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott (4) hands off to running back Rico Dowdle (23) in the first quarter against the New Orleans Saints at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-Imagn Images
If Dallas scored touchdowns on every drive they were held to a field goal, they’d still have lost by two scores. The offense wasn’t an issue in this game because the defense was so poor that the good early offense became meaningless. On a macro level, looking ahead, the Dallas offense has to score more touchdowns. Going 0-3 in the redzone will cost them every time, but hopefully, as the rookie offensive linemen and young weapons develop, the team will get better.
A miscommunication cost Dallas four points early when Prescott missed a wide-open CeeDee Lamb in the endzone for a 29-yard score. Dallas would end up in the red zone a play later, but the drive stalled, leading to a field goal. A pass to Ezekiel Elliott came up short, putting Dallas behind the chains, and then the Saints caused a strip sack to stop another redzone drive. Getting better in this area could be a key to more competitive games.
You can find Mike Crum on Twitter @cdpiglet or YouTube on the Across the Cowboys Podcast
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