Here are some specific things we are going to be watching on Sunday.
The Dallas Cowboys are off to a good start and will try to keep a good thing going when they play the New Orleans Saints in their home opener on Sunday. The Saints have been the definition of middling in recent years. They are 26-26 over their last 52 games. Some seasons are better than others, but they’ve never been terrible. In fact, the Saints have had at least seven wins in 18 straight seasons.
New Orleans is coming off a one-sided 47-10 home win over the Carolina Panthers, but that has more to do with a terrible performance by second-year quarterback Bryce Young. The Panthers looked terrible, and the Saints took full advantage. Some will say the same about the Cowboys dominating the Browns last week. Que sera, sera. With the teams squaring off, we’ll better see what’s legitimate and what was a façade created by a struggling opponent. Here are five things to watch when the Cowboys host the Saints on Sunday.
Chasing Taysom
Alvin Kamara is a dynamic runner who can hurt you both as a rusher and receiving. He’ll be the focal point of the Saints rushing attack. But the fun doesn’t stop with him. The Saints love to use utility knife player Taysom Hill in a multitude of ways. He’ll come in as a change-of-pace running back, he’ll roll out as a receiver, and he’ll take a direct snap from time to time. Hill is a slippery runner whose strength and speed make him so difficult to bring down on first contact. He will challenge the Cowboys’ tackling skills.
The last time the Cowboys played the Saints, Hill was their starting quarterback and the only offensive weapon they had. Despite a losing effort, Hill still managed to run for over 100 yards in that game. He won’t be asked to carry the workload in this one, but every time he has the ball in his hands, he’s a threat to make a big play.
Another vulnerable O Line
The Cowboys’ defense got a break by facing an injured Browns offensive line last week. Now, they’ll go up against a Saints group that is healthier, but still a little shaky. The Saints have invested a lot of draft capital in their line in recent years with four first-round investments Ryan Ramczyk (2017), Cesar Ruiz (2020), Trevor Penning (2022), and Taliese Fuaga (2024), but not every investment has produced dividends. Ramczyk is their best lineman, but he is out for the year recovering from a knee injury.
In Week 1, the Saints rolled out a promising young rookie in Fuaga on the left side, but a less promising Penning on the right side. Fuaga is on the injury report with a back issue and his status is unclear. This could mean more of the same for the Cowboys’ defensive line as DeMarcus Lawrence is notorious for exploiting tackles who are fundamentally deficient. And Micah Parsons is so electric that he will be a handful for whoever he lines up against.
The speed of Shaheed
The Saints don’t have a slew of receiving weapons. Chris Olave is their best pass catcher, but the skills of third-year receiver Rashid Shaheed shouldn’t be overlooked. He made himself known to the Panthers on the fifth play from scrimmage when he caught a 59-yard bomb from Derek Carr to quickly take a 7-0 lead. Shaheed is a fast receiver who has big-play-making ability.
Dallas’ defense didn’t allow any big plays last week and they would like to keep it that way. With some of the playmakers the Saints have on offense, this will be a tough challenge. If they allow Shaheed to get behind the corners, it could mean bad things for the Cowboys’ secondary. And don’t be surprised if the Saints look for more ways to get him the ball on Sunday.
Picking up the blitzes
One of the Cowboys’ best plays last week was when Dak Prescott lofted the ball up in the air as a Browns rusher came after him unblocked. Fortunately, Brandin Cooks was right where he was supposed to be and the Cowboys scored their first touchdown of the 2024 season. Just like they drew it up in practice.
The Cowboys will need to do a good job picking up blitzes as the Saints love to attack with their nickel corner Alontae Taylor. He wreaked havoc against the Panthers last week, sacking Bryce Young three times. Recognizing when he’s coming and providing help or having a quick pass contingency will be crucial in limiting the Saints’ ability to get the Cowboys offense off the field.
Another big return for Turpin
KaVontae Turpin returned a punt for a touchdown in a regular-season game for the first time in his NFL career. It only took the first game of his third season to do it. While Turpin’s touchdown came on a punt return, you can just feel that he’s going to be one of those guys who cash in on the new dynamic kickoff the NFL instated this season.
Last week, many teams were timid, oftentimes just kicking the ball into the end zone and conceding the 30-yard line, however, the Saints weren’t one of those teams. Second-year kicker Blake Grupe kicked off 10 times in the Carolina game and nine times they were returned. Only twice did the Panthers return it past the 30-yard line and when they did, they barely passed it (32 and 33-yard line). Grupe has a good feel for nailing it in the landing zone right near the goal line and don’t be surprised if Turpin follows his punt return TD up with a kickoff return TD.
What will you be watching for on Sunday?
