Mike Zimmer’s defense isn’t as advertised
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It was a great debut for the new defensive coordinator, but Week 2 looked nothing like Week 1 from his unit. Zimmer’s defense resembled former DC Dan Quinn’s when facing topo offenses from the past few seasons. Dallas couldn’t stop the run, got out schemed and weren’t able to get off the field on third downs.
Things were particularly bad in the first half where the Saints had 310 yards of offense, scored five touchdowns on their five possessions, and were 3-for-3 on third down attempts. Saints running back Alvin Kamara had 60 yards, rushing for almost seven yards a carry, and had three scores as the Saints and Derek Carr moved the ball at will against Zimmer’s defense.
It didn’t get much better in the second half as the first series for the Saints was a 13-play, 70-yard drive that resulted in a sixth consecutive touchdown possession. New Orleans totaled 432 yards and went 5-5 on third downs until it didn’t matter late in the game.
There was no pass rush, no pressure, and Micah Parsons was nowhere to be found in the loss. The Cowboys looked like a soft football team under Zimmer in his first real test against a competent offense; just like his predecessor’s defense.
Offense lacks punch
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While the defense was busy getting shredded, the offense tried to keep up but wasn’t able to score enough points. The Saints were scoring touchdowns while the Cowboys were kicking field goals; trading three points for seven is never a good thing.
Carr and the Saints were rushing for big chunks and then going down the field with the passing game. In trying to keep pace, the Cowboys could barely move the ball on the ground, and quarterback Dak Prescott couldn’t find much open downfield. Prescott did manage to get one big play when wide receiver CeeDee Lamb broke a tackle to go 65 yards for Dallas’ only touchdown, but that was the extent of the Cowboys’ explosiveness in the Week 2 loss.
With tight end Jake Ferguson out, the Cowboys couldn’t muster an intermediate passing game and the anemic rushing attack didn’t threaten the defense.
Even with Ferguson, this is a problem for an offense that tries to use misdirection and their running game to help setup the pass. The Cowboys don’t have enough weapons or enough speed to back off defenses. The Saints dared the Cowboys to beat them with someone besides Lamb and they didn’t have the skill players to do it.
Offensive line got manhandled
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It wasn’t a banner day for the new look offensive line. After a game where the group managed to keep a good defense off Prescott in Week 1, the offensive line was pushed around by the Saints up front.
Prescott was sacked three times, but was constantly under pressure. It didn’t help that New Orleans knew the Cowboys had to pass to get back into the game but even early when the contest was in doubt, the defense was around Prescott.
The unit also failed to open many rushing lanes in the running game. Dallas managed to run for only 68 yards on 21 carries, good for just 3.2 ypc. Those were empty calories in the Cowboys’ offensive diet as the rushing attack lacked punch.
Brandon Aubrey is unfazed
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Not many Cowboys showed up to play in the loss, but kicker Brandon Aubrey was one of them. The second-year All-Pro was perfect again, going 4-4 on field goals, which included a 52-yard kick.
We learned that while the rest of the team can let you down, the Cowboys can count on Aubrey to come through. It feels pointless now, but it could pay dividends down the road.
Cowboys have a glass jaw
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It’s a new year, but not much has changed for Mike McCarthy’s Cowboys. When they get challenged, they rarely know how to fight back.
The Saints came out and took it to the Cowboys, who didn’t have an answer. If the team doesn’t get out to a lead and establish themselves as the bullies, too often they get knocked out. The bullies don’t like getting bullied and the Cowboys act like the toughest guys on the block until they get hit in the face.
It was appropriate that boxer Mike Tyson was in attendance for the game. As Tyson once famously said, everyone’s got a plan until they get punched in the mouth. The Cowboys get punched too often and they continue to fail to adjust.
