Stephen Lew-Imagn Images Looking at this week’s opponent… the Saints had quite the opener themselves. NFC South power rankings: Saints set the early tone with a dominant division win – Jaleel Grandberry, WhoDatDish.com After one week, New Orleans sits atop their division. Entering each season, every team is hoping to win the Super Bowl. For that to happen, teams must make the playoffs, and the easiest way to do that is winning your respective division. Before a team can claim a league title, or be crowned a conference champion, they must navigate their four-team division. Considering the familiarity and rivals that are usually at play in division matchups, those games are usual very tough. That wasn’t the case for the New Orleans Saints on Sunday, who dominated the Carolina Panthers. The NFC South as a whole is 2-2 after one week. With two teams opening against each other, having at least one loss was likely. 1. New Orleans Saints New Orleans was the surprise of Week 1, absolutely dominating the Panthers. The Saints delivered a performance that made all the analyst who counted them out rethink their predictions. Sure, Carolina is bad, but New Orleans looked really good. Offensively, the team did whatever they wanted to, thriving on the ground and through the air. Defensively, the Saints had an answer for everything, taking the ball away three different times. Even the special teams showed out, blocking a punt and nearly returning another. All in all, New Orleans looked like a complete football team that’s ready to compete, but the Saints must now be consistent. They’ll have a big test in Week 2, traveling to take on the Dallas Cowboys. Saints coach Dennis Allen still doesn’t care about outside noise after huge Week 1 win – Luke Johnson, NOLA.com Despite the win, Dennis Allen knows there’s still work to be done. A 47-10 dismantling of the division rival Carolina Panthers could’ve been seen as a huge clap back for the New Orleans Saints — especially after the team was dismissed by many as a non-factor in the leadup to the 2024 season. The Saints, however, are trying to keep things in perspective — and keep the outside noise on mute. “I told the team this today: There’s a lot of people outside the building that didn’t think we were capable of doing much. Those same people are probably saying a lot of great things about you today that were saying a lot of negative things about you before yesterday’s game,” coach Dennis Allen said. “So we try not to pay much attention to that, we’re trying to focus on what our job is, what we need to do, and how we get better. We know we’re going to have an extremely tough challenge this Sunday going up to Dallas.” Mouton: ‘4 Takeaways’ on Saints’ blowout win over Panthers in Week 1 – Doug Mouton, WWLTV.com There’s plenty of good to take away from New Orleans’ Week 1 win. NEW ORLEANS — Tropical Storm Francine in the Gulf makes this a very serious week in South Louisiana, but Sunday in the Superdome was a party. The truth is, New Orleans’ 37-point win in the opener probably says less about how great the Saints are and more about how terrible the Panthers are. The Saints beat a similarly terrible Patriots team early last season by 34. It’s a lopsided win over a bad team, but the truth is, lopsided wins don’t come easily in the NFL. 1) Focus Grupe Last season, then-rookie Blake Grupe missed seven field goals. Only two NFL kickers missed more. In today’s NFL, 81 percent as a kicker isn’t good enough. And the Saints brought in competition for Grupe in training camp. Irish Charlie Smyth has a cannon for a leg. But Grupe did enough to beat him out, and in Week 1 he rewarded head coach Dennis Allen with the best kicking performance of his life. Grupe went 4 for 4 in field goals – two of more than 50 yards, including his career high of 57. And he was 5 of 5 in extra points – 9 for 9 is a great start to the season. A confident, successful kicker is gonna be really important for a team that wants to run the ball and play defense. 3) Overwhelming Defense Speaking of defense, the Saints ‘D’ completely overwhelmed Bryce Young and the Panthers. One week into the NFL season, the Saints are second in the league in total defense and tied for the league lead in takeaways with three. Dennis Allen’s blitz package was brilliant. Defensive back Alontae Taylor came clean three times and he did not miss. Young had a terrible rookie season, and Sunday that quarterback rating was the worst of his now 17-game NFL career. Honestly, though, this isn’t really surprising. We expected the Saints to be good on defense. And in Week 1, they absolutely were. New Orleans Saints keep eye on Francine, prepare for possible preparation adjustments for road game against Dallas – John DeShazier, NewOrleansSaints.com The Saints hope to continue their hot start despite the harmful weather on the horizon. The New Orleans Saints are all too familiar with making plans around the possibility of hurricane impact, last having done so prior to the 2021 season. Then, the franchise moved football operations to Dallas-Fort Worth to prepare for the season opener before Hurricane Ida made landfall. The Saints played their home opener in Jacksonville, Fla., against Green Bay, then road games against Carolina and New England before returning to New Orleans to play the Giants in the Caesars Superdome in Week 4, on Oct. 3, 2021. Sunday’s game is on the road against the Cowboys, at AT&T Stadium in Arlington. “Like everybody else in the city, we’re monitoring it,” Coach Dennis Allen said. “We’ll make plans accordingly. We’re going to meet (Monday) afternoon and see what kind of plans we need to make, and then we’ll go from there. I
‘What a kick’: Inside the sequence that scrapped 71-yard FG try by Cowboys’ Brandon Aubrey
‘What a kick’: Inside the sequence that scrapped 71-yard FG try by Cowboys’ Brandon Aubrey Todd Brock Officially speaking, Cowboys kicker Brandon Aubrey connected on 4-of-4 field goal attempts in Cleveland- every single one from 40 yards or more- during the team’s 33-17 opening-day win over the Browns. Everyone knows he actually hit an NFL-record-tying fifth, too… except it didn’t count. But the kick the whole world will be talking about for a while is the one he didn’t get to even try. Special teams coordinator John Fassel went through all of it with reporters during a Monday press conference, admitting with a laugh that “the blood has boiled down a little bit” after a confusing series of events that saw Aubrey, the second-year phenom and former soccer star, drilling a 66-yard field goal… and then, for a brief but thrilling moment, prepping to try it again from an impossible-sounding 71 yards. Aubrey had already hit from 57 and 40, but his third attempt of the day came from 66 yards out, which would have tied the current NFL mark and matched a boot Aubrey made just last month during the Cowboys’ preseason game in Las Vegas. Dallas was already up 20-3 in the waning seconds of Sunday’s first half, but it took just the right sequence of events to put the offense in position for the attempt. “Coach asked me where we’ve got to get to to get in field goal range,” Fassel explained, “and I said, ‘Just across the 50.’” So when Jalen Tolbert was forced out of bounds at the Cleveland 48 with nine seconds remaining, the field goal unit hustled onto the field. But that’s when things went wonky. “What it looked like, to me, was two issues happened,” according to Fassel. “It looked like they got the quarterback ball off the field late, and they got the K-ball in late. Then once they got the K-ball set, one of the officials- when he saw a defensive substitution- stood over Trent [Sieg, Cowboys long snapper] and said, ‘Hold, hold.’ So Trent wasn’t able to address the ball to get ready to snap it. … So by the time we got over the ball and snapped it, we were one second late.” Aubrey’s ball sailed through the uprights, but the flag negated the kick. Loud complaints about the clock from Fassel and head coach Mike McCarthy fell on deaf ears (although the Cowboys could also have used one of their two remaining timeouts, even if they shouldn’t have needed to), and the line of scrimmage was moved back five yards. That first kick looked like it would have been good from 71. And for a tantalizing moment, it appeared as though the Cowboys were going to try it. McCarthy had already taken off his headset, he said, apparently content to turn Aubrey loose. “We actually considered it,” Fassel confessed. “If it was going the other way, we might have kicked it because there’s a little bit of wind at our back going the other way.” A quick check-in with Cowboys punter and holder Bryan Anger told Fassel it was going to be very close. Anger confirmed the 66-yarder was hit “about as clean as [Aubrey] can hit it” but then added, “I’m not sure it made it by more than five [yards].” The Browns already had a return man waiting under the goalpost in case the try came up short. And that got Fassel flashing back to a late September afternoon in 2008. Fassel was a first-year assistant special teams coach for the Raiders that season and saw head coach Lane Kiffin send out noted long-range specialist Sebastian Janikowski for an absurd 76-yard attempt at the end of the second quarter of a game against the Chargers. “I’ll never forget. Antonio Cromartie’s back there, and I’m like, ‘Oh, damn,’” Fassel remembered. “He catches the ball on the goal line, and we’re covering a kickoff with 10 offensive linemen against Antonio Cromartie.” Luckily, the return didn’t even reach the 30, but the Chargers were closer to a big return than Janikowski’s cannon shot had been to being successful. “That was, I think, the day before Lane Kiffin got fired,” Fassel noted. A similar play had once burned McCarthy even worse. As the 49ers’ offensive coordinator in 2005, McCarthy watched Bears return ace Nathan Vasher return a field goal attempt 108 yards for an end-of-half score. Fassel told reporters the risk of letting Cleveland back into the game with a dramatic touchdown going into intermission- and with the Browns set to receive the second-half kick- was simply too great. “Immediately, both of our memory banks went, ‘Ah, let’s go ahead and take the kicker off the field and put the ball back in the quarterback’s hands.” Aubrey was pulled, not even aware that he had been thisclose to being given a shot at the NFL record. “In the moment, I didn’t know it was from 71,” Aubrey said from his locker after the game. “I thought it was still 66, because I thought they called a timeout, not delay of game. So it’s hard to say how I would have reacted out there, but it’s probably the right call on the day in the conditions.” [affiliatewidget_smgtolocal] Winds in Cleveland on Sunday were near 15 miles per hour, with the stiffest breezes blowing into the northeast end of Huntington Bank Field, the side open to Lake Erie. That had definitely factored into Aubrey’s approaches on the day. “On the one end zone, the end zone where I got the 57 and the 66, there was kind of a big wind that picked up around the 20-yard-line going right to left and a little bit into the field. So it was tough,” he said. “In the warmup, the ball was moving a lot more than it normally does.” While the 29-year-old said he would “absolutely” like to try from 70 or beyond in a game someday, he conceded that Sunday
Julian Edelman believes Dak Prescott’s consistency is among his greatest qualities
Photo by Timothy Bouwer/ISI Photos/Getty Images Julian Edelman spoke very highly of Dak Prescott and how consistent the Dallas Cowboys quarterback is. When it comes to being a player on the Dallas Cowboys it is hardly an easy thing to navigate. The stage that playing for America’s Team provides is both a blessing and a curse in that the platform is massive, but that means so is the spotlight of criticism. There is perhaps no one who knows this better than quarterback Dak Prescott, and as an example consider the constant debate encircling what ultimately became his record-setting contract extension. While playing for the Cowboys is unique, there are other circumstances and situations that are similar in their own way. Consider what it must have been like playing for the New England Patriots throughout the dynastic run that they had with Tom Brady and all the rest. This thought has always been on my mind so I decided to put it to the test when I got a chance to speak with Julian Edelman on Monday thanks to our friends at Jameson. You can watch our conversation right below. Edelman referenced the spotlight that Dak has and how he very rarely says or does anything improper while in it when discussing how he views him. Edelman added that Dak’s consistency (in terms of individual success and the team winning so much in the regular season) is among his greatest qualities and that it is overlooked by people on a national level. Interestingly he added that Super Bowls don’t reflect everything when it comes to this discussion as there are many quarterbacks who have the misfortune of playing in certain eras. Consider all the people that lost to Tom Brady or that are currently losing to Patrick Mahomes. Prescott and the Cowboys have yet to reach the Super Bowl, but the point at large stands and is an interesting one. Here is more information on Julian’s partnership with Jameson. Pro American football continues to expand abroad, yet Dublin still hasn’t been officially added to the line-up. A college game was even played in Dublin a few weeks ago, and fans went crazy for it – but Jameson wants more! So, the iconic whiskey brand is teaming up with football great Julian Edelman to bring back Jameson Touchdown in Dublin: an unofficial call for a regular season pro American football game to be played in Dublin, Ireland. If a regular season pro American football game in Dublin is announced by April 1, 2025, Jameson is going to celebrate the momentous occasion. They’ll reward one lucky fan (over 21) and five friends the chance to win the Ultimate Dublin Experience – complete with flights to Dublin, 3-nights of hotel accommodations, a tour of the Jameson Distillery and a $3,000 gift card to be used towards tickets to the game. Learn more here: https://www.jamesonwhiskey.com/en-us/tdindublin-sweeps/ Our thanks to Julian and Jameson for the time!
Cowboys roundtable: Discussions on Dak Prescott’s contract, win over the Browns
Ken Blaze-Imagn Images Every week, we gather the latest news about the Dallas Cowboys and seek our writer’s perspective on each headline. Welcome back to the Roundtable. This week we have David Howman, RJ Ochoa, Sean Martin, Brian Martin and Tom Ryle. Before the game commenced on Sunday, Jerry Jones finally put an end to the Dak Prescott contract dispute and finalized the deal. What are your thoughts on the record-setting deal, and of the timing on the deal? Moments before kickoff last Sunday in Cleveland the big news that surrounded Dallas all offseason finally came to a head. Yes, Jerry Jones and Dak Prescott finally put a stop to the speculation and made came to an agreement on a four-year deal. The deal came in as a $240 million extension, making this the most lucrative deal in NFL history. It came with a $80 million signing bonus and a 2024 base salary of $1.25 million. Again, there is a no trade and no franchise tag clause in the deal. Dak is now set to remain a Cowboy until March of 2029, by which time he’ll be 36 years of age, so in theory he could scrape one final deal before retirement. As it stands, Dak is the first player to average $60 million per year under his new contract, he also received the largest signing bonus in league history. Tom: This was almost entirely predictable, at least in retrospect. Prescott was the next QB up, and he got a record-setting deal, which is just the cost of doing business. It went down to the last possible moment, getting signed almost as Dak was going out for warmups. We all know how “deadlines make deals” in Dallas. This was more extreme than usual, but still entirely consistent with the way the Jones family does business. They make a lot of salary cap noise in the media before finding a way to come up with the space. Now that one is off the table, and we can leave contract talk alone for a while. And the first one who mentions a certain pass rusher who is next up gets a wedgie. Brian: While I was a little intrigued to see what Dallas’ QB situation would look like post-Dak, locking him up with a contract extension was definitely the right move by Jerry Jones and Company. I was a little surprised he received record-setting deal, but that just goes to show you what the Cowboys think of him and how hard his reps worked to get the deal done. As for the timing of the deal, better late than never and it seemed to give the entire team a little boost of energy against the Cleveland Browns in the season opener. RJ: It feels like we have all said everything that we need to say on this front. I am of the mindset that Dak is one of the better quarterbacks in the NFL. If you want to pay a guy like that, there are certain things that are non-negotiable. It took the Cowboys, as it always does, a lot longer than necessary to come to terms with that. Thankfully they ultimately did. Sean: With this deal coming down so close to when Dak Prescott actually took the field and earned his first win of the season, it’s nice to be able to answer what was clearly the longest drawn out topic of the offseason with something related to the game. There just aren’t a ton of QBs that can recognize the blitz like Prescott did on his touchdown throw to Brandin Cooks, stand in, and deliver the throw. The Cowboys never looked back from that point and looked every bit the team that can compete for a high seed in the NFC again with Prescott as the focal point. Howman: It’s about time. After all that, all the posturing and delays and talk of pie, the Cowboys gave Dak Prescott exactly what he wanted all along: a record-setting deal with a ton of guaranteed money. On one hand, I’m glad they actually got it done, as I had resigned myself to the notion that it wouldn’t happen. On the other hand, it’s ridiculous that it took this long and would be considered malpractice by any other team that isn’t run by the owner and his son. My hope would be that they learn from this and are proactive with Micah Parsons, but I may be holding my breath until I’m blue in the face. The Cowboys put on a clinic in Ohio and stomped the Cleveland Browns into a 33-17 victory on the road. What are two big positive takeaways from the game that you saw? The season opening game couldn’t have gone any better for Dallas. The defensive display the Cowboys put on was so dominant that Cleveland fans could be heard booing from the stands for most of the second half. Dak came out to lead the offense and hit Brandin Cooks with a beautiful pass to take an early lead. Then Ezekiel Elliott reopened his Cowboys account scoring the next touchdown. The best play of the day came from KaVontae Turpin on a punt return. He had come close last year a few times to breaking a score and n special teams, this year he didn’t have to wait long. But the Cowboys defense stole the show completely demoralizing the Cleveland offense and put Deshaun Watson to shame, who could barely initiate drives. Tom: I’m glad I got to jump in first on this, because I get the low-hanging fruit. First is that Mike Zimmer has the defense roaring. While the Browns got some points in the second half, the Cowboys completely shut them down in the first, only allowing 56 yards and one first down before intermission. Micah Parsons was a force, but DeMarcus Lawrence was step for step with him while Eric Kendricks and DeMarvion Overshown were making tackles everywhere, and Kendricks and Trevon Diggs
Winner, Losers from Cowboys impressive victory over Cleveland
Winner, Losers from Cowboys impressive victory over Cleveland angeltorres Alas, the demise of the Cowboys may have been a bit oversold as evidenced by their impressive 33-17 win over the Browns in Cleveland. The entire defensive unit were winners, even though the final score had some window dressing attached. Dallas gave up fewer yards than a Browns defense elevated to elite levels last season. Just imagine when All-Pro cornerback DaRon Bland returns for Dallas. While the victory is sweet, teams and players can always be better. A deep roster chock full of impact players still has a glaring need. An injury scare for a top offensive target had all of Cowboys Nation holding their breath. Special teams cannot be overstated and the unit in Dallas has plenty of dangerous weapons. Many more winners than losers as victory has a way of curing all. Winner: Eric Kendricks CLEVELAND, OHIO – SEPTEMBER 08: Eric Kendricks #50 of the Dallas Cowboys celebrates after a tackle for loss in the first quarter of the game against the Cleveland Browns at Cleveland Browns Stadium on September 08, 2024 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Nick Cammett/Getty Images) The offseason talk had dissolved into, “They only signed Eric Kendricks in free agency.” That crowd may owe the veteran linebacker an apology after he collected two sacks, two QB hits, and one tackle for loss (TFL) in his Cowboys debut. His nine tackles were good for second-most on the day. He also intercepted Browns quarterback DeShaun Watson, thanks to a Micah Parsons pass deflection. Not bad for a linebacker taken from right under the nose of a conference rival during free agency. His addition to the team could have been seen as a bridge guy for the younger players but Kendricks showed he still has plenty left to give. Loser: Jake Ferguson Sep 8, 2024; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Dallas Cowboys tight end Jake Ferguson (87) falls over Cleveland Browns linebacker Jordan Hicks (58) as he is tackled around his ankle during the third quarter at Huntington Bank Field. Mandatory Credit: Scott Galvin-Imagn Images Cowboys tight end Jake Ferguson had a modest day statistically, catching three passes for 15 yards. His last reception of the day turned into immediate concerns over his knee. Head coach Mike McCarthy takes extra precautions when it comes to the health of the rest of his players but the play Ferguson injured himself can happen at any time. It appears the Cowboys got lucky and Ferguson isn’t going to be out for the season; he’s actually angling to play this coming weekend against the New Orleans Saints although that seems a bit optimistic. Either way, watching him struggle to walk off the field put a damper on an otherwise good day for Dallas. Winner: DeMarvion Overshown Sep 8, 2024; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Dallas Cowboys linebacker DeMarvion Overshown (13) tackles Cleveland Browns running back Jerome Ford (34) during the third quarter at Huntington Bank Field. Mandatory Credit: Scott Galvin-Imagn Images Linebacker DeMarvion Overshown was touted as having game-changing ability that could alter the narrative of a disappointing 2023 draft class. After losing his rookie season to a serious knee injury, viewers got to see how suddenly he flashes across the screen. The way he closed on Browns quarterback DeShaun Watson for his first NFL sack looked like someone shot him out of a cannon. That rare closing burst was something only star pass rusher Micah Parsons had shown but Dallas now has two of those guys. Overshown finished with a team-high 11 tackles, a sack, and two quarterback hits in his first NFL regular-season game. Loser: The Cowboys run game OXNARD, CALIFORNIA – AUGUST 8: Defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer of the Dallas Cowboys paces the sideline during a joint practice with Los Angeles Rams at Cowboys training camp on August 8, 2024 in Oxnard, California. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images) Going up against what was the best defense in the league last season has a lot to do with the struggles of the Cowboys run game, but it was still disappointing nonetheless. Running back Ezekiel Elliott led the charge rushing 10 times for 40 yards and a score. As a whole, the team rushed for 102 total yards, 25 of those coming from three CeeDee Lamb rushes. Lamb is the Cowboys primary passing target. Head coach Mike McCarthy said the team will commit to their run game yet questions remain. The 57/43 percent split in favor of the passing game is a fairly well-balanced offense. Winner: Brandon Aubrey Sep 8, 2024; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Dallas Cowboys place kicker Brandon Aubrey (17) kicks a field goal as punter Bryan Anger (5) holds the ball against the Cleveland Browns during the fourth quarter at Huntington Bank Field. Mandatory Credit: Scott Galvin-Imagn Images Cowboys kicker Brandon Aubrey may be one of the most dangerous weapons throughout the entire NFL. Casually hitting what would have been a record-tying 66-yard field goal before being erased by a delay of game penalty is the type of range that could alter defensive strategies late in close games. This sounds ridiculous but the Dallas offense reaching midfield is now considered field goal range for them. The final stat line for Aubrey is just a ho-hum day of going four for four with makes from 57, 40, 50, and 46 yards, respectively. Like many others, there may have been thoughts about allowing him to attempt that 71-yard kick to end the half. Kudos to the other special teamers as well. Return specialist Kavonte Turpin returned a punt 60 yards for his first career touchdown on a return. Punter Bryan Anger averaged 49 yards an attempt on his five punts. Winner: DeMarcus Lawrence Sep 8, 2024; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Dallas Cowboys defensive end DeMarcus Lawrence (90) lies on Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson (4) after a sack during the first quarter at Huntington Bank Field. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-Imagn Images There were too many winners to name but defensive end DeMarcus Lawrence needed a
Cowboys Reacts Survey: Dak Prescott gets his big contract extension
Ken Blaze-Imagn Images The vibes are great for the Cowboys right now. It was a very nice start to the 2024 season for the Dallas Cowboys. On Sunday, they got a thorough win over the Cleveland Browns, 33-17. They also got a contract extension done with Dak Prescott before the game, a record-setting deal to the tune of four years and $240 million, with $231 million guaranteed. Last week we asked about the direction of the franchise prior to the Browns game and prior to Prescott’s new deal, and the results were not good. At the time, only 41% of fans felt the team was headed in the right direction. With the big win, and Prescott’s new deal in hand, we ask the same question this week. But we also want to know if you think it was the right move for the Cowboys to give Prescott the new deal. We know Prescott can polarize the fanbase, so let’s see how people are feeling. Vote in the poll then hit the comments and let us know. Welcome to SB Nation Reacts, a survey of fans across the NFL. Throughout the year we ask questions of the most plugged-in Dallas Cowboys fans and fans across the country. Sign up here to participate in the weekly emailed surveys. Please take our survey
After further review: Cowboys defense dominates in all areas, special teams huge, and offense coasts
Jeff Lange / USA TODAY NETWORK Everything went really well last week. The Dallas Cowboys started their new season with a nice road win over the Cleveland Browns on Sunday. The offense didn’t do much, but they didn’t have to, so we’ll have to wait another week to give them a proper evaluation. We’ll touch on the rookie left tackle, but most of our attention will be directed where the heaving lifting was done, and that’s on defense. In our first installment of the new season, what things stood out After Further Review? NEW DEFENSIVE LEADER We didn’t get to see the veteran free agent Eric Kendricks in preseason, but he wasted no time reminding us what type of player he is. In his Cowboys debut, Kendricks recorded nine tackles, two sacks, and an interception. He was outstanding against the run, excellent in coverage, and a contributor as a pass rusher. Everything we hoped for from this veteran linebacker joining forces with his old coach was on full display on Sunday. Only once in his career has he missed more than two games and he’s had nine straight seasons with at least 100 tackles. He’s always on the field and he’s always doing great things. The ageless one is showing no signs of slowing down. I know it’s only one game, but the Cowboys might’ve hit a home run with the Eric Kendricks signing. The guy was all over the place and looked like that All-Pro back in his Minnesota days. pic.twitter.com/LFCVv4n5QX — Dan Rogers (@DannyPhantom24) September 9, 2024 DEFENSIVE RISING STAR Having a veteran linebacker in the clubhouse is great, especially if you have a bunch of young linebackers as well. And the Cowboys do. One of those guys is second-year player DeMarvion Overshown who was deprived of a rookie season after a season-ending injury in the preseason last year. Well, that’s behind him now and he is ready to go. On Sunday, Overshown was fantastic. He saw the field well, showed sharp instincts, and attacked. Whether it was the running back coming out of the flat or trailing the tight end, Overshown fired at them like a missile and stopped them in their tracks. Not only do the Cowboys have a veteran leader at linebacker, but they also have a lightning-fast youngster in DeMarvion Overshown. Fantastic debut. A position of weakness a year ago might have become a strength with this new dynamic duo. pic.twitter.com/HxntMXaQid — Dan Rogers (@DannyPhantom24) September 9, 2024 OLD DEFENSIVE LEADER Not all the defensive stars in Sunday’s game were new guys. While some things change, other things stay the same. Veteran defensive end DeMarcus Lawrence was up to his usual tricks, chasing running backs across the field, applying pressure in the quarterback’s face, and collapsing on any unsuspecting prey that enters his habitat. In typical fashion, Tank was a tank. Some people will never truly appreciate the level of disruption DeMarcus Lawrence brings every week. The dude was absolutely feasting on Sunday afternoon. pic.twitter.com/RYYa5ncd7o — Dan Rogers (@DannyPhantom24) September 9, 2024 ZIMMER’S COVERAGE While the guys at the line of scrimmage get to make all the splash plays, you have to credit the sensational job the secondary did sticking the coverage. There were very few windows of opportunity to make a play in the passing game. Mike Zimmer had Deshaun Watson all out of sorts, dancing around in the pocket hopelessly, and often ending unfavorably for him. There was a lot of apprehension about sending rookie Caelen Carson on the outside so early as he fills in for the injured DaRon Bland. There were also concerns about how Trevon Diggs would look in his first game back after his season-ending injury last year. But considering how dominating the Cowboys’ secondary was against the Browns, we have to feel better now. Watson finished the game 24/45 passing for just 169 yards and one touchdown. He was sacked six times, threw two interceptions, and finished with a 51.1 passer rating. A lot is made about how Mike Zimmer disguises coverages and makes it hard on the quarterback. I can’t remember the last time I saw a QB struggle to find open receivers and how often the broadcast booth commended the Cowboys’ coverage. The secondary was outstanding on Sunday. pic.twitter.com/TZhJdx47l3 — Dan Rogers (@DannyPhantom24) September 9, 2024 And when you can’t find open receivers and hang on to the ball too long, there are usually consequences. The Cowboys made Watson pay. The Cowboys’ defense was a collective unit of destruction on Sunday. Deshaun Watson was running for his life and things could have been much worse. pic.twitter.com/RoWCVwWArN — Dan Rogers (@DannyPhantom24) September 9, 2024 When you have to face the Cowboys’ defense in the season opener… pic.twitter.com/UcJJSsTidl — Dan Rogers (@DannyPhantom24) September 9, 2024 GUYTON’S DEBUT How did the rookie fare against the great Myles Garrett? Not bad. When you look at how the Cowboys approached the game, they did some things to help mask the matchup. They ran several plays rolling to Dak Prescott’s right. There were bootlegs and quick throws so he wouldn’t have to hold his ground too long. They also provided help with chipping from the backs and tight ends. It was a good plan. When Guyton went toe-to-toe with Garrett, he did alright. There were a couple of reps where Garrett beat him around the edge real fast where Guyton never stood a chance, but there were other times when the rookie got his body squared up and used his length to keep defenders from getting into his chest. He still needs to work on his balance as he’ll lunge when he feels that a defender is getting around him, but overall it was a nice debut for a young player who drew a tough first assignment. First real NFL action, a tough opponent, all things considered, rookie left tackle Tyler Guyton did a fine job on Sunday. When he was able to use his length and square up, nothing
How to buy your team’s 2024 NFL Crucial Catch gear
How to buy your team’s 2024 NFL Crucial Catch gear Nick Wojton The 2024 line of the NFL’s Crucial Catch Collection has arrived. The initiative released by the league once again features both apparel and headgear. All 32 teams are featured for a good cause. The NFL does not profit from the sale of Crucial Catch gear. Charitable contributions are awarded by the NFL Foundation to the American Cancer Society. Such a topic is not only felt by those on the field. Many NFL fans have felt the impact of cancer at some point in their lives and the football family can do their part all while supporting their team. The 2024 collection is available at Fanatics and includes shirts, hats and hoodies for each team. 2024 NFL Crucial Catch t-shirt Shop NFL Crucial Catch shirts 2024 NFL Crucial Catch hat And if a hat is more your preference, your team is covered there as well: Shop NFL Crucial Catch hats 2024 NFL Crucial Catch hoodie Finally, each team also has a Crucial Catch hoodie: Shop Crucial Catch hoodies Both shirts and hoodies are available in sizes S to 4XL. T-shirts cost $39.99, while hoodies list at $94.99. Shirt sizes come in both adult and kids. Hats, which come in a variety of styles, list at $45.99. Winter knit caps list at $34.99. Grab your team’s 2024 Crucial Catch gear now. For more information please visit www.NFL.com/CrucialCatch. Shop NFL Crucial Catch gear We occasionally recommend interesting products and services. If you make a purchase by clicking one of the links, we may earn an affiliate fee. FTW operates independently, though, and this doesn’t influence our coverage.
Cowboys linebacker room looks much improved this season after week one win
Photo by Nick Cammett/Getty Images The Cowboys got some elite play from their linebackers in the season opener. The Dallas Cowboys defense looked dominant against the Cleveland Browns on Sunday, winning 33-17 on the road. While the whole unit looked great under new defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer, what impressed many fans the most was the linebacker group. A big question mark heading into the offseason for the Cowboys was their depth at linebacker, as the unit was embarrassed by the Green Bay Packers in the wild card round of the playoffs last season. The team addressed the need by signing veteran linebacker Eric Kendricks in free agency, reuniting him with Zimmer who was his former coach with the Minnesota Vikings. Kendricks dominated for the Cowboys against the Browns, registering nine total tackles, six solo tackles, two sacks, two quarterback hits, and one interception. When the team lost LB Leighton Vander Esch to injury last season, it not only impacted the defense from a physical sense, but also a leadership one. Vander Esch was the leader of the defense and kept everyone where they were supposed to be on the field. Kendricks seems to fulfill this role nicely, as his veteran presence against the Browns elevated the play of everyone around him. When it comes to the linebacker position EYES are extremely important and once you SEE IT .. YOU REACT .. Eric Kendricks put those traits on display yesterday pic.twitter.com/kqBeRkgkuz — J Tuck (@jtuck151) September 9, 2024 As the team benefited from the veteran leadership of Kendricks on Sunday, they also got a big contribution from LB DeMarvion Overshown in his regular-season debut. The team was high on Overshown when they selected him in the third-round of the 2023 NFL Draft, and he looked great in training camp before suffering a season-ending torn ACL in the preseason. After missing his entire rookie season, Overshown looked ready for the moment against the Browns, securing a team-high 11 tackles, five solo tackles, two quarterback hits, and one sack. He had an impressive fourth-down sack on Deshaun Watson in the third quarter, displaying incredible closing speed. #Cowboys’ LB DeMarvion Overshown covered over 14 yards in only 2.8 seconds. That’s a closing speed of 5 yards/sec https://t.co/UFKB2eX8pa pic.twitter.com/SMbc7cMW0R — Reel Analytics (@RAanalytics) September 8, 2024 It’s a relief for Cowboys fans to see great play from their linebacker unit, as it seemed to be their Achilles heel last season. If they can continue getting this type of production from the group, this could possibly be one of the best defenses in the NFL. The linebacker group looks much better this season for the #DallasCowboys pic.twitter.com/fDdW5CCxsP — Chris Halling (@ChrisHalling_) September 9, 2024
Cowboys news: Early returns at linebacker, cornerback could not be better under Mike Zimmer
Scott Galvin-Imagn Images All the latest news off the first Victory Monday of the season! ‘This ain’t nothing yet’: Cowboys rookie CB promises bumpy ride for opposing QBs after Week 1 lockdown – Todd Brock, The Cowboys Wire There is no shortage of confidence with rookie Caelen Carson being a surprise starter for the Cowboys without DaRon Bland. In his NFL debut, rookie cornerback Caelen Carson lived up to the nickname given to him at Wake Forest and was instrumental in restraining the Browns’ air attack in the Cowboys’ 33-17 opening day win. The dominant Dallas defense limited Cleveland’s Deshaun Watson to a meager 3.75 yards per attempt and a 51.1 passer rating on the day, looking nothing like a fifth-round DB making his first pro appearance. “Honestly, I didn’t know how the first game was going to go,” Carson said after the win, “but I knew one thing: I wasn’t going to come in here scared.” The 22-year-old more than held his own despite being matched up against five-time Pro Bowler Amari Cooper, with Carson holding the former Cowboy to just 16 yards and breaking up as many passes- two- as he let Cooper catch. And he nearly came away with two interceptions. “I didn’t capitalize on my opportunities today,” the rookie confessed. “I think I played okay, but I’ve got to capitalize on the opportunities. That’s the biggest thing with a Cowboys defense- turnovers.” Dallas Cowboys have another defensive star in LB DeMarvion Overshown – Jesse Reed, Sporting News It was a long time in the making, but DeMarvion Overshown’s much anticipated debut with the team couldn’t have gone better. Overshown had 11 tackles, six stops, one sack, and two quarterback pressures. His sack of Deshaun Watson showed off elite closing speed, which caught the quarterback completely off guard. The speed he showed there was jaw-dropping, and it had people in the NLF community rightfully jumping out of their chairs. After the game, Overshown commented on his spectacular play. “As soon as he [Watson] broke the pocket, he was mine,” said Overshown, per Cowboys reporter Patrik Walker. “He thought he was gonna be able to get a throw off when he saw me but it was too late. I had him.” That’s an understatement. Speed wasn’t the only attribute he was working with on Sunday. Now check out the pure strength shown by Overshown here on this run play. McCarthy pleased with Cowboys’ win over Browns, but not content: ‘We’ve got work to do’ – Patrik Walker, DallasCowboys.com The Cowboys are 1-0 for the second straight season under McCarthy. “I think September football is what the league experiences.” he said. “You don’t have the time that you used to have as far as fundamentals, and things like that, but everybody’s on the same schedule so it’s not as if one team has an advantage over the other. It’s just something to be aware of and coach against.” That September football, as he labels it, usually involves a bit of rust and that usually leads to mistakes, though most of the errors made by the Cowboys were in the realm of penalties and not actually giving up big plays on a regular basis. But having finished the contest with 11 penalties accepted, costing them a total of 85 yards of field position, it’s something McCarthy has already begun stressing as the Cowboys turn the page to the New Orleans Saints in the home opener for Week 2. “You want to play cleaner football,” he said. “We had way too many penalties. Who the hell wants to be part of a game that has 20 penalties? So we’ll spend time on that. We’ll make sure we’re clear with our players on what’s being emphasized. Report: Dallas Cowboys TE Jake Ferguson has sprained MCL, will miss ‘some time’ – RJ Ochoa, Blogging the Boys The Cowboys may be without a big weapon in their passing game for a few weeks, but avoided a season-ending knee injury in Week 1 with Jake Ferguson. Monday morning brought official confirmation that Ferguson did not suffer a season-ending injury which is great news; however, he did sprain his MCL according to NFL Network and will miss some time. In terms of recovery time, recent history suggests it could be anywhere from three to six weeks depending on severity. It is worth mentioning that the Cowboys have their bye in Week 7 so perhaps they want to ride things out through then to give Ferguson extra time to rest and heal. In the meantime, the Cowboys will have to depend on second-year, second-round draft pick Luke Schoonmaker to man the tight end position. John Stephens Jr. and Brevyn Spann-Ford will also be important options in the offense. Update: 11:30am ET For what it’s worth Adam Schefter mentioned Ferguson is considered week to week. Dak Prescott got paid, now he needs to deliver – Richard Paolinelli, Inside The Star So far, so good for the new highest paid player in NFL history. A Regular Season Titan There is no arguing with Prescott’s regular season numbers. The Cowboys have finished 12-5 the last five seasons. Over his previous eight years, he is 73-41 as a starter. If he plays out this extension as the starter in Dallas, he’ll likely finish with all of the franchise’s passing records. He’s already just under 400 yards shy of eclipsing 30,000 passing yards. He has 203 touchdowns against just 74 interceptions. In the regular season. And there’s the rub. The Long Road Ahead If Prescott thought the pressure to win a Super Bowl for the Cowboys was intense the previous eight years, he hasn’t seen anything yet. Now that he is the top-paid player, nothing less than a Lombardi Trophy in his hands in New Orleans in February is acceptable. That comes with all of those new Benjamins in his wallet. He can’t get to the Divisional round and promptly throw two first-half interceptions. He’s done just that the last two
