The defense (never) rests, Your Honor. Hopefully. Is this the Cowboys new mantra? Mike Crum The Dallas Cowboys are looking to stack good games on top of each other, as former head coach Jason Garrett liked to pronounce. As they prepare to take on the New Orleans Saints in Week 2 of the young 2024 season, they will likely look to their defense to come through for the second-straight contest in hopes that a trend is developing. Last season, Dallas wasn’t competitive in contests where quarterback Dak Prescott didn’t play a great game. They lost to the Arizona Cardinals, San Francisco 49ers, Miami Dolphins, Buffalo Bills, and Philadelphia. In every one of those games, the Cowboys quarterback played poorly, and the defense couldn’t step up to make the game competitive. The team went as the offense went in 2023, but in the first game of 2024, Prescott had average numbers for his standards, and the team dominated behind an excellent performance from the defense. The Cowboys had the fifth-best performance according to Pro Football Focus grades and third-best according to DVOA numbers. Micah Parsons (9) and Demarcus Lawrence (8) led the entire NFL in QB pressures in Week 1. Lawrence and Eric Kendricks tied for the team lead in sacks with two. Kendricks and Trevon Diggs each intercepted passes, and DeMarvion Overshown was all over the field, leading the team in tackles with the third-highest PFF grade amongst linebackers with an 88.6. If Dallas continues this level of performance, the team could flip to a defensive-leaning team from now on, taking a significant amount of pressure off the QB. If the team can hang on whenever Prescott has slow starts, they will be much better off when the playoffs begin. You can find Mike Crum on Twitter @cdpiglet or YouTube on the Across the Cowboys Podcast Read all the best Cowboys coverage at the Austin American-Statesman and Cowboys Wire.

Mike Zimmer to get first Cowboys test against dreaded Shanahan offense Week 2 reidhanson The Shanahan offense. For years it’s been a thorn in the Cowboys’ side. Popularized in San Francisco, coach Kyle Shanahan has created a schematic juggernaut that’s elevated numerous offenses across the league to be far greater than the sum of their parts. Its branches extend from coast to coast and its many spinoffs have traditionally given the Cowboys absolute fits. In Week 2 the Cowboys welcome New Orleans to take on the latest Shanahan spinoff, Klint Kubiak’s Saints. This will mark the first big test of the Mike Zimmer era and will go a long way into making fans and media believe this year might be different in Dallas. Zimmer’s predecessor, Dan Quinn, enjoyed enormous success during his three years with the Cowboys. But despite building a one of the best defenses in the NFL, Quinn couldn’t get over the Shanahan hump. Quinn’s unit was often exposed going up against a Shanahan offense. All three postseasons under Quinn, two of which were at home, abruptly ended at the hands of a Shanahan offense. As John Owning of PFF pointed out over the winter, in the Quinn era the Cowboys gave up an EPA of 0.045 against Shanahan offenses compared to -0.094 EPA against non-Shanahan offenses. That’s a +0.139 swing which, to put it bluntly, is nothing short of radical. Kubiak’s ties to the Shanahan offense extend beyond his one-year stint in San Francisco last season but go to his roots as the son of Gary Kubiak. Gary Kubiak worked for years under Mike Shanahan, Kyle Shanahan’s father, and as many recall this is where the original conception of the Shanahan offense began. The wide zone scheme held a legendary status even before Kyle Shanahan evolved it into what it is today. Therefore, it’s safe to say the younger Kubiak has a pretty firm grasp on this Cowboys killing scheme even if he only had one year of tutelage in San Francisco. In the Saints Week 1 win over Carolina, Kubiak hit the ground running, putting up 47 points on the hapless Panthers. They were among league leaders in play-action, condensed formations and motion which are all staples of a Shanahan offense. Historically, this scheme has caused fits for the Dallas defense. In the past Cowboys’ defenders have been lacking gap discipline, often allowing big gains on the ground. They’ve also been eager to bite on play fakes allowing exaggerated separation on routes downfield. The 2024 Cowboys defense returns many of the same players guilty of these lapses in discipline, but the hope is under the leadership of Zimmer, the issues get corrected. It’s not just that Zimmer is a renowned disciplinarian as a coach, it’s that Zimmer’s defenses historically do very well against Shanahan offenses. Pass coverage specifically has made Zimmer a standout coordinator against these types of offenses. Since the run typically exists to set up the more fruitful gains downfield through the air, both elements need to work harmoniously to stop an offense such as Kubiak’s. It’s what made Zimmer the most optimal defensive coach to replace Quinn this past winter. He’s a decisive upgrade against the offenses that have been proven Cowboys killers. Week 2 is Zimmer’s first test in proving 2024 will be different. Related articles [affiliatewidget_smgtlocal] Read all the best Cowboys coverage at the Austin American-Statesman and Cowboys Wire.

How to buy Dallas Cowboys vs. New Orleans Saints NFL Week 2 tickets Nick Wojton The Dallas Cowboys will finally host their first game of the 2024 NFL season at AT&T Stadium in Week 2 against the New Orleans Saints. Regardless of any result prior to your first game at home, teams in the NFL want to make their backyard a fortress. This is the Cowboys’ first opportunity to establish that. After both the Saints and the Cowboys thrashed their Week-1 opponents, this Week-2 game has a bit more intrigue than originally anticipated, and only limited tickets remain. SHOP: New Orleans Saints vs. Dallas Cowboys tickets The matchup with the Saints is the Cowboys’ first home affair in what is building up to be a pivotal season. Can quarterback Dak Prescott and head coach Mike McCarthy convince owner Jerry Jones they can lead the Cowboys to the promised land? The Cowboys’ best chance to do that is by building a strong home-field advantage. Can Dallas do that against New Orleans in a battle of early-season undefeateds? Tickets for this contest start as low as $73. Shop Saints vs. Cowboys Week 2 tickets We occasionally recommend interesting products and services. If you make a purchase by clicking one of the links, we may earn an affiliate fee. Cowboys Wire operates independently, though, and this doesn’t influence our coverage.

NFL Week 2 Injury Report: Cowboys TE room depleted, key Saints defenders questionable K.D. Drummond Jake Ferguson may have escaped major injury, but his MCL sprain has had him out of practice all week. On the opposite side of the field, there are several questionable Saints defenders dealing with various nicks. Here’s a full rundown of Friday’s practice report and game designations. Dallas Cowboys TE John Stephens (Hamstring) DNP all week – OUT TE Jake Ferguson (Knee) DNP all week – DOUBTFUL DE Marshawn Kneeland (Calf) DNP Wednesday, Limited Thursday, Full Participant Friday – No Designation ST CJ Goodwin (Foot) Limited Wednesday, Limited Thursday, Full Friday – No Designation WR Brandin Cooks, LB Eric Kendricks, DE DeMarcus Lawrence, OG Zack Martin sat out Wednesday for rest New Orleans Saints DT Khalen Saunders (Calf) – OUT LB D’Marco Jackson (Calf) – OUT DT Bryan Bresee (Illness) – DNP Friday – Questionable CB Marshon Lattimore (Hip/Hamstring) DNP all week – Questionable OT Taliese Fuaga (Back) Limited Wednesday, DNP two days – Questionable DE Isaiah Foskey (Back) DNP Friday – Questionable LB Jaylan Ford (Hamstring) Limited all week – Questionable  Related Links Read all the best Cowboys coverage at the Austin American-Statesman and Cowboys Wire.

Cowboys vs Saints: How does Dallas cope if Jake Ferguson is out? Mike Crum MCL sprain. The sprain typically keeps a player out 2-to-6 weeks. Dallas gets to exhale that it wasn’t more severe, and head coach Mike McCarthy has indicated he’s doing what he can to return quickly, but the team still has to find a way to replace his production in any games he might miss. Second-year UDFA Hunter Luepke played more snaps at tight end than fullback in Week 1, and he is an option to take snaps for Ferguson, but there are many other ways to try and replace him. The second-round pick, Luke Schoonmaker, should be the obvious choice. Between his size, athleticism, pedigree, and draft value, Schoonmaker should be able to step in for Ferguson with an ability to replicate what Ferguson is asked to do. A poor injury history has slowed his development, and he hasn’t had any production, so he isn’t the apparent lock he should be. John Stephens, Jr. and Brevyn Spann-Ford are undrafted free agents (UDFA) who each have some valuable qualities for replacing Ferguson, but they are unknown in actual games. It would be better if the production loss from Ferguson’s injury came from Brandin Cooks, Jalen Tolbert, and Jalen Brooks. Getting an excellent receiver like Cooks more touches can only help an offense with limited weapons, and developing Tolbert or Brooks into a more reliable target is an ideal scenario because they will still impact the game similarly when Ferguson returns. You can find Mike Crum on Twitter @cdpiglet or YouTube on the Across the Cowboys Podcast Read all the best Cowboys coverage at the Austin American-Statesman and Cowboys Wire.

Week 2 vs Saints gives Cowboys rookies another opportunity to shine K.D. Drummond Dallas put a lot of pressure on their rookie class this year by asking six different players to make significant contributions right from the start of the season. They excelled against the Cleveland Browns, what will they have in store for the New Orleans Saints? In Week 1, Tyler Guyton had to start and play opposite the reigning defensive player of the year, Myles Garrett. Cooper Beebe started his first game as an NFL center and had to deal with the mammoth Dalvin Tomlinson. Caelen Carson had the tough task of covering former Cowboys receiver Amari Cooper, Marshawn Kneeland, and Brevyn Spann-Ford played plenty of snaps in rotation. The rookies passed all the first tests with excellent grades. Beebe led all rookie offensive linemen in pass-blocking snaps without a pressure allowed, Carson held Cooper to only two receptions for 16 yards with two pass breakups, and Kneeland had six pressures, the third most on the team. Expectations will rise now, and the players might need to elevate their play depending on their matchup and expectations. Guyton survived against Garrett and is now asked to handle veteran Cameron Jordan, one of the better defensive ends in the league. Carson has to try to lock up tough matchups in Chris Olave and Rashid Shaheed.  Kneeland faces off with fellow rookie Taliese Fuaga, who didn’t allow a single pressure in his first game. For rookies, it’s important to flash their upside, but imperative to establish consistency from week to week. Can this group loaded with potential have similar performances in Week 2? You can find Mike Crum on Twitter @cdpiglet or YouTube on the Across the Cowboys Podcast Read all the best Cowboys coverage at the Austin American-Statesman and Cowboys Wire.

Cowboys vs Saints: Bad Week 1 opponents make gauging each team difficult Mike Crum The Dallas Cowboys handled their business as a road underdog to the Cleveland Browns in Week 1, as the offense held up against one of the best defenses in the NFL last season. The new defense under the leadership of Mike Zimmer was dominant, and the special teams unit might have been the best part of the team. Now Dallas returns to Texas for their home opener against the New Orleans Saints, who are 1-0 after blowing out the Carolina Panthers. It will take multiple games before the Cowboys can establish any certainty in answering questions about the team. Still, each outing open up storylines for the team based on assumptions, unknowns, and theories. Can players continue performing well week to week, or improve after playing poorly? How will the team respond to injuries? Dallas and New Orleans both blew out their Week 1 opponents, but was that more about themselves or the quality of the team they faced? The Cowboys were road underdogs who played against a team with the best defense in the league when they played at home last year. Dallas had to compete with rookies playing at two offensive line spots, a rookie corner, and one corner returning from a significant injury. Their starting nickel linebacker was playing in his first game and returning from a season-ending injury. On paper, the Browns were a legitimate opponent. The Panthers didn’t have much to offer in terms of competition. Saints’ quarterback Derek Carr, only threw four incompletions on 23 pass attempts. Alvin Kamara averaged 5.5 yards per rush, and a slot corner, Alontae Taylor, somehow led the team with three sacks. Carolina just couldn’t put up any resistance, so Dallas will be an actual test of how good the Saints might be this season. New Orleans could be a top-tier team, but Dallas won games against excellent competition last season. In 2023, the Cowboys had home victories over the Los Angeles Rams, Seattle Seahawks, Detroit Lions, and the 10-1 Philadelphia Eagles. Dallas must continue playing at the highest level at home under Mike McCarthy. If they play as they did in the playoffs, they risk losing the aura they established in AT&T Stadium. That feeling of being hard to deal with at home could give them the confidence needed when they face the Baltimore Ravens, Detroit Lions, Houston Texans, and Philadelphia Eagles. Dallas walked into their playoff matchup with the Green Bay Packers on a 16-game home winning streak, the longest since 1979 through 1981. Their last loss had been in Week 1 of the 2022 season against Tom Brady, who will call the game on Sunday. Will Dallas continue their regular-season dominance, or will a losing streak at home begin? You can find Mike Crum on Twitter @cdpiglet or YouTube on the Across the Cowboys Podcast Read all the best Cowboys coverage at the Austin American-Statesman and Cowboys Wire.