In an unexpected turn of events, the Dallas Cowboys' defense faltered significantly in their Week 2 matchup against the New Orleans Saints, enduring a crushing 44-19 defeat. This loss stands in stark contrast to their promising start in Week 1, where they secured a 33-17 victory over the Cleveland Browns.
The game against the Saints quickly spiraled out of control for the Cowboys. New Orleans, under the leadership of quarterback Derek Carr, set the pace early by scoring a touchdown on each of their first six drives. Carr's precision and the Saints' offensive strategy were simply too much for the Dallas defense to handle. The effectiveness of their game plan was on full display with an impressive 80-yard drive, culminating in a five-yard touchdown run from Alvin Kamara.
Kamara, in particular, had a standout performance, racking up 180 yards from scrimmage and scoring three touchdowns. His explosive playmaking was instrumental in the Saints’ domination. By the end of the first half, Dallas conceded 35 points, matching a franchise record for the most points allowed in the first half of a game.
This game marks the second-largest home opener defeat under owner Jerry Jones, signifying a harsh reality check for the Cowboys. Reflecting on the game, Eric Kendricks poignantly remarked, "For sure humbling, can't give up big plays and start the game off like that. Got us on our heels."
Comparing both weeks, the stark decrease in defensive performance is evident. In the victorious Week 1, the Cowboys’ defense was aggressive and disruptive, tallying six sacks and two interceptions. However, against the Saints, the Cowboys managed to secure only one sack and one interception. The disparity in quarterback pressure was notable, with a mere 17.6% pressure rate against New Orleans.
Trevon Diggs did not mince words when he described the team's performance, stating, "Unacceptable. Yeah, it's not necessarily confusing, it's just you have to be on your toes. You have to be on your Ps and Qs because they can run it, play-action and then when they [are] passing the ball, they're max-protecting everybody. So we're not getting any [pass] rush. You're just out there just, you know, this is unacceptable. We ain't come to play today."
Linebacker Micah Parsons also shed light on some of the defensive struggles, emphasizing the need for better tackling techniques, "We have to use our hands and feet. We got a guy like Kamara. We're not tackling well. We're arm-tackling. We're trying to pull a guy down. We got to be aggressive, we have to create penetration and do a much better job tackling."
The Saints’ offensive tactics further compounded the Cowboys' difficulties. Micah Parsons noted the creative approach taken by New Orleans, "They did a great job schematically. Everything was short. Everything was quick, and if it wasn't, it was max [protect], two-man routes. ... Instead of having a lineman block me in max protection with a chip, they sent a chip with a lineman and sent a running back to cut. I was going through a maze almost. I thought that was creative, a new way."
Despite the setback, Eric Kendricks conveyed a sense of resilience within the team, "I feel like you look around the locker you can sense it. Obviously everyone is disappointed. We didn't want that, especially at the home opener. The NFL will humble you like that. This isn't the first time I've been a part of that. We got to make a stand. We got to come back to work tomorrow. Obviously, let it hurt for a little bit. I think that's a good thing. Put it in our rearview and work toward the next."
As the Cowboys regroup and analyze the game film, the focus remains on accountability and improvement. Micah Parsons expressed a determination to maintain high standards, "Everyone is going to say they did their job and everything was perfect right now, but the film tells all. I can't wait to see the film. I don't know who was out of what gap [in the run game]. I know for the guys when I turn the film on, I want to say 'No. 11 was giving his all.' That's all that matters. Then, we're going to continue that standard. I got a job. I owe these guys. I owe my family a certain level of ball. I don't think I helped to the best of my abilities today."
The Cowboys now face the challenge of bouncing back from this defeat, reinforcing their defensive strategies, and rediscovering the form that led them to victory in Week 1. The stark contrasts between their performances in the first two weeks of the season highlight both the potential and the areas needing urgent attention as they continue their campaign.