In Week 2 of the NFL season, the Dallas Cowboys faced significant challenges in their home opener against the New Orleans Saints, marked by communication mishaps between star wide receiver CeeDee Lamb and quarterback Dak Prescott. The game highlighted several issues, culminating in a disappointing 44-19 loss for the Cowboys.
The duo’s miscommunication was a focal point of concern. During the second quarter, Prescott targeted Lamb on a slot fade route in the end zone, but a misalignment thwarted the play. As a result, the Cowboys had to settle for a 38-yard field goal by kicker Brandon Aubrey, changing the score to 14-6. This was one of several missteps that cost the Cowboys crucial points.
Lamb, who signed a lucrative four-year, $136 million extension before the training camp in 2023, had led the NFL with 135 receptions that year. Despite his noteworthy performance, this particular game demonstrated the vulnerabilities in his connection with Prescott, exacerbated by Lamb’s missed practice time with the quarterback during the preseason. "It's all about getting on the same page as your quarterback being a receiver," Lamb acknowledged. "For me, it's just making sure that I'm available for him. Whatever I got to do to be open, I'm going to do that."
Prescott echoed the need for continuous communication, stating, "Just continuing to communicate each and every day that we're in here, whether it's the film, whether it's something at practice. Certain routes to make sure that some of those mistakes don't happen again." The quarterback, who led the league with 36 passing touchdowns in 2023, struggled to find a rhythm with Lamb, failing to complete any of his three vertical route attempts to his primary target in the last game. Moreover, Prescott threw an interception to Saints safety Tyrann Mathieu, further compounding the team's woes.
Running Game Concerns
The Cowboys' lackluster performance wasn't limited to the passing game. The team's run game has been consistently underwhelming, averaging a mere 85 yards per game, placing them 25th in the NFL. Their 3.7 yards per attempt also ranks them at a dismal 26th. Key contributors to the run game include Rico Dowdle, Ezekiel Elliott, and Deuce Vaughn, but they have yet to provide the necessary spark to bolster the Cowboys' offensive strategy.
Head coach Mike McCarthy emphasized the importance of offseason preparation and team cohesion. "Our guys have done a really good job, especially away from here in the offseason, the summertime of spending that time together," McCarthy noted. Despite these efforts, the on-field results have yet to meet expectations.
Looking Ahead to the Ravens
The Cowboys now face the formidable Baltimore Ravens, a team known for allowing the most passing yards per game at 257.0 and a 68.4% success rate on targets to the slot. This presents an opportunity for Lamb, who led the NFL in slot receiving yards in both 2022 and 2023, to exploit the Ravens’ defensive weaknesses. Last season, Prescott and Lamb connected for 26 completions and 628 receiving yards on vertical routes, a synergy they will undoubtedly aim to rekindle.
Lamb remains optimistic about improving his connection with Prescott. "That's just only the beginning. Everything that I've trained for in the offseason is going to come to life. I have no doubt about it," Lamb shared. Prescott also expressed confidence in the team's potential for better performance in the red zone. "We can hold some windows longer. I can anticipate a little bit better. I think once you get that going a little bit more, I think that’s just where the red zone will take off," he said.
Reflecting on their recent performance, Prescott admitted, "We were able to move the ball last week. Touchdowns were the problem." As the Cowboys prepare to face the Ravens, the focus will remain on refining their offensive execution and fostering a stronger connection between Prescott and Lamb.
The upcoming game against Baltimore will be a litmus test for the Cowboys’ ability to bounce back from their early-season struggles. With a potent combination of talent and determination, the team hopes to turn their season around and showcase the dynamic potential of their star quarterback-receiver duo.