In a challenging Week 2 matchup, the Dallas Cowboys faced significant hurdles during their home opener against the New Orleans Saints. Amidst the game's drama, wide receiver CeeDee Lamb and quarterback Dak Prescott struggled with miscommunications that hampered their performance. Prescott aimed for Lamb in the end zone on a crucial slot fade route in the second quarter, but a misalignment marred what could have been a touchdown. This missed opportunity forced the Cowboys to settle for a 38-yard field goal by kicker Brandon Aubrey, closing the gap to 14-6 at that point.
The root of these on-field missteps seems to trace back to a lack of practice time together between Lamb and Prescott. "It's all about getting on the same page as your quarterback being a receiver," Lamb acknowledged after the game. "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." Head coach Mike McCarthy added, "Our guys have done a really good job, especially away from here in the offseason, the summertime of spending that time together."
Despite these efforts, the game ended in a resounding 44-19 loss to the Saints. Prescott's performance was further marred by an interception to Saints safety Tyrann Mathieu and his inability to complete any of his three vertical route attempts to Lamb. Referring to the passing game struggles, Prescott stated, "We were able to move the ball last week. Touchdowns were the problem."
While the partnership between Prescott and Lamb largely excelled in the 2022 season, connecting for 26 completions and 628 receiving yards on vertical routes, the pair faced new challenges this year. Lamb led the NFL with 135 receptions in 2023, matching his previous year’s title, and Prescott led the league in passing touchdowns with 36. However, the Cowboys' offensive rhythm appeared disrupted during their bout with the Saints.
The team's running game also deserves scrutiny, averaging just 85 yards per game, which ranks them 25th in the NFL. Key running backs Rico Dowdle, Ezekiel Elliott, and Deuce Vaughn have been unable to spark significant gains, averaging a mere 3.7 yards per attempt and ranking 26th in the league. As the Cowboys aim to fine-tune their offense, these statistics highlight the broader issues facing the team.
Turning their focus towards their next opponent, the Baltimore Ravens, the Cowboys are set to face a defense that has allowed the most passing yards per game at 257.0 and a success rate of 68.4% on targets to the slot. This gives Prescott and Lamb a prime opportunity to rekindle their chemistry and exploit a vulnerable area in the Ravens' defense. In the previous season, Lamb dominated in slot receiving yards, making this an area to watch in the upcoming game.
Both Prescott and Lamb are committed to addressing their recent difficulties through better communication and relentless preparation. "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," Prescott noted. For Lamb, the solution lies in unwavering dedication and readiness, as he mentioned, "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."
With the high standards set by owner Jerry Jones, who both manages and owns the Cowboys, the pressure is on for the team to rectify their mistakes and showcase their potential for the rest of the season. The upcoming clash against the Ravens will be a critical test for Dallas as they strive to overcome their recent miscommunications and get their season back on track.