The Dallas Cowboys' defense faced a tough wake-up call in their Week 2 matchup against the New Orleans Saints, suffering a 44-19 defeat. Coming off a strong 33-17 victory over the Cleveland Browns in Week 1, this game marked a significant reversal of fortunes for Dallas.
The Saints' offense, helmed by quarterback Derek Carr, dominated from the onset. Scoring a touchdown on each of their first six drives, New Orleans displayed an offensive masterclass that left the Cowboys scrambling. Their 80-yard drive, culminating in a five-yard touchdown run from Alvin Kamara, was merely a prelude to Kamara's exceptional performance. He racked up 180 yards from scrimmage and found the end zone three times.
Defensively, the Cowboys struggled significantly. They allowed 35 points in the first half, tying a franchise record for the most points conceded in that timeframe. This game also marked the second-largest home opener defeat under the tenure of owner Jerry Jones.
The defensive issues were highlighted by linebacker Eric Kendricks, who reflected on the team’s poor start: "For sure humbling, can't give up big plays and start the game off like that. Got us on our heels." Similarly, cornerback Trevon Diggs voiced his frustration with 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."
Against the Saints, the Cowboys managed only one sack and one interception, a stark contrast to their six sacks and two interceptions in Week 1. Their quarterback pressure rate plummeted to a meager 17.6%. Micah Parsons, highlighting the defensive shortcomings, emphasized the need for better execution: "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."
Parsons also noted the strategic challenges posed by the Saints' offense: "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."
This defeat left a palpable sense of disappointment within the Cowboys' locker room. Kendricks captured the sentiment, observing, "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."
Parsons echoed a similar sentiment, expressing his determination to lead by example upon reviewing the game footage: "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 arduous task of regrouping and addressing their defensive vulnerabilities. With consistent performances, leaders like Parsons and Kendricks must set the standard to ensure this humbling defeat becomes a stepping stone rather than a stumbling block. Moving forward, Dallas will need to harness their Week 1 form to reinvigorate their season hopes.