The Dallas Cowboys 2023 season has encountered a rocky start, exemplified by miscommunications and missed opportunities on the field. In Week 2, wide receiver CeeDee Lamb and quarterback Dak Prescott faced notable misalignments during the home opener against the New Orleans Saints, a game the Cowboys ultimately lost 44-19.
While the Cowboys managed to generate offense, turning drives into touchdowns proved problematic. "We were able to move the ball last week. Touchdowns were the problem," Prescott admitted.
Missed Connections in Key Moments
One critical moment in the second quarter saw Prescott aiming for Lamb in the end zone on a slot fade route. The miscommunication led to a misalignment that forced the Cowboys to settle for a 38-yard field goal by kicker Brandon Aubrey, making the score 14-6. This instance highlighted the ongoing challenges that the duo faces in finding their rhythm this season. Lamb attributed the mistake to missing valuable practice time with Prescott during training camp.
High Stakes for High Earners
CeeDee Lamb, who signed a substantial four-year, $136 million extension before training camp in 2023, leads the NFL with 135 receptions this year. Despite this achievement, his on-field connection with Prescott remains a work in progress. The quarterback has led the league with 36 passing touchdowns but faltered in his attempts to connect with Lamb on vertical routes during the game against the Saints. Prescott failed to complete any of his three vertical route attempts to the wide receiver and threw an interception to Saints safety Tyrann Mathieu.
Reflecting on their need to improve communication, Lamb stated, "It's all about getting on the same page as your quarterback being a receiver. 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 this sentiment by emphasizing the importance of communication both during film sessions and practices. "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 said.
Challenges in the Run Game
Notably, the Cowboys' run game also struggles, averaging only 85 yards per game, which ranks them 25th in the NFL. They average a modest 3.7 yards per attempt, placing them 26th. The backfield, featuring Rico Dowdle, Ezekiel Elliott, and Deuce Vaughn, hasn't been able to provide the necessary support to balance the offense. Head coach Mike McCarthy acknowledged the situation but praised the team's effort in the offseason, saying, "Our guys have done a really good job, especially away from here in the offseason, the summertime of spending that time together."
Upcoming Challenges Against the Ravens
Looking forward, the Cowboys will face the Baltimore Ravens next. Despite their recent struggles, the matchup provides an opportunity for redemption. With the Ravens allowing the most passing yards per game at 257.0 and a 68.4% success rate on targets to the slot, it could be an advantageous scenario for Lamb and Prescott to reconnect. Lamb, who led the NFL in slot receiving yards in both 2022 and 2023, may see an opportunity to exploit this defensive weakness.
Reflecting on his offseason preparations, Lamb remained optimistic. "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," he asserted. Prescott also expressed confidence in their ability to improve, especially in critical areas like 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.
The synergy between CeeDee Lamb and Dak Prescott will be crucial as the season progresses. Ensuring effective communication and improving execution on the field could transform their potential into consistent performance, enabling the Dallas Cowboys to live up to their high expectations.