The Dallas Cowboys' defensive struggles were glaringly evident during their Week 2 matchup against the New Orleans Saints, culminating in a lopsided 44-19 defeat. Coming off a promising 33-17 victory over the Cleveland Browns in Week 1, the Cowboys were unable to build on their early success, facing a Saints team led by an efficient Derek Carr and a relentless Alvin Kamara.
The cracks in the Cowboys' defense became apparent almost immediately. On each of their first six drives, the Saints found the end zone, seizing momentum and never looking back. Particularly notable was an 80-yard drive capped by a five-yard touchdown run from Kamara, who was unstoppable throughout the game. Kamara tallied an impressive 180 yards from scrimmage and crossed the goal line three times, leaving the Cowboys' defense in disarray.
First-Half Collapse
The scale of Dallas' first-half collapse cannot be overstated. Conceding 35 points in the opening half, the Cowboys tied a franchise record for the most points allowed before halftime. This collapse set the stage for what became the second-largest home opener defeat under owner Jerry Jones's tenure.
Reflecting on their performance, linebacker Eric Kendricks expressed the team’s frustration, saying, "For sure humbling, can't give up big plays and start the game off like that. Got us on our heels." This sentiment of disappointment and acknowledgment of poor execution was shared across the locker room.
Defensive Inconsistencies
Week 1's defensive prowess, where the Cowboys registered six sacks and two interceptions against the Browns, was nowhere to be found against the Saints. With a meager tally of just one sack and one interception, Dallas' defensive line struggled to replicate their previous success. Cornerback Trevon Diggs summarized the issue succinctly: "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."
Tackling Woes
The defense also faltered in tackling fundamentals, with numerous missed tackles contributing to New Orleans’ offensive success. Defensive end Micah Parsons called out the shortcomings in this area: "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."
Furthermore, Parsons noted the adept strategic adjustments made by the Saints, which the Cowboys failed to counter effectively. "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," he explained.
Locker Room Reflections
The mood in the Cowboys' locker room was somber post-game, with players visibly disheartened by the performance. Eric Kendricks shared his perspective on the atmosphere and the need to bounce back: "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 the need for accountability and improvement, saying, "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."
As the Cowboys prepare to move past this defeat, the focus will be on correcting the evident deficiencies and returning to the form they demonstrated in Week 1.