Fri Sep 20 12:00:45 UTC 2024: ## Cowboys’ Defense Raises Concerns After Embarrassing Loss to Saints
The Dallas Cowboys entered the season with high hopes, but their Week 2 home opener against the New Orleans Saints was a reality check. After a dominant Week 1 performance, the Cowboys were thoroughly dismantled, losing 44-19. The Saints, who were not considered a threat, scored on each of their first six possessions, exposing serious flaws in Dallas’ run defense.
The game raised concerns about the team’s ability to fix their defensive woes, particularly their inability to stop the run. Experts, including FOX Sports’ David Helman and Ralph Vacchiano, discussed the Cowboys’ biggest problems and potential solutions.
“It’s got to be frustrating how the Ravens find ways to lose leads in the fourth quarter, but that can be fixed with better playcalling and execution,” Helman said. “It’s a lot tougher to fix what we saw from the Dallas run defense. Once again, we watched the Cowboys’ defensive tackles get blown off the ball by the Saints, giving Alvin Kamara miles of open space to run before the linebackers could get to the play.”
Vacchiano echoed Helman’s concerns: “To see them give up so many big plays and to so thoroughly be unable to stop the run in just the second game under new defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer, how could you not be worried?”
Both experts agreed that the Cowboys’ defensive tackles deserve the most blame for the Saints’ offensive outburst. Despite adding Linval Joseph and Jordan Phillips in the offseason, the unit failed to generate consistent pressure, allowing the Saints to run wild.
While the Cowboys’ offensive performance wasn’t perfect, the absence of tight end Jake Ferguson, expected to return for Week 3, played a significant role. “If we learned one thing from the Dallas offense last week, it’s that they are severely lacking juice,” Helman stated. “The Cowboys desperately need Ferguson to lift the rest of this group behind Lamb.”
The experts also debated whether Dak Prescott or Lamar Jackson would be the better choice to start a playoff game. While both quarterbacks have been MVP candidates, Helman argued that Prescott’s superior playoff performance makes him the preferred choice.
Looking ahead, the Cowboys face another crucial game at home against the winless Baltimore Ravens. While the Ravens have also struggled, they are a dangerous opponent with a potent offense led by Jackson. The Cowboys will need to significantly improve their defensive performance to avoid a second straight loss.
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