In the wake of the Dallas Cowboys' frustrating 44-19 loss to the New Orleans Saints, the team is reflecting on the miscommunications that plagued their performance. At the center of this narrative are wide receiver CeeDee Lamb and quarterback Dak Prescott. The duo, known for their synergy, faced critical moments during the Cowboys' home opener where their connection faltered at key instances.
Signing a four-year, $136 million extension before the 2023 training camp, CeeDee Lamb is undeniably a cornerstone for the Cowboys. His performance on the field, marked by leading the NFL with 135 receptions in 2023, underscores his abilities. However, during the second quarter against the Saints, what should have been a straightforward touchdown on a slot fade route ended in disarray as Prescott and Lamb misaligned, forcing the Cowboys to settle for a 38-yard field goal by kicker Brandon Aubrey, bringing the score to 14-6.
"It's all about getting on the same page as your quarterback being a receiver," Lamb acknowledged post-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."
Prescott, who led the league with 36 passing touchdowns in 2023, also admitted the pressing need for clear communication. "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."
A Long-Awaited Return
Head coach Mike McCarthy has expressed confidence in the core duo's relationship both on and off the field. "Our guys have done a really good job, especially away from here in the offseason, the summertime of spending that time together," McCarthy said. Despite the setbacks, the preparation and groundwork during the offseason remain a silver lining.
The Cowboys' Achilles' heel has been their run game, which averages just 85 yards per game, ranking 25th in the NFL. The run game, which features Rico Dowdle, Ezekiel Elliott, and Deuce Vaughn, averages 3.7 yards per attempt, landing them in the 26th spot league-wide. While the aerial connections, especially between Prescott and Lamb, face scrutiny, the ground game’s inefficiencies cannot be ignored. Prescott himself summed up the shortcomings succinctly: "We were able to move the ball last week. Touchdowns were the problem."
Issues in Execution
The underperformance wasn't limited to short routes and quick passes. Prescott failed to complete any of his three vertical route attempts to Lamb in the last game, an uncharacteristic slump considering their previous high success rate. Last season, the duo connected for 26 completions and 628 receiving yards on vertical routes. Adding to the woes, Prescott threw an interception to Saints safety Tyrann Mathieu, capping off what was a forgettable outing for one of the league's most dynamic quarterback-receiver tandems.
Labyrinth of Red Zone Woes
The red zone inefficiency has been a ghost haunting the Cowboys. "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," Prescott noted. Establishing a rhythm and synchrony in the red zone has remained elusive for the Cowboys, a challenge they must conquer to capitalize on their high-yardage plays.
Looking Ahead
Adding to their upcoming challenges, the Cowboys are set to face the Baltimore Ravens next. The Ravens have a porous secondary, allowing the most passing yards per game at 257.0 and a 68.4% success rate on targets to the slot. It’s an opportunity for Lamb, who led the NFL in slot receiving yards in 2022 and 2023, to exploit a weak defensive unit. Lamb’s undeterred determination and targeted focus were evident: "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."
The Cowboys will need to find their stride, minimize errors, and reforge the missed connections if they are to adjust their trajectory this season. As they process this loss and look towards the clash with the Ravens, the foundational elements—the bond between Prescott and Lamb and their collaborative effort—remain critical to their success.