In Week 2 of the NFL season, the Dallas Cowboys faced a challenging home opener against the New Orleans Saints. The match exposed key issues within the Cowboys' offense, most notably the miscommunications between wide receiver CeeDee Lamb and quarterback Dak Prescott. This resulted in a tough 44-19 loss for the team.
The home opener highlighted some of the potential pitfalls within the Cowboys' strategy as Prescott and Lamb were not on the same wavelength. During the second quarter, an attempted slot fade route aimed at Lamb in the end zone resulted in a misalignment, forcing the Cowboys to settle for a 38-yard field goal by kicker Brandon Aubrey. Reflecting on the experience, Lamb admitted the error stemmed from missing practice time with Prescott during training camp. "It's all about getting on the same page as your quarterback being a receiver," Lamb acknowledged. "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."
Despite these setbacks, the potential for greatness in their offensive duo remains evident. Lamb, who led the NFL with 135 receptions in 2023, made significant strides last season. Prescott, who topped the league in passing touchdowns with 36, also boasted an impressive record. Their past performance serves as a reminder of the dynamic synergy they are capable of achieving when in sync.
Head coach Mike McCarthy emphasized the importance of precise and continuous communication between Prescott and Lamb. "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," stressed Prescott. McCarthy added, "Our guys have done a really good job, especially away from here in the offseason, the summertime of spending that time together."
The game against the Saints was particularly telling. Prescott failed to complete any of his three vertical route attempts to Lamb, an unusual statistic given their previous success. Last season, Prescott and Lamb connected for 26 completions and 628 receiving yards on vertical routes, a testament to their explosive potential. Additionally, the quarterback threw an interception to Saints safety Tyrann Mathieu, further underscoring the team's offensive struggles.
Lamb's commitment to improvement was clear as he reflected on the work ahead. "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 remarked. Similarly, Prescott recognized areas for improvement, particularly in 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."
The Cowboys' run game also remains a point of concern. Averaging 85 yards per game and ranking 25th in the NFL, it has shown limited efficacy. Their running backs, including Rico Dowdle, Ezekiel Elliott, and Deuce Vaughn, have struggled collectively, averaging just 3.7 yards per attempt, placing them 26th in the league. Prescott succinctly summarized the offensive woes, "We were able to move the ball last week. Touchdowns were the problem."
Looking ahead, the Cowboys are set to face the Baltimore Ravens next. Known for allowing the most passing yards per game at 257.0 and a 68.4% success rate on targets to the slot, the Ravens present both a challenge and an opportunity for Dallas. Lamb, who led the NFL in slot receiving yards in both 2022 and 2023, will be pivotal. His experience and prior success in the slot position could spell trouble for Baltimore’s defense if Prescott and Lamb can rekindle their on-field chemistry.
As the Cowboys prepare for their next game, the focus will undoubtedly be on refining their offensive coordination. The potential missteps and errors from the previous games are now fuel for pushing the team forward. A combination of dedicated practice, improved communication, and strategic adjustments could well see Prescott and Lamb returning to their formidable form, providing the Cowboys with the offensive solidity required to secure victories moving forward.