In a disappointing home opener, the Dallas Cowboys were outclassed by the New Orleans Saints, succumbing to a 44-19 defeat. This marks the second-worst home opener under owner Jerry Jones, only exceeded by the infamous "Pickle Juice Game" in 2000 against the Philadelphia Eagles.
The Cowboys' defense struggled mightily, allowing touchdowns on each of the Saints’ first six drives. This porous defense left fans and analysts questioning the preparation and execution of the team. Defensive Coordinator Mike Zimmer took responsibility for the faults, stating, "Most of the guys I didn't coach up good enough. It really isn't one spot. There were things that we didn't do well... That's [on] me."
Alvin Kamara was a significant thorn in the Cowboys' side, amassing a staggering 180 yards from scrimmage. This included 115 rushing yards on 20 carries and 65 receiving yards on two catches. Kamara found the end zone four times, with three rushing touchdowns and one receiving touchdown, leaving the Cowboys' defense in his wake.
Reflecting on his team’s performance, Head Coach Mike McCarthy acknowledged the need for improved preparation and veteran leadership. "I'm calling on the veterans to help pull us through those moments and that starts with preparation," McCarthy noted. He also emphasized the trial-and-error nature of early-season football, suggesting that September games are a time for teams to learn and adapt. "I wouldn't say it's an effort issue. They finished better than we did. I thought they played better than we did at the end of each play," McCarthy pointed out.
Despite the lopsided loss, there were moments of clarity and responsibility within the team. Linebacker Micah Parsons defended the defensive scheme, stating, "To me, it had nothing to do with the scheme. I thought [defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer] called a pretty good game... Everyone, we all got to play better."
For the Cowboys, this defeat serves as a wake-up call. Their defense was slow to react and got caught off guard multiple times. Zimmer highlighted this issue, saying, "They quick-counted us a few times... it was things we worked on." The consistency and execution during these critical moments left much to be desired, as even McCarthy admitted, "It was not good yesterday. We have a lot of work to do. We looked like a young inexperienced football team... Our young guys made mistakes at unfortunate times that were costly."
McCarthy's yearning for improved veteran presence within the team underscores the importance of seasoned players guiding the younger roster through challenging games. “Days like this are hard on everybody. You got to get past them... It's a grind. You put so much into these. I think it gets harder... you want to make sure you're being consistent with your coaches and being consistent with the players," McCarthy described.
Reflecting on his experience as a coordinator, Zimmer was reminded of his first game with the Cowboys – the "Pickle Juice Game." A game that marked a low point in his career, it seems the echoes of that defeat still linger in his memory. "My first game here as a coordinator was 'The Pickle Juice Game.' I vowed to fix it after that. If I didn't fix those, I wouldn't be standing here today," he said, acknowledging his long journey since that fateful game in 2000.
Notably, the Cowboys began the season with success, securing a 33-17 victory against the Cleveland Browns in Week 1. This stark contrast between the wins and losses highlights the team's inconsistency and immediate need for recalibration.
As the Cowboys look forward to the rest of the season, the call for better preparation and execution will be essential. The loss to the Saints is not merely a blip but a crucial learning point. With a mixture of seasoned veterans and youthful talent, the onus is on the team to heed McCarthy's words and improve moving forward.