In Week 2, as the Dallas Cowboys took the field for their home opener against the New Orleans Saints, the spotlight unexpectedly shone on the miscommunications between wide receiver CeeDee Lamb and quarterback Dak Prescott. Despite their superstar status, the duo struggled to find synchronization on critical plays, culminating in a tough loss for the Cowboys, with a final score of 44-19.
Miscommunications between Lamb and Prescott became starkly evident in the second quarter of the game. Prescott aimed for Lamb in the end zone on a slot fade route but was met with a misalignment instead. Subsequent to this error, the Cowboys settled for a 38-yard field goal by kicker Brandon Aubrey, making the score 14-6. Reflecting on the situation, Lamb cited the lack of practice time with Prescott during training camp as a significant factor. As Prescott admitted, “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.”
The Cowboys' loss to the Saints not only exposed offensive inconsistencies but also underlined broader issues within the team. Presidio struggled, especially with vertical routes to Lamb, failing to complete any of his three attempts. Moreover, Prescott threw an interception to Saints safety Tyrann Mathieu, further compounding their troubles. Despite these hurdles, Lamb remains optimistic, emphasizing the importance of synchronization with his quarterback. “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.”
Prescott and Lamb's successful partnership in previous seasons shines a light on the potential they hold. Last season, they connected for 26 completions and 628 receiving yards on vertical routes. Lamb also led the NFL in slot receiving yards in both 2022 and 2023, showcasing his prowess in the game. Yet, the Cowboys' run game remains a concern, averaging just 85 yards per game and ranking 25th in the NFL. Additionally, their 3.7 yards per attempt ranks them 26th, highlighting a critical area needing improvement. The running backs - Rico Dowdle, Ezekiel Elliott, and Deuce Vaughn - have yet to find a cohesive rhythm on the field.
Dak Prescott's performance, leading the league with 36 passing touchdowns in 2023, stands in contrast to the recent struggles. Following the game, he reflected on the team's red-zone challenges, stating, “We were able to move the ball last week. Touchdowns were the problem. 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.”
As the Cowboys gear up to face the Baltimore Ravens next, the focus will inevitably be on refining communication and execution. The Ravens have their defensive vulnerabilities, allowing the most passing yards per game at 257.0 and a 68.4% success rate on targets to the slot. This statistic might offer Prescott and Lamb an opportunity to leverage their strengths. Recalling the offseason work by the team, head coach Mike McCarthy commented, “Our guys have done a really good job, especially away from here in the offseason, the summertime of spending that time together.”
Optimism remains despite the setbacks, with Lamb particularly buoyant about the future. “That's just only the beginning,” he said. “Everything that I've trained for in the offseason is going to come to life. I have no doubt about it.” For the Cowboys, the upcoming matches serve as both a challenge and an opportunity to reset, recalibrate, and showcase the formidable potential that Lamb and Prescott bring to the field.