Defensive debacle dooms Dallas Cowboys to 44-19 loss to Saints: How it happened

ARLINGTON, Texas — The Dallas Cowboys on Sunday struggled to cease the New Orleans Saints’ speeding assault. They failed to produce strain on quarterback Derek Carr. And a protection that arrived in Week 2 with excessive expectations skilled lapses within the secondary, crumpled on third downs and regarded misplaced on all manners of display performs, swing passes and misdirection all through a demoralizing 44-19 loss.

By the point Dallas countered New Orleans’ offensive onslaught with a semblance of resistance, the outcome was sealed.

The Cowboys allowed 35 factors within the first half, tying a franchise file over the primary two quarters of a sport. In whole, the Saints scored touchdowns on their first six possessions. Working again Alvin Kamara completed with 180 whole yards and 4 touchdowns, whereas Carr averaged 15.2 yards per move try.

New Orleans’ beatdown of Dallas’ protection spoiled the house opener for the Cowboys, who had received 16 straight regular-season video games at AT&T Stadium. Sunday, Dallas (1-1) extra intently resembled the staff that collapsed in a loss to the Packers throughout a January playoff sport than the one which thrived at house earlier than the postseason.

Within the moments earlier than the ultimate whistle, lots of the remaining followers wore Saints black and gold and started a “Who Dat?” chant well-known in New Orleans. For the visiting staff, the celebration was on.

Listed here are extra fast particulars on the Cowboys’ loss to the Saints (2-0).

IT WAS OVER WHEN…

Looking back, it looks as if the knockout blow got here early on, when Saints extensive receiver Rashid Shaheed sprinted free between two Cowboys’ safeties and hauled in a 70-yard landing reception within the first quarter. At that time, the rout had begun.

Dallas did hold onto hope after security Donovan Wilson intercepted Carr early within the fourth quarter, lastly ending New Orleans’ string of landing drives and holding the lead at 22 factors. However Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott threw a choose of his personal on the following possession, successfully cementing the staff’s first lack of the yr.

STAT TO KNOW

After sacking Browns quarterback DeShaun Watson six instances and pressuring him on greater than 20 dropbacks throughout a Week 1 triumph, the Cowboys barely touched Carr.

Dallas’ protection completed with one sack (Chauncey Golston) and one different quarterback hit (Osa Odighizuwa). New Orleans successfully shut out star defensive ends DeMarcus Larence and Micah Parsons.

The Saints established the working sport early, making life straightforward for Carr, who completed 11-for-16 passing.

AND THE OFFENSE?

Whereas the Cowboys’ defensive woes turned the story, the offense had an up-and-down day. Large receiver CeeDee Lamb broke a sort out on a catch-and-run that went for a 65-yard landing, his first rating of the season.

However Dallas’ run sport lacked consistency, quarterback Dak Prescott threw two interceptions and the staff settled for 4 subject objectives for the second consecutive week.

UP NEXT

The Cowboys are scheduled to host the Baltimore Ravens on Sept. 22.