As the Dallas Cowboys faced their home opener against the New Orleans Saints in Week 2, a significant issue became apparent: miscommunications between wide receiver CeeDee Lamb and quarterback Dak Prescott. This tension was most visible during a second-quarter play where Prescott aimed for Lamb in the end zone on a slot fade route, only for the duo to struggle with alignment. The Cowboys had to settle for a 38-yard field goal by kicker Brandon Aubrey, moving the score to 14-6. Ultimately, the Cowboys succumbed to the Saints in an overwhelming 44-19 loss.
CeeDee Lamb, who signed a four-year, $136 million extension before the 2023 training camp, acknowledged the lapse, attributing it to missed practice time with Prescott. "It's all about getting on the same page as your quarterback being a receiver," Lamb admitted. "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 the rocky start, Lamb's performance in 2023 has been nothing short of stellar. He led the NFL with 135 receptions, and his connection with Prescott is a proven asset, with the duo amassing 26 completions and 628 receiving yards on vertical routes last season. Prescott himself led the league in passing touchdowns with 36. Yet, their struggles in the game against the Saints, including an interception thrown by Prescott to Saints safety Tyrann Mathieu and three unsuccessful vertical route attempts to Lamb, underline the importance of cohesion.
Seeking Solutions
The Cowboys face an uphill battle as they prepare to clash with the Baltimore Ravens next. The Ravens, despite allowing the most passing yards per game at 257.0 and a 68.4% success rate on targets to the slot, will pose a formidable challenge. However, Lamb’s history as the NFL leader in slot receiving yards in 2022 and 2023 could provide a glimmer of hope for Dallas. "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," Prescott emphasized.
Running backs Rico Dowdle, Ezekiel Elliott, and Deuce Vaughn haven’t made significant headway, contributing to the team’s average of 85 yards per game on the ground—ranking 25th in the NFL. With only 3.7 yards per attempt, placing them 26th in the league, the Cowboys' reliance on their passing game intensifies. Head coach Mike McCarthy remains optimistic about the chemistry building among his players. "Our guys have done a really good job, especially away from here in the offseason, the summertime of spending that time together," McCarthy remarked.
Building Trust on the Field
As they regroup, Lamb is confident that the off-season preparations will soon pay off. "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 declared. For Prescott, improving red zone efficiency remains a priority. "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, reflecting on the missed opportunities.
Despite the recent setbacks, the Cowboys showed they could move the ball effectively. "We were able to move the ball last week. Touchdowns were the problem," Prescott commented. As they gear up to face the Ravens, their focus will undoubtedly be on translating those yards into points.
With Jerry Jones at the helm managing and owning the team, the Dallas Cowboys are no strangers to the spotlight. The challenge lies in turning promising individual stats into cohesive team efforts that result in victories. As Lamb and Prescott work through their recent misfires, their resilience and determination will be pivotal in navigating the season ahead.