Dallas Cowboys Face Communication Hurdles as Ravens Matchup Approaches
In their Week 2 home opener against the New Orleans Saints, the Dallas Cowboys' passing game showcased a glaring issue: miscommunication between wide receiver CeeDee Lamb and quarterback Dak Prescott. A botched slot fade route in the second quarter epitomized their struggles, with Prescott aiming for Lamb in the end zone, only for the Cowboys to settle for a 38-yard field goal by kicker Brandon Aubrey, making the score 14-6.
The game concluded with a sobering 44-19 loss to the Saints. Prescott's attempts to connect with Lamb on vertical routes were thwarted, as he failed to complete any of his three attempts, with Saints safety Tyrann Mathieu capitalizing on an interception. Reflecting on the misalignment, Lamb attributed it to missed 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."
Prescott echoed this emphasis on communication, highlighting the importance of daily efforts to refine their connection. "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," he remarked. Head coach Mike McCarthy also praised the duo's offseason efforts. "Our guys have done a really good job, especially away from here in the offseason, the summertime of spending that time together," McCarthy noted.
Despite the setbacks, Lamb remains optimistic about his on-field chemistry with Prescott. "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 asserted.
The Cowboys' issues extend beyond the passing game. Their running game currently ranks 25th in the NFL, averaging 85 yards per game and a mere 3.7 yards per attempt, placing them 26th in the league. The trio of running backs—Rico Dowdle, Ezekiel Elliott, and Deuce Vaughn—will need to amplify their output to aid Prescott and Lamb in the forthcoming fixtures.
Looking at their next matchup, the Cowboys will face the Baltimore Ravens. The Ravens, notorious for their porous pass defense, allow the most passing yards per game at 257.0 and a 68.4% success rate on targets to the slot. This presents an opportunity for Prescott and Lamb to exploit the Ravens' weaknesses. Lamb's dominance in the slot is well-documented; he led the NFL in slot receiving yards in both 2022 and 2023. This could spell a rebound for the Cowboys' aerial attack.
The past performance offers a glimpse of the duo's potent capabilities. Last season, Prescott and Lamb connected for 26 completions and 628 receiving yards on vertical routes. As they prepare for the Ravens, Prescott remains focused on red zone efficiency, stating, "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."
While the Cowboys displayed some offensive capability in their loss to the Saints, Prescott underlined the primary issue: "We were able to move the ball last week. Touchdowns were the problem." The upcoming game against the Ravens will provide a crucial test for the Cowboys to remedy their red zone issues and reignite Prescott and Lamb's connection.
As the Cowboys march into the next phase of the season under the stewardship of owner and manager Jerry Jones, the spotlight will be on the synergy between their star quarterback and wide receiver. The training camp mishaps and early miscommunications may have set them back, but the persistence in developing their rapport and strategic adjustments can set the stage for a resurgence against Baltimore. For Cowboys fans, all eyes are glued to Lambeau to see if Prescott and Lamb can turn promise into production.