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

ARLINGTON, Texas — The Dallas Cowboys on Sunday struggled to stop the New Orleans Saints’ rushing attack. They failed to supply pressure on quarterback Derek Carr. And a defense that arrived in Week 2 with high expectations experienced lapses in the secondary, crumpled on third downs and looked lost on all manners of screen plays, swing passes and misdirection throughout a demoralizing 44-19 loss.

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

The Cowboys allowed 35 points in the first half, tying a franchise record over the first two quarters of a game. In total, the Saints scored touchdowns on their first six possessions. Running back Alvin Kamara finished with 180 total yards and four touchdowns, while Carr averaged 15.2 yards per pass attempt.

New Orleans’ beatdown of Dallas’ defense spoiled the home opener for the Cowboys, who had won 16 straight regular-season games at AT&T Stadium. Sunday, Dallas (1-1) more closely resembled the team that collapsed in a loss to the Packers during a January playoff game than the one that thrived at home before the postseason.

In the moments before the final whistle, many of the remaining fans wore Saints black and gold and began a “Who Dat?” chant famous in New Orleans. For the visiting team, the celebration was on.

Here are more quick details on the Cowboys’ loss to the Saints (2-0).

IT WAS OVER WHEN…

In retrospect, it seems like the knockout blow came early on, when Saints wide receiver Rashid Shaheed sprinted free between two Cowboys’ safeties and hauled in a 70-yard touchdown reception in the first quarter. At that point, the rout had begun.

Dallas did hang onto hope after safety Donovan Wilson intercepted Carr early in the fourth quarter, finally ending New Orleans’ string of touchdown drives and keeping the lead at 22 points. But Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott threw a pick of his own on the ensuing possession, effectively cementing the team’s first loss of the year.

STAT TO KNOW

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

Dallas’ defense finished with one sack (Chauncey Golston) and one other quarterback hit (Osa Odighizuwa). New Orleans effectively shut out star defensive ends DeMarcus Larence and Micah Parsons.

The Saints established the running game early, making life easy for Carr, who finished 11-for-16 passing.

AND THE OFFENSE?

While the Cowboys’ defensive woes became the story, the offense had an up-and-down day. Wide receiver CeeDee Lamb broke a tackle on a catch-and-run that went for a 65-yard touchdown, his first score of the season.

But Dallas’ run game lacked consistency, quarterback Dak Prescott threw two interceptions and the team settled for four field goals for the second consecutive week.

UP NEXT

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