NEW ORLEANS — The Dallas Cowboys fell to the New Orleans Saints 12-10 on the road in their first loss of the 2019 season. Week four was low scoring for both teams inside the Superdome, but the Saints’ defense won the battle.
Dallas’ offense has been one of the most explosive in the NFL throughout the first three weeks of the regular season and Dennis Allen’s defense outperformed. The offense that fired on all cylinders the first few games with Kellen Moore’s versatile playbook installing play action, and deep downfield throws by Dak Prescott on first and second downs, was nowhere to be seen on Sunday night.
Ezekiel Elliott was bottled up throughout the ballgame totaling 18 carries for 35 yards. Marshon Lattimore had tight coverage on Amari Cooper with solid ball-tracking ability. He matched Cooper stride for stride and rarely got left behind. In addition, Randall Cobb was not on the same page as Prescott missing several catches and 16-year receiving tight end Jason Witten fumbled the ball. Dallas could not move the chains or get into a rhythm offensively. The Cowboys were four of eleven in third down efficiency and amassed six penalties for 64 yards. A bright spark amidst a struggling offense came in the third quarter for Dallas. Blake Jarwin connected with Dak on a 35-yard pass to set up Ezekiel Elliott’s one-yard touchdown rush.
Following the game Jason Witten stated,“ It was a difficult film study on them. You know, they played Houston early obviously with that quarterback running around. They had Seattle last week with some different things and then the Rams with what they try to do, so it was three different styles. I thought we did a good job adjusting to it. There was a lot of role coverage, cover two; really gonna try to force it underneath. The ends played wide a little bit more to keep the ball inside and that was kinda their plan. I thought we were on top of it and we were able to give ourselves a chance, we just obviously did not capitalize.”
The grand surge for the team was the defense’s pass rush. The Cowboys did not allow a touchdown during the game and accumulated 5.0 sacks. Robert Quinn recorded two-of-the-five and had a stellar night. He relentlessly harassed Teddy Bridgewater off the edge and forced him out of the pocket.
“ You know I would give up all my stats for a W, “ Quinn said following the game. “My motivation is to win.”
Jaylon Smith, the quarterback of the defense at middle linebacker also had a big night with seven tackles and a sack. Late in the fourth he pummeled Bridgewater forcing the Saints to punt and giving the Cowboys’ offense another chance to pull away. Dallas was not able to execute but will no doubt learn from the evening’s mistakes on the gridiron as they prepare to host the Packers in week five. The Cowboys still have the tools they need to succeed and to make a postseason run but they have to make the necessary in-game adjustments. Toady the team fell short.
