Last week's conquering of Carolina means nothing in this week's pursuit of downing Dallas, mainly because the New Orleans Saints (1-0) significantly will step up in weight class Sunday when they play the Cowboys (1-0) at AT&T Stadium in Arlington.
All the good feelings following the season opener, a 47-10 victory over the Panthers, have been shoved aside. Here are a few ways to create some new ones:
1. COCOON CARR
If there's one thing Dallas can do defensively, it's pressure quarterbacks. The Cowboys (46 sacks last season) opened 2024 with six sacks and 25 pressures against Cleveland. The Saints kept quarterback Derek Carr clean against Carolina (one sack allowed), but the task increases exponentially against Dallas. Defensive end DeMarcus Lawrence (eight pressures, two sacks) and linebacker Micah Parsons (one sack, nine pressures) wreaked havoc against Cleveland, so the spotlight will be on the Saints's tackles – likely, first-year right tackle Trevor Penning and possibly four-year veteran Landon Young at left tackle, if rookie Taliese Fuaga (back) can’t play. How much can they handle solo, how much help will be necessary and how will it affect what the Saints want to do offensively? That's what the Saints will have to decide.
2. SECURITY BLANKET
The best way to combat the rush is to run the ball effectively, and New Orleans had 180 yards and two touchdowns on 37 carries against Carolina. Alvin Kamara (20 touches for 110 yards in the opener) has to be involved just as much in this one, perhaps even more as a receiver (five catches, 27 yards against Carolina) because short passes can equal run plays. If Carr must get rid of the ball quickly, Kamara as an outlet is a great option.
3. SEE CEDEE
It appears the Saints won't have the services of cornerback Marshon Lattimore, one of the best in the league, to match against Dallas receiver CeeDee Lamb. Whatever dosage of man-to-man coverage the Saints choose, they'll do so with Paulson Adebo, Alontae Taylor and Kool-Aid McKinstry. Asking one man extensively to follow Lamb (a franchise-record 135 catches for 1,749 yards and 12 touchdowns last season) one-on-one would be a lot. But there likely will be times when it'll be necessary and if so, the corners have to hold up.
4. ATTACK DAK
No secret here: The best defense against a great passing offense forcing obvious passing situations, and pressuring the quarterback. The Saints can do that. Even though no defensive lineman had one of the team's four sacks in the opener, the work submitted – particularly by defensive ends Chase Young and Carl Granderson – was vital. Similar heat is needed against Dallas quarterback Dak Prescott; no matter how acclaimed a quarterback is, he and his offense can be disrupted by pressures and hits.
5. HANDLE THE ATMOSPHERE
The Saints were on the receiving end of raucous adulation in the opener, played at home. The Cowboys have a great venue and adoring crowd, and the noise amplifies when an opponent plays from behind. A fast start and some cushion with would be preferable but even if that turns out to be the case, New Orleans should be prepared to face some adversity. It's unlikely Dallas will acquiesce to the level of a 30-point home beatdown, so the Saints must be ready to deal with the crowd as well as the Cowboys.
6. TIME TO SHINE
Bonus point here – if Dallas leans heavily on man-to-man coverage in the secondary, Saints receiver Chris Olave should take advantage. Nine players were targeted by Carr in the opener and eight caught passes. One of the next steps in Olave's improvement is handling physical play, producing contested catches and being "The Guy" when it's needed. It could be needed against Dallas.
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