2024 Week 2: Saints 44, Cowboys 19
Another game, another Saints blowout victory. This game is being blown out of proportion because it's the Cowboys, and everyone loves to make fun of them. Mostly for good reason, but Dallas wasn’t all that bad in this one. The Saints are not gods and the Cowboys aren’t bottom dwellers.
This was a ball game for a long time, until Dak threw a pass where the receiver slipped and it was an easy INT for the New Orleans defense. Dallas wasn’t struggling to move the ball, they were just struggling to convert their drives into more than just field goals.
New Orleans definitely won this game, but they didn’t ‘blow out’ the Cowboys. This was a well fought shootout and the Cowboys just happened to make more mistakes.
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QB Report:
- Derek Carr (11/16 for 243 yards, 2 TD/1 INT) has thrown 2+ TDs in 7 straight games. He’s hot right now.
- Dak Prescott (27/39 for 293 yards, 1 TD/2 INT) didn’t help the Cowboys in this one, with the two INTs and also a snap he couldn't get his hands on, killing another drive.
RB Report:
- Deuce Vaugn (4-11-0, 1 catch for 6 yards) seems to be working his way into the starting role in Dallas, which will likely be a split backfield, but gone are the days of the bell-cow RB. On the Cowboys first drive of the game Rico Dowdle (7-30-0, 4 catches for 29-0/5) and Deuce split snaps: 7 for Rico, 4 for Deuce.
- This is the first time Deuce has been used in the starter role in his young NFL career, usually playing in blowouts. The biggest change in this backfield was no Ezekiel Elliott (6-16-0, 2 catches for 16-0/3).
- Drive 2 was a Deuce-Zeke split earning 3 and 6 snaps respectively… no Dowdle.
- Deuce is being prepared for a larger role in this offense, I believe. He is a very good running back that can also play WR with his skillset… and there isn’t a lot of competition for him to get past. Zeke is old and showing his age, Dowdle is essentially a warm body, and Dalvin Cook can’t find his way off the practice squad.
- The Saints are all-in on running the ball this year, and it’s working incredibly well behind the legs of Alvin Kamara (20-115-3, 2-65-1/3) who scored 4 touchdowns in this game.
WR/TE Report:
- I’m still not worried about Chris Olave’s low usage (4-81-0/6). He missed a touchdown by about half a yard and if that connected, everyone would be singing his praises. 38% of targets went his way.
- Rashid Shaheed (4-96-1/4, 3 rushes for 13 yards) is finding his way into becoming a consistent part of the offense. Another deep-shot TD and 3 carries to go with it, that’s how a speedy WR should be used.
- Taysom Hill (1-1-0/1, 3 rushes for 18 yards) was injured mid-game and had to deal with that, if Carr goes down Hill will be the starter.
- Jalen Tolbert (6-82-0/9) seems to be on his way to being Dak’s #2 over Brandin Cooks (2-19-0/2). Their connection doesn’t look great but there’s something to be said about earning a QBs trust. Tolbert lead the Cowboys in targets
D/ST Report:
- Saints CB Alonte Taylor (9 tackles, 1 TFL) is now up to 4 TFLs and 3 sacks on the year. Did I mention he’s a cornerback?
- Brandon Aubrey (4/4 FG, 1/1 XP) is hitting field goals like a maniac, he is the best kicker in the league.
- Saints kicker Blake Grupe (1/1 FG, 5/6 XP) is also on a very nice run, the Saints offense likely can’t keep up this TD pace so he’ll be back to kicking field goals in due time.
