Last season, the Dallas Cowboys were untouchable on their home turf, going a perfect 8-0 at AT&T Stadium during the regular season. Whether they delivered a commanding blowout or barely scraped by in a nail-biter, no team could conquer the Cowboys at home.
That narrative came to a crashing halt in January during the NFC Wild Card round when the Green Bay Packers handed Dallas an embarrassing defeat. While some chalked it up to yet another chapter in the Cowboys’ infamous playoff struggles, it seemed like business as usual.
However, Sunday’s matchup against the New Orleans Saints proved otherwise. The Saints dominated from start to finish, leaving the Cowboys reeling in a 44-19 blowout during their home opener, shattering any lingering illusions of home invincibility.
Heading into the game, the outcome was anything but expected. The Cowboys were left searching for answers as the Saints completely overwhelmed them on both offense and defense. Dallas just couldn’t find a way to respond, and it showed on the scoreboard.
Team owner Jerry Jones didn’t mince words when reflecting on the defeat, describing it as “extraordinarily disappointing.” His frustration was clear, but did this signal an overhaul in strategy or personnel?
Not quite. Despite the crushing loss, Jones made it clear that drastic changes—like heads rolling—aren’t on the horizon.
“We will fix this,” Jones assured, his confidence unwavering despite the setback. “We will improve… It’s still early—very, very early. We didn’t see this coming, but it’s clear we have a lot of work to do.” His message to the fans was one of patience and determination, signaling that the team isn’t ready to throw in the towel just yet.
Indeed, the Cowboys have ample time to turn things around, with 15 games still left on the schedule. A critical showdown against the Baltimore Ravens is just around the corner, offering Dallas a chance to reset and refocus.
So, how does this team improve? Clearly, Sunday wasn’t their best performance. Adjusting to a new defensive system and finding consistency on offense are typical growing pains for any NFL team. The Cowboys just need to weather the storm and continue refining their game plan.
The real frustration, and what makes this loss so “disappointing,” is that it highlights the same recurring issues the Cowboys have struggled to resolve. These aren’t new problems—they’re ones the team has repeatedly failed to address.
Dak Prescott certainly wasn’t at his best, and the offense has yet to rediscover the spark that made them so formidable last season. When defenses manage to shut down the CeeDee Lamb connection, the offense seems to falter, struggling to consistently get other playmakers involved. This lack of adaptability continues to haunt the Cowboys.
The Cowboys’ run game was virtually invisible, with just 68 yards on 21 carries. However, it never had the opportunity to find its rhythm, as Dallas quickly fell behind, forcing them to abandon the run game and shift focus to a more pass-heavy offense.
On the defensive side, familiar struggles emerged. The long-standing issues that have plagued the Cowboys resurfaced as the Saints, spearheaded by Alvin Kamara, shredded Dallas with 190 rushing yards. New Orleans’ offensive line consistently set the edge, turned Cowboys’ defenders around, and exploited the gaps in the formation with ease, exposing the weaknesses that continue to haunt the Cowboys’ defense.
The Cowboys had little to offer in response, a frustration that has become all too familiar for both the team and its fans.
While the Cowboys will likely see better outcomes as the season progresses, the deeper, more fundamental issues remain unaddressed. Sunday’s defeat served as a stark reminder that, while improvements may come, there’s still a long road ahead in fully resolving these recurring problems.
Jones and his Cowboys still have plenty of time to refine their game and remain firmly in the playoff race as the NFL season progresses. With the long season ahead, there are ample opportunities for growth and development.
When it comes to the actual areas for improvement, however, it’s important to note that this is a facet that has yet to show significant promise or results. Despite the potential for advancement, tangible progress has been elusive so far.
