Last week’s victory against Carolina is already in the rearview mirror as the New Orleans Saints (1-0) prepare for a significantly tougher challenge against the Dallas Cowboys (1-0). Fans are searching for where to watch the New Orleans Saints vs Dallas Cowboys game, and for good reason – this Week 2 matchup at AT&T Stadium in Arlington promises to be a compelling contest. After a dominant 47-10 win over the Panthers, the Saints know they must elevate their game to overcome a strong Cowboys team. Here’s what New Orleans needs to focus on to secure another victory.
Protecting Derek Carr from the Dallas Defensive Onslaught
One undeniable strength of the Dallas Cowboys is their ability to pressure the quarterback. The Cowboys defense, which racked up an impressive 46 sacks last season, started the 2024 season strong with six sacks and 25 pressures against Cleveland in Week 1. While the Saints offensive line kept quarterback Derek Carr relatively well-protected against Carolina, allowing only one sack, the challenge from Dallas is exponentially greater.
Defensive end DeMarcus Lawrence, with eight pressures and two sacks in the opening game, and linebacker Micah Parsons, who added a sack and nine pressures, were a constant menace to the Browns’ offense. This puts immense pressure on the Saints’ offensive tackles. The spotlight will be on right tackle Trevor Penning, still in his first year, and potentially Landon Young at left tackle if rookie Taliese Fuaga is unable to play due to a back injury. The Saints’ coaching staff must decide how much these tackles can handle in solo matchups, and how much help they will need to provide. The strategy employed to neutralize the Cowboys’ pass rush will heavily dictate the Saints’ offensive capabilities in this game.
Establishing the Run Game and Utilizing Alvin Kamara
The most effective counter to a relentless pass rush is a strong running game. In their season opener, the New Orleans Saints demonstrated a solid ground attack, accumulating 180 rushing yards and two touchdowns on 37 carries against Carolina. Alvin Kamara, who had 20 touches for 110 yards in Week 1, needs to be a central figure in the offense once again this week. His involvement could be even more crucial as a receiver in this game. Short, quick passes to Kamara can function as extended handoffs, providing Carr with immediate outlets to alleviate pressure. If Carr needs to release the ball quickly to avoid sacks, Kamara’s reliability as a pass-catching running back makes him an invaluable asset in this crucial matchup against the Cowboys.
