Micah Parsons and Mike Zimmer disagree on the reason behind the Cowboys’ Week 2 loss

Winning big one week then losing in devastating fashion the next is a very Cowboys-ish thing to do, and of course the Dallas Cowboys did.

In Week 1 of the 2024 season, the Cowboys traveled to Cleveland and dominated on both sides of the ball. The Cowboys’ offense put up 33 points on a tough Browns defense, who were ranked No. 1 in 2023. Meanwhile, the Cowboys’ defense was relentless with six sacks, two interceptions and a forced fumble. After paying quarterback Dak Prescott and filling defensive needs, it seemed like the Cowboys were primed to be an elite team.

Then it all imploded in Week 2.

The New Orleans Saints came into AT&T Stadium looking to make a statement — and they did in a 44-19 victory. The Saints’ offense scored on 15 straight possessions, RB Alvin Kamara reminded the league how dangerous he is with 115 rushing yards, 65 receiving yards and scoring four times while the Saints’ defense came out hitting and racked up eight pass breakups, two interceptions, a forced fumble and three sacks.

Following the loss, the Cowboys’ defense was called into question. New defensive coordinator for the Cowboys, Mike Zimmer told reporters on Monday he didn’t think the team’s effort was an issue. But defensive star Micah Parsons disagreed.

Micah Parsons on his @BleacherReport podcast on the Cowboys’ 44-19 loss to the Saints: “The effort was not there by all 11. … You have a standard … we didn’t uphold that standard. … I’m determined to get this thing right.” pic.twitter.com/auymquUq0K

— Jon Machota (@jonmachota) September 16, 2024

Parsons shared on his podcast,”The Edge with Micah Parsons,” there was a lack of effort.

“The effort was not there by all 11…The basics fundamentals of the game of football was not there. At the end of the day, you have a standard of who you during training camp and throughout this process to get you ready for the season. We didn’t uphold that standard…Was it the preparation? What was it? I don’t know,” Parsons vented.

Parsons added that he wanted to be “that guy” for the Cowboys this season and wanted to see the team get back on the right track.

During Monday’s press conference, Zimmer said it wasn’t an effort issue, rather it was just the Saints that beat them.

“They [Saints] beat us off the snap quite a few times…That’s my fault, I got to get them better ready to play than that. I talked to them during the week about it but at the end of the day, we didn’t get moving quick enough…obviously they got a good scheme but it was things we worked on,” said Zimmer.

While the two defensive leaders don’t share the same reasoning, they both took ownership over the loss which could be the right step for the defense if they hope to regroup. Now the Cowboys must prepare for another offensively stacked team in the Baltimore Ravens. The Ravens fell 0-2 in Week 2, making this Week 3 matchup crucial for both teams and their playoff aspirations.