GO COWBOY !!!! Key matchups: Saints vs. Cowboys

The New Orleans Saints won their season opener on all faucets of the game in a 47-10 dominant victory over the Carolina Panthers. But now the Saints will face a tougher opponent when they travel to Dallas to take on the Cowboys, who also had an impressive season-opening win against the Cleveland Browns. If New Orleans hopes to win, they must take advantage of these key matchups.

Saints O-line vs. Cowboys pass rush

The Saints’ offensive line showed out in the season opener allowing just one sack to a Panthers defense that features two Pro Bowl pass rushers. The offensive line has the opportunity to prove their dominance as they face a Cowboys defense that sacked quarterback Deshaun Watson six times.

Many media outlets ranked the Saints’ offensive line as a bottom-five unit going into the season. Despite the harsh ranking, the offensive line dominated against the Panthers earning the highest rating from Pro Football Focus.

But Dallas is home to one of, if not the best pass rushers in the league, Micah Parsons. On the opposite side of Parsons is a veteran DeMarcus Lawrence who’s accumulated over 60 sacks in his career. Lining up against these All-Pro pass rushers will be the young tackles for the Saints, Taliese Fuaga and Trevor Penning. Both players had solid performances against the Panthers Pro Bowl pass rushers, but the Dallas defensive line has stars all around. The Saints won in the trenches on both sides of the ball in their opener and will hope to do that again on Sunday.

Derek Carr vs. Cowboys secondary

The Cowboys’ secondary has been known to create turnovers. In 2021 cornerback Trevon Diggs earned All-Pro nods after his impressive 11-interception season. In 2023 cornerback DaRon Bland set the NFL record for the most interceptions taken for a touchdown in a season with five. Although Bland is injured and won’t face the Saints for their week two matchup, it’s clear what the Cowboys secondary wants to do, create turnovers.

Derek Carr had an outstanding performance against the Panthers completing 19/23 pass attempts for 200 yards and 3 touchdowns, earning himself the highest grade from Pro Football Focus of all week one quarterbacks. Carr was decisive, precise, and extended plays with his legs. Now facing a secondary that will do everything to bait the 11-year veteran into making bad plays, Carr may be hesitant to make decisions, especially with a defensive line that’s almost guaranteed to create more pressure than the Saints’ quarterback faced in week one. On the contrary, Carr can manipulate and take advantage of the eager Dallas secondary that will attempt to jump routes, keep their eyes on the quarterback, or bait. If the offense capitalizes on the Cowboys’ eagerness the New Orleans wideouts could be in for a big day.

CeeDee Lamb vs. Lattimore/Adebo

Cornerback Marshon Lattimore suffered a hamstring injury during the season opener and his availability for week two is in question. The possible absence of the former All-Pro can be a big one as the Saints travel to Dallas to take on CeeDee Lamb and the Cowboys. Lamb caught five passes on 10 targets in week one accumulating 61 yards. Nothing that stands out, but Lamb was lined up against one of the league’s best cornerbacks Denzel Ward. Now, the 2023 First-team All-Pro receiver will face another top corner in Marshon Lattimore, pending injury.

If Lattimore is unable to go the Saints have backup. Cornerback Paulson Adebo has been a rising star on the defense after he took over for the injured veteran in 2023. Adebo has shut down some of the league’s top receivers in previous seasons, but Lamb is coming off a 1,749-yard and 12-touchdown season. If the four-year cornerback is tasked with covering Lamb for most of the game, it will reveal just how good Adebo may be.