NFL
By: Greg Rector
Dallas Cowboys Signed Dak Prescott
The deal is finally done. After signing a new four-year contract worth $240 million, Dak Prescott is a happy man, with $231 million guaranteed. He also gets an $80 million signing bonus. So now Cowboys Nation can focus on Micah Parsons and his deal. I don’t want to discuss more contract talk for the 2024 NFL season. Let’s focus on the New Orleans Saints coming to AT&T Stadium. I also said I would be glad to be wrong regarding the week one game against the Cleveland Browns. The Dallas Cowboys beat up the Browns 33-17, and I am so happy I was wrong.
Dallas Cowboys Offense Versus New Orleans Saints Defense
While the New Orleans Saints dominated the hapless Carolina Panthers, the same shouldn’t happen when they face the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday afternoon. The Dallas Cowboys need to play much better than they did in Cleveland.
I loved seeing Tyler Guyton play so well against Myles Garrett, the mean man from the Cleveland Browns. The Saints don’t have that type of menacing edge rusher. I was a bit concerned with how Cooper Bebee played at center, but for his first time ever playing center in an NFL game, he was solid.
The Dallas Cowboys need to gain more yardage than they did against Cleveland. That should be easy enough. With more practice time, efficiency should improve. Ceedee Lamb had two outstanding rushes and caught five passes for 61 yards a good performance after his lengthy holdout.
As I have written repeatedly, I loved how the Dallas Cowboys played yesterday. Stop worrying about who catches how many passes; the stats don’t matter. What matters to me is seeing the Dallas Cowboys play so well in all three phases of the game. That’s from being an old guy who remembers the game from a long time ago, but those days mean something to me and to the rest of Cowboys Nation; I urge y’all to use my thinking process. Football is an actual team sport; when every part of the game does its job, it leads to victories, especially in January when teams are in the playoffs.
Ezekiel Elliott had 40 yards on ten rushes and still attempted to jump over defenders, scoring one touchdown. That is the type of game the Dallas Cowboys need from Elliott. He needs to be the next Jerome Bettis and score six points when the Dallas Cowboys are in the red zone.
Turpin had his first career punt return touchdown, and when your special teams score for your team, it generally leads to victory.
Dallas Cowboys Defense Versus New Orleans Saints Offense
Welcome to your nightmare, Derek Carr and the rest of the New Orleans Saints. While you beat up on the Carolina Panthers, watch the game film about what the Dallas Cowboys did defensively against the Cleveland Browns.
Yes. Micah Parson was dominant, as were the rest of the defense. Trevon Diggs and Demarvion Overshown played masterfully after returning from their ACL injuries. It was a huge win, especially after seeing how Michael Gallup and Terence Steele struggled after returning from the same injury. Cealen Carson was massive playing against Amari Cooper, who held the Browns wide receiver to 2 catches for just 16 yards.
Marshawn Kneeland was also great in his NFL debut, which makes me a happy camper since he helped the bane of my existence with this Dallas Cowboys defense. It has been the way they have collapsed against the running game. As were the defensive tackles who held the Cleveland Browns to just 93 yards, and most of their yardage came very late in the game.
Eric Kendricks played great and had two QB sacks. His presence in the middle of the field means Overshown and Damone Clark can both play more fiercely than opponents expect.
I was excited when Mike Zimmer was named the defensive coordinator because he used a standard 4-3 defense and played players at the right time to surprise opposing quarterbacks. The New Orleans Saints offensive line is a young group, and they must be on their toes when facing this Dallas Cowboys defense.
PREDICTION
As I wrote about in my season preview, I have the Dallas Cowboys blowing out the New Orleans Saints by a score of 34-13. Sorry, Saints fans, but your team will be beaten up by the Dallas Cowboys. You see, the Dallas Cowboys will play much better at AT&T Stadium than they did in their last game at home. Dak Prescott and Ceedee Lamb are both under contract, and the Dallas Cowboys defense wants to play much better than they did against Green Bay.
As always you can find me on X @GregCowboys
