Early take on how we match up next week vs. Dallas? (1 Viewer)

[Dallas_Saint73]

I’m a Dak fan, but if you pressure him early he can get sloppy. Our d-line is under the radar and linebacker play is solid. Carr can get his yards and the line will show up.

Well, Dallas has a rookie LT starting, so we should see some pressure unless doubled.

 

[Rexman100]

My Apologies, I accidentally left out the elephant in the room when it comes to this game. I’ve been so concerned about us having to double C Lamb that I forgot about Lattimore. (His injury made me forget about him) If Lattimore is near 100% healthy, he will straight up lock down CLamb. He’s our legit shutdown CB. The more im looking at this game, the more im liking our chances. I still think we need to get over the hump in beating a high quality opponent. But it will be much easier with Lattimore at 100% and the oportunistic 32 (TM ) constantly jonesing to make an impact.

 

[Star Power]

I'm a Cowboy fan and will try to shoot straight with y'all.
I see some Saint fans here that are like me . . . I don't know a whole lot about my opponent this week (although there's a lot of Saints fans here in SE Tx, Houston and DFW thanks to Katrina).

First off, a page back someone mentioned All-Pro CB DaRon Bland. He's on week 2 of being out for 6 weeks with a broken bone in his foot. He's replaced by a rookie, Caelen Carson, who looks like a dawg but is still a rookie (2nd game) and is susceptible to the double move. Dallas has a great DB coach.

Dallas started 5 players that were playing their first NFL game last week against the Browns. Carson was one. LT Guyton went against Myles Garrett most of the game and gave up one sack but didn't grade well (PFF) but acceptable results. Center Cooper Beebe graded well and will be a great O-lineman (another dawg). Also his first ever game as a center. LB DeMarvion Overshown (missed all of 2023 - ACL) also started his 1st NFL game and tied with with vet Eric Kendricks (LB Minn.) for most tackles and also had one sack and has blazing speed.
So I have no idea how these teams will matchup. Dallas DL is avg. up the middle, really good LE and rookie RE (Marshawn Kneeland) who played a solid game against the Browns. LB's were really good against Cleveland and the DB's weren't challenged. Dallas has strong safety play with experience back there and hitters ... good depth too.
My take on Dallas D ... DB's will be susceptible to double moves, hard to get wide on running plays, should be able to run inside on them moderately. The Shanahan style weakness should be controlled now that Dan Quinn is gone with his weak azzed schemes.
On offense I see CeeDee Lamb as not up to speed since he held out ALL of camp and PS. It showed against Cleveland (targeted 10 / caught 5). Backup TE is not a starter because, well, he is backup talent . . . Dallas will miss Jake Ferguson. Brandin Cooks caught a lot of shade here but I see him as a plus. Don't sleep on #3 receiver Jalen Brooks. Dallas OL will be a strength by mid-season but they can be moved now ... I see Dak having to move the pocket some and do short and intermediate passing.. (Heard Lattimore may be out but I doubt it). Dallas averaged 4 YPC against a really good front 7 in week 1. Don't see them doing much better than that this week tho.
A quick rundown of Dallas' game against Cleveland: Deshaun Watson sucks. Cleveland started 2 backups on the OL and it showed ... Watson was sacked 6 times and pressured 25 times on 56 attempts. Cleveland had something like 14 yards total offense in the 1st half (1 first down). Dallas went up 24 points early in the 2nd half and went plain jane vanilla offense and defense for most of the 2nd half. The game was never close. Only Dallas 4th win on grass in their last 12 games. Cleveland was a 2.5pt favorite. Cleveland had the #1 defense in 2023 and the DC and talent was essentially the same Dallas had 275 ttl yards. Cleveland went up early 3-0 and Dallas scored the next 27 points.

My take on Dallas . I have no freakin idea what to expect from NO but at least y'all have a scouting report. (I've had some health issues and not been able to do my homework on opponents this year).
By history of the last 10 games (which means nothing) these 2 teams generally play close games and for some reason there's no love lost between them.

Good luck Saints fans !

 

[webster]

My Apologies, I accidentally left out the elephant in the room when it comes to this game. I’ve been so concerned about us having to double C Lamb that I forgot about Lattimore. (His injury made me forget about him) If Lattimore is near 100% healthy, he will straight up lock down CLamb. He’s our legit shutdown CB. The more im looking at this game, the more im liking our chances. I still think we need to get over the hump in beating a high quality opponent. But it will be much easier with Lattimore at 100% and the oportunistic 32 (TM ) constantly jonesing to make an impact.

I like Lattimore, but I honestly don’t see a drop off when he leaves the games.

 

[tinman]

I don't know that it's people are intimidated by Dallas as much as it's they're not sure what they saw from the Saints was real. When was the last time the Saints dominated an opponent like they did the Panthers on Sunday? I think it's more wondering if last Sunday was a mirage more than it's being scared of the Cowboys.

The last game of last season.

 

[dutar76]

On the road in the NFL is tough. On the road 4 days after your area got pounded by a hurricane is tough. I think that plays into it as well. Will our game prep be disrupted? If so, how much.

We performed well vs the panthers in our new system, but thats with months to prepare for that game. This is still a new system and reduced time to prepare could cause some mistakes or things being left out of the game plan.

Many of these players have never been through the difficulties and disruptions these storms cause. Thats an angle thats not really being discussed. I havent heard anything from the team on how they're handling the situation. Forgive me if its here on SR and ive oberlooked it.

 

[Rexman100]

I like Lattimore, but I honestly don’t see a drop off when he leaves the games.

Imo, without Lattimore they'll have to double Lamb.

 

[Boy_of_wonder75]

The last game of last season.

Another really bad team. Again, my point is that Saints fans aren't scared of the Cowboys as much as they are unsure of how real last Sunday's performance was. It's a cautious optimism, not fear.

 

[universalh]

Imo, without Lattimore they'll have to double Lamb.

They would probably still double him with Lattimore. Shutting him down and forcing zeke to run is going to be our best bet. Hopefully, now that we have a modern offense our defense is more prepared for zeke.

 

[neworleanshoo]

No Fuaga or Lattimore at practice today. No Fuaga has me hugely worried.

 

[Scorpius the Allfather]

I'm very happy to see Lattimore is healthy, at least from what I saw recently....makes me feel better about this game.....

While I typically don't think game 2s are critical to the season, this one feels a bit different....it would be nice to break the spell of not beating good teams.....we will see what happens....

Bill Bilichick said he views Week 2 as more important than Week 1.

 

[Dallas_Saint73]

No Fuaga or Lattimore at practice today. No Fuaga has me hugely worried.

I saw the injury report and thought the same. Fuaga with a back injury is no bueno.

 

[Scorpius the Allfather]

They would probably still double him with Lattimore. Shutting him down and forcing zeke to run is going to be our best bet. Hopefully, now that we have a modern offense our defense is more prepared for zeke.

I hate that idea. If you can single a guy that normally gets doubled, then single him. If you double him, then you are leaving someone else open. Take advantage of the fact that you don't need to double their best offensive player.

 

[BreesIsMyFather]

Can one of our defenders say theyll punch Dak in the mouth? Asking for a friend.

 

[Rexman100]

They would probably still double him with Lattimore. Shutting him down and forcing zeke to run is going to be our best bet. Hopefully, now that we have a modern offense our defense is more prepared for zeke.

Yea Joe woods kinda insinuated that. It sounds like shutting Lamb down is priority one.