The Cowboys and Saints square off in Week 2 after both enjoyed blowout wins. The Saints scored the most points in the NFL last week, while the Cowboys comfortably cruised past the Browns.
Both of them will now try to get to 2-0 in a matchup at AT&T Stadium. Here are the 10 big storylines for the week, with five for the Saints and five for the Cowboys.
Saints
- The Saints had one of the most impressive wins of any team in Week 1, demolishing division-rival Carolina, 47-10. The 47 points were the most scored by any team in the NFL, and the 37-point blowout was the biggest margin of victory in any game. But shockingly, that's not the most points scored by New Orleans this calendar year. To end the regular season back in January, the Saints racked up 48 points in a win over the Falcons.
- The Saints have unfortunately had to deal with hurricane seasons in the past, and there could be another potential situation with Tropical Storm Francine, which is expected to be upgraded to a hurricane. The storm is on radar in the Gulf of Mexico and headed for Louisiana. Saints head coach Dennis Allen said on his weekly radio show that he will meet with his players on Tuesday, a scheduled day off, to go over potential changes in the practice schedule for the rest of week. Typically, road teams travel to their destination city one day before the game.
- Quarterback Derek Carr completed 82.6 percent of his passes (19 of 24) against the Panthers, the sixth-highest percentage of his career. Carr likely benefitted from new offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak, who had been up in the press box calling plays in the preseason but decided to switch to the field for the first regular-season game last week against the Panthers.
- Cornerback Marshon Lattimore left the game last week with a hamstring injury. The game was out of hand, so New Orleans might have held him out for precautionary reasons. But his return will be vital for the Saints as they get ready to play CeeDee Lamb and Brandin Cooks. The Saints turned to Kool-Aid McKinstry as a backup for Lattimore last week.
- Alvin Kamara, coming off the lowest rushing total of his career with just 694 rushing yards and 1,190 yards from scrimmage last year, had a nice start to the 2024 season. In limited playing time on Sunday, Kamara had 83 rushing yards and a touchdown, and he caught all five of his targets out of the backfield.
Cowboys
- When the preseason ended in late August, the Cowboys didn't have a new contract done for CeeDee Lamb or Dak Prescott. But in the last two weeks, both the star receiver and quarterback have signed new deals that make them the highest paid players at their respective positions, at least in terms of guaranteed money. Prescott got a huge deal on Sunday before the game, signing an extension worth $60 million per season, the most of any player in NFL history. Both played well against Cleveland to help the Cowboys start off with a 1-0 record.
- In all three phases of the game, Dallas was better than the Browns, cruising to a comfortable win that wasn't nearly as close as the final 33-17 score. In doing so, the Cowboys proved they could win a game in Week 1 that wasn't against the Giants. Entering the game, Dallas was 0-7 since 2009 against season-opening opponents other than NYG. It was the Cowboys' first win over an AFC team to open the season since 2005 (San Diego Chargers).
- Mike Zimmer's new defense certainly featured Pro Bowl edge rushers Micah Parsons and DeMarcus Lawrence, who combined for three sacks. But the biggest difference in the defensive play was by the linebackers, led by Eric Kendricks, who had two sacks and an interception in his first game with the Cowboys. Also, DeMarvion Overshown made a splash in his NFL debut, also recording a sack.
- The Cowboys were quite "special" on Sunday in Cleveland. Not only did kicker Brandon Aubrey boot four field goals, including two over 50 yards, but he had a 66-yard kick denied because the Cowboys were flagged for delay of game. Aubrey's kick made it through the uprights and would've tied the NFL record for the longest field goal in league history. Also, KaVontae Turpin returned a punt 60 yards for a touchdown, the first punt return score by the Cowboys since 2017.
- The Cowboys are hopeful tight end Jake Ferguson can play this week after a slight knee sprain last Sunday in Cleveland. Even if he doesn't play this week, the Cowboys staved off a scare when tests revealed no structural damage to the knee. Ferguson will be with the "return to play" rehab group this week with hopes he can get back on the field by Sunday. If not, Luke Schoonmaker, Brevyn Spann-Ford and fullback Hunter Luepke would likely take the bulk of the reps.
