Dallas City News

We move on to Week 2 of the 2024 NFL season, and the Dallas Cowboys will welcome the New Orleans Saints to AT&T Stadium. We spoke with Canal Street Chronicles to get a read on the upcoming game.

Blogging The Boys: After seeing Derek Carr for a while now, how do you rate him as a quarterback? What does he do well, and when does he struggle?

Canal Street Chronicles: Last season, the Saints’ offense struggled as a whole. At times, Carr lacked accountability, as he couldn’t seem to enter a rhythm during his first year in New Orleans. Multiple injuries in 2023, partly due to poor offensive line play, also contributed to his frustrations. He struggled in the red zone, completing 35 of 68 passes (51.47%) inside the 20, and 15 of 34 (44.12%) inside the 10. To close out the season, Carr showed some promise in a dominant win against the Falcons, completing 22 of his 28 attempts for 264 yards and 4 TDs.

I’d say being able to stretch the field is one of Carr’s strong suits. In the 2024 season opener, Carr reminded us why he’s a 4x Pro Bowler. He appeared cool, calm, and collected, making several throws that displayed his arm strength and precise ball placement. Opening up the offense with a potent run game was crucial for Carr’s success, along with the offensive line giving him extended time to read the field. Carr carried a swagger on Sunday that we haven’t seen from him in a long time, and if the Saints can continue to get consistent veteran QB play from the 33-year-old, I envision a successful season for New Orleans.

BTB: Alvin Kamara had a strong game. How much of it was the offensive line, how much Kamara, and how much the Panthers defense?

CSC: Sunday’s game against Carolina was a much-needed bounce-back performance for Kamara following a couple of underwhelming seasons. Saints fans have been eagerly waiting for him to show the world that he still possesses some of the best agility and balance we have ever seen in the game of football, and I’d expect AK to return to form in 2024 under new OC Klint Kubiak’s system.

In regard to the offensive line, they were fantastic, whereas the Panthers’ defense was not. Saints’ C Erik McCoy, one of the more underappreciated players in the NFL today, earned a 90.7 PFF grade on Sunday, contributing to New Orleans’ lethal run game and Kamara’s impact. Work-in-progress OT Trevor Penning and rookie standout OT Taliese Fuaga also showcased their undeniable effort and aggressiveness on a couple of outside zones and screen plays.

BTB: How in the world did a cornerback get three sacks in one game? How does that play into the overall scheme of the Saints defense?

CSC: As much criticism as Dennis Allen has received during his tenure as the Saints’ head coach, he doesn’t receive the warranted credit for being the playcaller of one of the NFL’s top defenses since 2017. Allen has stressed the need for the Saints to generate more pressure on the quarterback and has clearly shown the lengths he will go to create said pressure with creative blitz packages.

During the preseason, we saw stud UDFA CB Rico Payton shoot off the edge like a bullet to secure a sack. On Sunday, Alontae Taylor (4.36-second 40-yard dash) was used in this role, getting to QB Bryce Young in a blur, recording 3 sacks and a 90.2 pass rush grade. After a challenging sophomore season, Taylor has embraced his new role in the slot—having played primarily on the outside in college—and returned to the facility with a refined mindset this summer, aiming to become the best nickel corner in the league.

BTB: Who are the rookies we should know about for the game?

CSC: If Marshon Lattimore isn’t able to suit up due to his hamstring injury, I’d anticipate a heavy workload for rookie CB Kool-Aid McKinstry. On limited snaps (19 coverage), Kool-Aid gave up two receptions on three targets for a total of 40 yards. Without Lattimore, Paulson Adebo would be the corner on Cowboys star WR Ceedee Lamb, with McKinstry opposite to him.

Another rookie to watch out for in Week 2 is UDFA TE Dallin Holker, who returned to practice on Wednesday after suffering an ankle injury during preseason warm-ups. Holker is a dangerous weapon as a pass catcher and could be particularly effective on screens and in the red zone, especially if Foster Moreau isn’t ready to suit up following his concussion. Although Holker was selected by the Birmingham Stallions with the 5th pick in the UFL draft this spring, he ultimately made the Saints’ 53-man roster after an impressive offseason.

BTB: The Cowboys are favored by 6.5 points. Does that seem like a reasonable line, and how do you feel the game will play out?

CSC: Personally, I believe the Cowboys will win this game 34-31. However, I expect the margin of victory to be within 3 points, regardless of who comes out on top. I wouldn’t be surprised if this game turns into a shootout and goes down to the wire. If New Orleans manages to secure the victory over Dallas at AT&T Stadium, it would significantly shift my perspective on the Saints’ ceiling for the 2024 season.

Thanks for the knowledge, Canal Street Chronicles.