Coming off of a resounding win on the road in Cleveland, the Dallas Cowboys will return to Texas for their 2024 home opener against the New Orleans Saints.
New Orleans poses many threats in different forms, especially after witnessing them demolish their division rival Carolina Panthers by the score of 47-10 last week. There are some key matchups that will determine who comes out on top in this game.
Here are three key matchups that the Cowboys will have their eyes on. The results of these key matchups will have a direct impact on the final score, and among them are huge expectations for a rookie cornerback to perform again.
Terence Steele vs Cam Jordan
Somehow, and it seems without warning, RT Terence Steele is being considered the “weakest” link on the Cowboys’ offensive line. Steele, a 7th round pick from Texas Tech, was on an upward career trajectory before an ACL tear in October 2022 put a hard stop on his development.
Like WR Michael Gallup, the ACL tear has changed the way Steele plays, and he has yet to return to the trajectory that prompted the Cowboys to reward him with a contract extension.
This week, Steele will face a savvy veteran that is often compared to the Cowboys’ own savvy veteran, DeMarcus “Tank” Lawrence. The Saints’ version of Tank is Cam Jordan, who, in his 14th season as a pro, has not slowed down much.
Jordan has 117.5 career sacks to his name. He is a bull rush pass rusher who is also stout against the run. His impact versus the Carolina Panthers in week 1 was minimal. He recorded just one tackle on the day, but he also only played 27 snaps.
The Saints are unlikely to hold a 37 point lead versus the Cowboys, so the battle between Steele and Jordan will likely be closer to 50 plays. Keeping Cam Jordan out of the backfield and away from Dak Prescott will be a key matchup in the game.
Luke Schoonmaker vs the Saints’ LB Corps
Star TE Jake Ferguson is listed as doubtful for this Sunday’s game, and the debut of TE John Stephens Jr. will again be delayed as he deals with a hamstring issue.
The next-man-up mentality throws second year TE Luke Schoonmaker into the fire versus one of the most productive linebacker corps in the NFL. New Orleans, in their 4-3 defense, field linebackers Pete Werner, Demario Davis, and Willie Gay.
Davis is the thumper in the run game, but is also adept at rushing the passer from all areas of the field, as evidenced by his week 1 sack of Panthers’ QB Bryce Young.
Werner is the player that the Saints trust to run freely through the defense tracking down ball-carriers and handling pass catchers that drag across the field. I’ve even seen him carry routes deep into the secondary with some success.
Willie Gay is a Super Bowl winner with the Kansas City Chiefs, and he brings a championship pedigree to the locker room. He also brings speed and decisiveness on the field, with the added ability of rushing the passer.
At some point, Schoonmaker will find himself needing to block one of those three linebackers, and will also find himself matched up against either of the three when he runs out for pass routes. Schoonmaker’s ability to win the matchup versus the linebackers will be key to a victory.
Caelen Carson vs Rashid Shaheed
Flipping over to the defensive side of the ball, the spotlight will again be on rookie CB Caelen Carson to perform. He didn’t shy away from the pressure last week, limiting Browns’ WR Amari Cooper to just 16 yards receiving on two receptions.
However, dealing with the route running of Cooper is not the same as dealing with the pure straight line speed of Saints’ WR Rashid Shaheed, who displayed that speed last week with a 59-yard touchdown reception from QB Derek Carr.
Shaheed has a knack for sneakily speeding by flat-footed defenders to get open down the field. Carson will need to stay on his toes and expect a double move to try and get him to bite on a slant or out pattern before Shaheed turns on the jets.
Since DC Mike Zimmer plays primarily zone coverage, the chance for Carson to jam Shaheed at the line is slim when he’s lined up seven yards off the ball in coverage.
I have confidence that the rookie will come out and put the seat belt on Shaheed like he did to Cooper. Limiting Shaheed’s effectiveness will be key to a victory.