The Dallas Cowboys veteran players showed up big time in the team’s Week 1 matchup with the Cleveland Browns. As Dallas heads into their next game, and their home opener, we have to ask, can these old guys keep it up?
Both offensively and defensively, the Cowboys were boosted by some of their oldest players.
Without their help, it’s hard to see a world where Dallas puts the beat-down on Cleveland in the same way they did. This means that a continuation of these performances is paramount against the Saints in Week 2.
Dallas is a heavy favorite coming into this one, so getting this win and starting 2-0 is a must in the short-term.
With that in mind, let’s talk about three Cowboys veterans that balled out in the season opener and what they need to do against New Orleans to keep the ball rolling in 2024.
DeMarcus Lawrence: Non-Stop Pressure
Simply put, DeMarcus Lawrence ate Deshaun Watson for lunch last Sunday.
The four-time Pro Bowler registered a forced fumble, two sacks, three tackles for loss, four quarterback hits, and five total tackles. Talk about filling up the stat sheet.
“Tank” was legitimately menacing in this game; he essentially stalked Watson for all four quarters, bullied the two backup offensive tackles that Cleveland was relying on, and played off of the attention Micah Parsons was getting.
Heading into Week 2, things are looking awfully promising for the Cowboys defensive line, as the Saints offensive line is going through a wave of injuries.
Rookie 1st-round pick, Left Tackle Taliese Fuaga, has yet to participate in practice this week with a back injury. This means the Saints may have a back-up protecting Derek Carr’s blindside.
To Fuaga’s right, Left Guard Lucas Patrick has been limited in practice with a toe injury.
We’ve seen what Lawrence can do this season against an injured offensive line. If the Saints also can’t find a way to handle him, it might be a long day for Carr.
Ezekiel Elliott: Feed Zeke Returns
For all the off-season fuss from the fanbase about bringing Ezekiel Elliott back to Dallas, the former star running back temporarily put the “washed” allegations to rest; he looked great in Week 1.
After starting the game with a nostalgic hurdle over a Browns defensive back, Elliott finished things off with 40 rushing yards on 10 attempts, one touchdown, and two catches.
Elliott averaged 4.0 yards per carry in the game; he failed to reach that in 10 games with the Patriots last season.
Now, does one good showing in the season opener mean this Cowboys veteran is back to his All-Pro prime? Of course not, but we also can’t deny that it was encouraging.
Whether we like it or not, “Zeke” has a pretty big role in Dallas’ success this season.
For the time being, he is the starting running back, the leader in the room, and one of the most experienced players on the entire roster.
It’s important that he plays well, especially in Week 2 against the Saints. Their rushing defense allowed just 2.8 rushing yards per carry, and allowed two rushing first downs against the Panthers in Week 1.
It may not be easy, but Elliott needs another strong showing against New Orleans to continue his hot start.
Eric Kendricks: Leading the Defense
In a game that saw Parsons, Lawrence, and Trevon Diggs make highlight plays, the best performer may not have been any of them. Rather, it may have been the biggest Cowboys veteran free agent signing of the offseason.
Eric Kendricks dominated on Sunday, and the stat sheet proves that fact.
The former Vikings-Pro Bowler finished the day with nine total tackles, a tackle for loss, two sacks, two quarterback hits, a pass defensed, and an interception. That turnover was the first of the Cowboys’ 2024 season.
In short, it was a phenomenal Dallas debut for Kendricks. The question now is, can he keep it up?
Much like Elliott, there has been push-back against the Kendricks signing because of his age and “decline.”
However, after watching that Week 1 performance, I think it is safe to say the veteran linebacker has something left in the tank. He needs to keep that level of play up this week, as the Saints’ offense is coming off a 47-point performance.
With standout DeMarvion Overshown by his side, the Cowboys linebacker corps might be in very safe hands this year, but they need to show that again in Week 2.