After a stellar start to the season, the Dallas Cowboys (1-0) will host the New Orleans Saints (1-0) on Sunday in their home opener at AT&T Stadium. Here’s a look at three Dallas players who could be especially important as the Cowboys aim to extend a 16-game regular-season home winning streak.
TE Luke Schoonmaker
The Cowboys listed starting tight end Jake Ferguson as doubtful to suit up this week with a knee injury, which opens space for several players to take on larger roles, including fullback Hunter Luepke and undrafted rookie tight end Brevyn Spann-Ford. But the player most capable of filling Ferguson’s role as a pass-catcher is Schoonmaker, the 2023 second-round pick.
Ferguson was the Cowboys’ second-leading receiver last year, and quarterback Dak Prescott has a habit of relying on his tight ends in crucial moments. Though he has just eight catches in his NFL career, Schoonmaker could be running pivotal routes Sunday against the Saints.
“There really isn’t going to be any step off,” Schoonmaker said Friday of filling in for Ferguson. “We’re stepping up, and there’s no difference in the game plan.”
RB Rico Dowdle
While Dowdle figures to play a key role carrying the ball Sunday, his pass-blocking skills could also alter the complexion of Sunday’s game. Saints slot cornerback Alontae Taylor piled up a career-high three sacks in New Orleans’ season-opening rout of the Carolina Panthers, which suggests that the Cowboys need to pick up blitzes smoothly this week. Dowdle’s ability to help from the backfield is important in that goal.
DT Mazi Smith
In Week 1, the Cowboys jumped out to a large lead over a Browns team that played without two starting-caliber offensive tackles and star running back Nick Chubb because of injury. As a result, Dallas’ run defense didn’t face a daunting test.
When still-effective running back Alvin Kamara leads the Saints into AT&T Stadium in Week 2 on the heels of a dominant performance, the Cowboys should expect to see a more imposing ground game. So, after a relatively light workload in the opener, run-stuffers like Smith could have a busy Sunday.
CB Trevon Diggs
Diggs this week listened to a reporter ask what challenges Saints wide receiver Chris Olave presents and responded swiftly: “Is that a trick question?”
After beginning his career with consecutive 1,000-yard seasons, Olave claims respect across the NFL. Diggs knows he creates headaches for defense. Even after Olave’s quiet Week 1 performance, the Cowboys view containing the former first-round pick as paramount to their defense’s success — and the process of doing it likely begins with Diggs.