Dallas Cowboys Experience Déjà Vu After Saints Victory

Unpacking the Saints' Win Over the Cowboys

FRISCO, Texas — Mike Zimmer has felt this sting before. He remembers it all too well, as a matter of fact, and he referenced it directly shortly after he was rehired as the Dallas Cowboys’ defensive coordinator this offseason. The 'it' in this scenario is the infamous 'Pickle Juice Game,' and those who know, know; what happened at the hands of the New Orleans Saints reignited a trauma within Zimmer.

Defensive Accountability

“I think the biggest thing is, like last week, don't get too high and, this week, don't get too low,” said Zimmer on Monday following the shellacking. “We’ve got a lot of areas that we need to improve in. Obviously, in the NFL, it’s kind of like that — a bunch of ups and downs. Tough people fight through it.”

• Zimmer took full accountability for what his defense put on film
• Watched Derek Carr throw for 243 yards and two touchdowns
• Dallas’ defense struggled to stop the run, echoing past failures

Reflections on the 'Pickle Juice Game'

For those unfamiliar with the infamous 'Pickle Juice Game' in Cowboys’ lore, a very abbreviated history lesson is in order here. On Sept. 3, 2000, the Cowboys hosted the Philadelphia Eagles in Week 1. The Eagles dominated the game, utilizing pickle juice to combat cramping in the Texas heat.

Learning from History

Zimmer has stressed the need for improvement, citing his initial experiences as coordinator during the 'Pickle Juice Game.' If Dallas doesn’t remedy their defense quickly, they'll find themselves in a tough position come 2024.