Cowboys vs. Saints: Each team’s X-factor player for Week 2

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Who are the most important players for Dallas and New Orleans this week in your opinion?

The Dallas Cowboys are presented with a great opportunity on Sunday afternoon. Following a dominant Week 1 outing, the Cowboys head home for their first game in front of their fans with a chance to start the season 2-0. With it being a long season, starting the year off on the right foot will be vitally important.

In order for them to do so, Dallas will need several of their stars and depth players to step up as they take on a confident New Orleans Saints team fresh off of a dominant win themselves.

With a lot of different factors set to play a part in the outcome, let’s take a look some x-factors for both teams that will go a long way in determining the outcome of the matchup.

Dallas Cowboys X-factor: CeeDee Lamb

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Despite missing all of the offseason and signing his new deal mere days before Week 1, CeeDee Lamb stepped out on the field and reminded us once again why he is worth every penny. He only has five receptions for 61 yards but his big play ability is still evident, and it’s clear he’s ready for another big season in 2024.

However, more specifically focused on Week 2, Lamb may be in store for a massive showing due to some advantageous matchups. As it currently stands Saints’ star cornerback Marshon Lattimore has missed practiced all week and looks to be real doubtful for this week’s game.

If that’s the case, look for Dak Prescott to exploit whoever lines up across from Lamb, early and often. It’s a plan they have deployed on several occasions last season, and with New Orleans potentially at a disadvantage, it could be an x-factor type of performance from Lamb this week.

New Orleans Saints X-factor: Landon Young

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We already seen last week what the Cowboys can do against backup offensive linemen, and with rookie Taliese Fuaga very iffy for this weeks game, we may get to see it once again.

Fuaga has been absent from practice this week with a back injury, which could force backup tackle Landon Young into action. Young has started seven games in his four year career, as well as appearing in 40 games during that time. He has experience, but does he have the talent to stop a group that sacked Deshaun Watson six times last week? That remains to be seen.

We’ve seen poor offensive line play derail games quickly, and with Micah Parsons and Co. are hoping to have that type of impact on Sunday, setting up a true x-factor situation.