Dallas Cowboys defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer took accountability after the unit allowed 44 points and 432 yards in a Week 2 loss to the New Orleans Saints.

"You know what, really most of the guys I didn't coach up good enough," he said. "It really isn't one spot. There were some things that we didn't do well. We ran under some blocks. We had some perimeter-run force issues. But that's me."

Cowboys edge-rusher Micah Parsons was equally candid when discussing the game on The Edge. He said "the effort was not there" from the defense and saw a clear contrast from Week 1, when Dallas got two interceptions and held the Cleveland Browns in check in a 33-17 win.

You don't have to look far to find criticism or mockery lobbed in Zimmer's direction. The defensive coordinator is always going to hear it when a team is getting its doors blown off by halftime. All five of the Saints' first-half possessions went for touchdowns.

This performance was eerily reminiscent of last year's NFC Wild Card Round, though. On that occasion, Dan Quinn was overseeing the Dallas defense as it did little to stop Jordan Love and the Green Bay Packers.

Singling out Zimmer and ignoring other considerations would be slightly unfair.

The Cowboys host Lamar Jackson, Derrick Henry and the Baltimore Ravens on Sunday in Week 3.

If they get torched for the second straight game, then their defensive issues might go far beyond coaching.