Mike Zimmer has vowed to get the Cowboys defense back on track

In his first game as an NFL defensive coordinator in 2000, Mike Zimmer's unit gave up 201 rushing yards to Duce Staley as the Eagles beat the Cowboys 41-14. It was now known as the “Pickle Juice” game after the Eagles used the liquid in the Texas heat.

Zimmer had a flashback after watching Alvin Kamara total 180 yards from scrimmage with 115 rushing yards in the Saints' 44-19 win on Sunday. New Orleans rushed for 190 yards as a team and averaged 5.8 yards from scrimmage.

“Yes, I have spoken [the defense] For a while,” Zimmer said Monday, via Patrick Walker of the team's website. “We watched movies together. We talked about the things we need to do better, the things I need to do better, and we'll just keep working on it. My first game here as coordinator was the pickle juice game. I saw how to fix it after that.

“If I hadn't fixed themI wouldn't be standing here today.”

Zimmer took responsibility for the Saints' six consecutive touchdowns to open the game, blaming the scheme and disagreeing with Micah Parsons' assessment that it was an effort issue.

“I don't know that's the case,” Zimmer said. “I think we've lined up well. We were trying to move something up front, and they caught us a few times, and while they were moving, I had to do a better job. . . . I said, 'I've been seeing you for over three months, haven't I? I have never seen us in such a practice. I have never seen us [give up] Plays in such practice.' I mean, these guys, usually, they're on point and do everything right. They play very, very hard. They love to compete.

“Again. I didn't allow them to use our strengths, which is being able to get him in some third down situations and passing situations. So I have to do better.”