The New Orleans Saints aim to start 2-0 for the second year in a row. The Saints put on a good show for the hometown fans in the season opener. After dominating the Carolina Panthers, the team hits the road to face the Dallas Cowboys.

This will be a much bigger test for the team. This isn't to write off what they did against Carolina. Did anyone expect the Saints to win in Week 1 like that? No. That performance does still mean something, but a win here would send a statement through the NFL.

Carolina doesn't have a Micah Parsons, Ceedee Lamb or Dak Prescott. The Saints have to deal with these players on Sunday. This means Alontae Taylor, Pauslon Adebo and Trevor Penning have to be at the top of their games.

Parsons and Lamb make up two of the biggest matchups in the game. If the Cowboys win both of those battles, that could be the death blow for New Orleans.

These are the five biggest matchups to watch in Week 2:

Cowboys LDE Micah Parsons vs. Saints RT Trevor Penning

This may the single most consequential matchup of the game. Parson primarily rushes against the right tackle. Last year, he rushed the passer from that side on 67.9% of passing downs, and that number dropped to just 56% in Week 1. The Saints should send help in obvious passing situations. Run blocking is where Penning could get the best of Parsons. His physicality should bode well in this element.

Saints nickel CB Alontae Taylor vs. Cowboys slot WR CeeDee Lamb

CeeDee Lamb spends more time in the slot than outside; he ran 20 of his 29 routes there in Week 1. Unless Marshon Lattimore is healthy and the Saints want him shadowing Lamb, Taylor will draw this assignment more frequently than anyone else in man coverage. The last time Taylor had to go toe-to-toe with an elite receiver was against Davante Adams as a rookie. Here’s to hoping for a repeat.

Saints OC Klint Kubiak vs. Cowboys DC Mike Zimmer

Klint Kubiak’s sole year as an offensive coordinator was under the leadership of Mike Zimmer in Minnesota. It’s likely that helps Kubiak more than Zimmer. Kubiak left Minnesota and went to San Francisco. Spending a year with Kyle Shanahan can change an offensive mind. Because of this, he could have a better grip on Zimmer’s tendencies than Zimmer would have Kubiak’s.

Saints WR Chris Olave vs. Cowboys CB Trevon Diggs

Olave wasn’t heavily involved in the passing attack in Week 1. It would be shocking if that doesn’t change in this matchup. He will be targeted more. Diggs recorded an interception in his first game back from an ACL injury. Turnovers are his trademark, so there’s always a risk in throwing his direction. Olave’s route running can give him separation, but on time throws will be the most important part of this matchups.

Saints RDE Chase Young vs. Cowboys LT Tyler Guyton

There's going to be a rotation at defensive end, but Cameron Jordan is typically going to line up in front of the right tackle Terence Steele. That means the rookie Guyton is going to see a lot of Young and Granderson, who both possess good burst at the snap of the ball. Young had 6 pressures a week ago and Granderson is the team's lead guy. Guyton is a rookie going into his second game. The Saints have to find ways to affect Dak Prescott and not allow him to comfortably look for receivers.

This article originally appeared on Saints Wire: 5 matchups to watch that'll decide Saints vs. Cowboys