The NFL can be ruthless when it comes to pressure on players, especially when you’re the quarterback with the richest contract in NFL history, or a star wide receiver fresh off holding out for the second-highest contract at your position. Just ask Dak Prescott and CeeDee Lamb. With six weeks behind them, both players are under intense scrutiny for their implementationon the field. And they’re the first to admit—it hasn’t been great.
In an honest reflection, Prescott described his performance so far as "average," which is far from where he, the Dallas Cowboys organization, or the fans want him to be. Lamb, on the other hand, has faced his own set of criticisms, some coming from none other than Hall of Fame quarterback Troy Aikman. Aikman didn’t hold back when he pointed out that Lamb’s route-running has been subpar, even labeling it "lazy." Lamb’s response? Short and to the point: “Got to be better overall.” But when pressed further on Aikman's assessment, he dodged with a simple, “Next question.”
As the Cowboys emerge from their bye week, the spotlight turns to Sunday night’s showdown against the San Francisco 49ers. It’s a big stage, and for good reason. The Cowboys have lost their last three matchups against the 49ers, and none of those losses have been particularly close. The last time Dallas secured a win in San Francisco? 2017. The pressure is mounting, and if the Cowboys hope to turn the tide, it’s going to hinge on Prescott and Lamb rekindling the chemistry that’s been noticeably absent this season.
Some would argue that Lamb’s contract holdout—while a necessary part of NFL business these days—cut into valuable practice time with Prescott. The timing of that holdout may have disrupted the rhythm they needed to build before the season. But not everyone agrees that this missed practice time is to blame for the recent struggles. Jerry Jones, the Cowboys’ owner and general manager, was notably dismissive of the impact of the missed reps, confident that Prescott and Lamb would hit their stride once the season began. Unfortunately, so far, it’s been more static than a smooth melody.
Prescott himself acknowledged the potential impact of Lamb’s absence from camp, but he’s not leaning on it as an excuse. “You can call it an excuse or whatever,” Prescott said, “but it just goes into, right, as I said, being consistent. Whether it be my read or his route, then us—communication up front—but communication there.” The missed practice time has forced them to work harder in-season to sync up, making every practice and meeting session more critical than ever.
In an effort to turn things around, the two took advantage of the bye week to work on their game, squeezing in film study and route practice. Between Prescott getting engaged and Lamb jetting off for some time away, they managed to find some time to sit down together and iron out some kinks.
One undeniable factor is the attention Lamb commands on the field. There’s no questioning his talent—defenses sure aren’t. Opponents are throwing double coverage at him, often assigning both a cornerback and a safety to keep him contained. Corners jam him hard at the line of scrimmage, and in zone coverages, defenders constantly keep eyes on him. This focus on Lamb doesn’t have much to do with the hefty contract he signed. It’s all about his undeniable talent and the threat he poses.
Looking at the numbers from last season, Lamb was a force to be reckoned with. He led the league in receptions with 135, finished second in receiving yards with 1,749, and racked up 1,862 total yards from scrimmage. It was a career year that had fans and analysts buzzing.
Fast forward to this season, and things are different. Lamb still ranks 10th in yards with 467, which isn’t bad considering the challenges. But in other key stats, he’s dropped. He’s tied for 20th in receptions (32) and sits at 24th in total yards from scrimmage (504). The defense’s chess match to contain him has worked—so far. Lamb, though, remains unfazed. “It’s fun seeing different movements, being in different places seeing different alignments and assignments and seeing different guys guard me,” he said. “Just attracting as many eyes as I can obviously getting open in the process and running my routes.”
Yet, that’s where the problem lies—those routes. Aikman’s criticism wasn’t without merit. His “lazy” comment wasn’t just a jab; it reflected a real issue with Lamb’s ability to break free from the tight coverage he’s been facing. Even Jerry Jones didn’t dismiss Aikman’s remarks entirely, admitting that Aikman, given his experience, has some credibility in his assessment.
Prescott, however, downplayed the drama, noting that Aikman is simply doing his job, stirring the pot as part of his role as an analyst. “Once again, a job he knows is going to create a ruckus,” Prescott said. “The last thing I’m allowed to do is create division inside this building.”
Of course, the Lamb situation isn’t the only concern for the Cowboys’ offense. Prescott has his own struggles to contend with. His completion percentage sits at 63.8%, below his career average of 66.8%. He’s also thrown eight touchdowns but has matched those with six interceptions. Turnovers, especially in the red zone, have been a killer. Prescott has committed three turnovers inside the opponent’s 20-yard line, mistakes that have been costly for the Cowboys.
The entire bye week seemed to reinforce one glaring fact for both Prescott and Lamb: the time for excuses is over. They know they need to step up if the Cowboys are going to avoid letting this season slip away. Prescott was candid about his self-assessment. “I’d say I’d play average, and it isn’t good enough right now by any means,” he admitted. “It’s never been good enough for me. I can’t say that I’ve been happy or excited after any of these games that I’ve played. But understanding, there’s more plays out there for me to make, whether it’s in the design or not. I’m capable of it.”
The pressure’s on, and all eyes are on Prescott and Lamb as they look to reignite their connection and lead the Cowboys back to winning ways. Sunday’s game against the 49ers will be a litmus test—one that could set the tone for the rest of the season. Will they rise to the occasion, or will the struggles continue? Only time will tell, but one thing is clear: the margin for error is shrinking.
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