Cowboys WR CeeDee Lamb made Jets pay for disrespectful mistake
The Dallas Cowboys offense had a big day against one of the best defenses in the NFL. Dak Prescott fought off the New York Jets' pressure with quick and efficient passing, most of which was directed to CeeDee Lamb, who got seven first downs on Sunday. Lamb caught 11 passes for 143 yards in 13 […]
The Dallas Cowboys offense had a big day against one of the best defenses in the NFL. Dak Prescott fought off the New York Jets' pressure with quick and efficient passing, most of which was directed to CeeDee Lamb, who got seven first downs on Sunday.
Lamb caught 11 passes for 143 yards in 13 targets, a remarkable feat in and of itself. But it's not just that. The Cowboys' WR1 did it without Brandin Cooks on the field, the veteran who was brought in mostly to take pressure off of No. 88.
Looking back on it, the Jets' strategy versus Lamb will be criticized by many as a disrespectful mistake. According to Next Gen Stats, 10 of 11 catches by CeeDee came versus zone coverage. Those catches were good for 130 yards.
Considering the Jets have a very talented secondary led by cornerback Sauce Gardner, who has quickly established himself as one of the best players at his position, one would've assumed Robert Saleh's defense would adjust and have somebody on Lamb.
Usually, Gardner doesn't shadow receivers. Instead, he stays on his side of the field and works on the outside. Even still, with Lamb being targeted so often and the Cowboys playing Michael Gallup and Jalen Tolbert behind him, many will suggest bracketing Lamb was the way to go.
"I don't know," Lamb told reporters after the game. "If they do have somebody traveling with me, they'll be mighty tired because I do a lot of motion. Whatever their (defensive coordinator) decides, we'll be happy with it."
Although he makes a good point, that sure sounds like a better idea than approaching him with zone coverage all day long. Per PFF, Lamb was targeted three times versus Gardner. To put it in perspective, that's the same amount of times he was targeted against linebacker C.J. Mosley. Not adjusting to that is as silly as it's disrespectful. But of course, it also speaks volumes about CeeDee's evolution as a receiver.
Even still, Lamb's comments are proof of what Cowboys fans hoped to see with Mike McCarthy taking over the offense: Little changes are going a long way. In this particular case, it's how McCarthy's play-calling is putting the offense's best weapon in a position to succeed.
"He's done a great job of moving me around," CeeDee explained. "Putting me in different spots, motioning me, keeping the defense guessing. You can't really guess where I'm going to be. I can run all day all around the field, just giving that accessibility to Mike, he has the upper hand."
Fortunately, Cooks' injury isn't considered to be long-term. But if opponents get a version of the Cowboys without him again, I have a feeling we'll see a very different game plan to limit CeeDee.
Cowboys should build on unusual pregame strategy after winning vs Jets
It worked like a charm.
Featured image via Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports
