Cowboys WR CeeDee Lamb faces a different challenge vs Patriots
The Dallas Cowboys must put a disastrous Week 3 performance behind them quickly. This would be true in any situation as the run defense was nowhere to be found last weekend and the offense struggled in the red zone but it's especially true against a team coached by Bill Belichick. The New England Patriots might […]
The Dallas Cowboys must put a disastrous Week 3 performance behind them quickly. This would be true in any situation as the run defense was nowhere to be found last weekend and the offense struggled in the red zone but it's especially true against a team coached by Bill Belichick.
The New England Patriots might not look like the eternal AFC contender they used to be but their defense is still legit. They even held the same Miami Dolphins team that dropped 70 on the Denver Broncos to 24 points in Week 2.
As always, the Patriots play a hybrid defense that seems to change from week to week as Belichick taps into the deep football knowledge he's been gaining since he was a kid.
And even if there are some talent questions about Belichick's defense, he's got enough pieces to do what he's always been known for: Taking away what you do best. This year, one of those pieces is rising rookie cornerback Christian Gonzalez, who has excelled against top-tier wide receivers like Tyreek Hill, and Garrett Wilson. He had an ups-and-downs game versus the Philadelphia Eagles' duo of A.J. Brown, and DeVonta Smith in Week 1 but still handled himself pretty well.
Now he gets the Cowboys' CeeDee Lamb. Or at least that's what Belichick is hinting at days before the matchup. For the most part, Gonzalez has indeed traveled with the opponents' top receivers. The big question versus Lamb, however, is that Gonzalez has spent only 17 snaps in the slot (where CeeDee plays the most) against 164 out wide, per PFF. Will he match up against No. 88 at nickel?
Gonzalez has played the fifth-most man coverage snaps during the 2023 season and has done a good job of it. He did a good job of playing pressed up against the Dolphins' speedy receivers and didn't give up much. Considering the New York Jets failed to limit CeeDee by playing a heavy dose of zone coverage, one would assume the Patriots will want their best man on Lamb.
The problem? No. 88 is good and getting better. This season, Lamb has caught 5-of-6 targets versus man coverage for 96 yards.
This battle alone should get fans hyped up for Week 4. In 2023, we don't get too many of those classic WR-CB battles anymore. They've become somewhat of a rarity. If Gonzo shadows Lamb for most of the game, we should be in for a good one.
It's a good opportunity for CeeDee to make a statement you'd want from a top-tier WR1 versus a rookie. There will be no room for mental errors like the costly one he had versus the Arizona Cardinals where he straight up gave up on the play mid-route.
In Belichick-style, CeeDee and the Cowboys are on to the Patriots.
Bill Belichick spent five full minutes praising the Cowboys, here’s what he said
No detail like Belichick’s.
