CeeDee Lamb shows what being a leader is all about with message to Cowboys following 116-yard outing
The Dallas Cowboys are 6-8 and though any notion that they're going to the playoffs should inspire a Jim Nora-like reaction, leaders within the locker room believe they have a chance. For players such as CeeDee Lamb, who went off for 116 yards and a touchdown during the Cowboys' 30-14 win over the Carolina Panthers on […]
The Dallas Cowboys are 6-8 and though any notion that they're going to the playoffs should inspire a Jim Nora-like reaction, leaders within the locker room believe they have a chance.
For players such as CeeDee Lamb, who went off for 116 yards and a touchdown during the Cowboys' 30-14 win over the Carolina Panthers on Sunday, it's all about making sure teammates don't get caught up on the outside narrative surrounding them.
Postgame, Lamb explained his mindset, which is exactly the kind of message NFL teams want to hear from their top guys.
"Obviously, momentum is a hell of a feeling, and I feel like it's definitely something we can build on," Lamb told reporters. "What we can do so far is control what we can control. The narrative is going to be what it is, but at the end of the season, we have to finish strong, and you have to start somewhere."
Naturally, a look at the NFC standings suggests the Cowboys are essentially out of the running. They can't win more than nine games given their record. The current three Wild Card teams are already at nine wins minimum. That includes the Washington Commanders at 9-5.
That's why many playoff projection models calculate the Cowboys' odds below 1%. It simply might be too late. But Lamb's mindset is none of it matters anyway unless they keep winning games.
"It's real, very real, I always have belief," Lamb added when asked about the Cowboys' chances of making the postseason. "I don't care how many games we lost; I don't care how many games we won. I just know how much we have to do to finish the season out, and then the rest will take care of itself. So, as for us, we'll see you next week on Sunday night."
While Lamb's message is still unlikely to shift the direction this season is headed in, it says a lot about his growth as a player in terms of leadership.
The actions match the words, too. Lamb has been playing through a painful shoulder injury since Week 9, something that's made evident time and time again upon receiving big hits. On Sunday, former Cowboys safety Xavier Woods put it to the test with a huge boom.
"It's a well-known thing that my shoulder is hurting, so I feel like these guys are definitely trying to put their best hit on me," Lamb said. "Xavier Woods, I played on his team for a couple of years, so I know what he's capable of. It was a good hit by him, but he's going to need to bring a little more."
Lamb had a heck of a performance, going over 100 yards in the first half alone. Early in the game, he did a great job adjusting to Cooper Rush's throws and he took over a drive with three third-down catches and a fantastic touchdown grab going to the ground. All in all, Lamb finished the game with nine catches for 116 yards.
But it's what he's doing and saying off the field what provides even more value to the Cowboys.
Mike McCarthy could take Cowboys’ decision out of their hands by taking another NFL job when his contract expires
Would be a wild scenario for the league.
