There have been many question marks surrounding the Cowboys' choice to thrust CeeDee Lamb into the number one receiver spot, but the 23-year-old has shown he can be more than that for America's Team.
After the season-opening debacle at home to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, the knives were out for number 88. The former Oklahoma Sooner's first game as the number one wide receiver of the most prominent sports organization on the planet did not go to plan.
In a 19-3 loss, Lamb had just two catches for 29 yards on 11 targets. Not exactly wide receiver one stats. To say that the media backlash from that game was harsh would be an understatement. It was also the first game of the year, and the Dallas offense was missing two other weapons in Michael Gallup and James Washington.
For many, Lamb's ability to lead the Cowboys' offense took a huge hit when Dak Prescott was ruled out for the foreseeable future with a hand injury.
We have known previous 88s to take over games and step up in big moments. Against the Bengals, Lamb did just that. Seven catches for 75 yards on 11 targets showed he could lead the team, but it was just one game. People needed to see more, despite his 1,102 receiving yard season last year.
Cowboys RB Ezekiel Elliott: "CeeDee [Lamb] has that 88 on for a reason. CeeDee is a superstar. He had a hell of a game. He had that one drop early, but he responded and had that big drive, that big touchdown catch. CeeDee is a hell of a player, and he's only going to get better."
— Michael Gehlken (@GehlkenNFL) September 27, 2022
But his mental strength and ability to fight through adversity shone through on Monday Night Football against the Giants. After Cooper Rush dialed up the launch codes on a perfectly executed play-action pass, Lamb was roaming free in the secondary.
With not a soul near him for 10 yards, Rush threw a dime and hit Lamb in the hands, only for the 23-year-old to drop what could have been a touchdown. The outpouring of anger and frustration from Cowboys fans on social media was incredible.There was a chorus of “not good enough for a WR1” and the like. But from then on, the young receiver showed his worth, none more so than in the last quarter, when it is where players' reputations are made.
People rightfully made a big deal about CeeDee Lamb's touchdown catch against the Giants, but this was his play of the game imo.
Fourth down, desperately needing to get something going, he stepped up big-time and held on.
He is him. WR1.
(via @NFL) pic.twitter.com/2olavIMy9u
— RJ Ochoa (@rjochoa) September 27, 2022
Facing a 1st and goal with the scores tied at 13-all and only eight minutes left, Lamb produced what can only be described as an out-of-this-world catch. Rush threw in his direction, and Lamb, who only needed one hand, reached out and hauled it in, somehow managing to keep both feet inbounds as well.
Not to mention his clutch fourth-down catch to keep the drive alive which would lead to his touchdown catch.
It had many questioning about which catch was better—his effort against Minnesota last season or this one. Let's not forget that Rush threw an absolute dime and placed it so that only Lamb could reach it, and his receiver did. Clutch.
Great throw, better catch.
CeeDee Lamb spells 'atone' with one hand.pic.twitter.com/lZB4odx4Em
— Mike Leslie (@MikeLeslieWFAA) September 27, 2022
Having the number 88 on your back in Dallas is a big deal, and there are huge shoes to fill, but after a rough start, CeeDee Lamb showed that he has what it takes to do the number proud.
