Lamb to slaughter: Cowboys find killer instinct by targeting top weapon

Year 1 of the Mike McCarthy offense has had its fair share of bumps, earning criticism both externally and internally. The most public of internal criticisms came from CeeDee Lamb, amidst the Week 5 loss to San Francisco. The Dallas Cowboys’ star WR was frustrated by his role on the team and let his displeasure known rather publicly.

The Cowboys responded in Week 6, prior to their bye, feeding Lamb the ball to the tune of seven receptions for 117 yards in their 20-17 win over the Chargers. If Week 8 against the Rams is any indication, it’s a something that may be permanently ingrained in McCarthy’s mind. Lamb finished the 43-20 victory with 12 receptions for 158 yards and two touchdowns.

Behind the Lamb-led offense, the Cowboys took a 33-9 lead into the half. Even with Los Angeles’ ensuing third quarter touchdown, the game was well in hand and the Dak Prescott-to-Lamb connection was largely to credit.

Lamb averaged 0.89 EPA/play receiving on Sunday. His 12.5 total EPA earned was second only to Prescott. He even added a run that produced 0.79 EPA on its own.

It wasn’t a flawless effort but it was extremely efficient and opened opportunities up for others in the second half.

For the first time since a disastrous 2020 season in which Prescott was lost for the year, the Cowboys found themselves outside the top-10 in offensive rankings.

They went into their bye week with a renewed sense of confidence, though, following the win in L.A. Lamb proved to be their biggest playmaker on offense, and the key to unlocking McCarthy’s passing attack. But would their lessons learned in Los Angeles stay learned or was it destined to be forgotten?

The immediate results are certainly hope inspiring.

Over the past two games, Lamb has averaged 9.5 receptions, 137.5 yards and a touchdown. It’s a pace many would be thrilled to see continued and puts Lamb on level ground with the NFL’s top tier of pass catchers.

Great offenses find ways to get the ball to their best players. Motion, formations, and route combinations are all ways to free up players who have otherwise been locked down by the opposing defense. And make no mistake, opposing defenses will try to lock down Lamb.

Per Next Gen Stats, Lamb is one of just four WRs over the past two seasons with multiple receptions on five different routes. It speaks to his ability to run different routes and his ability to make plays. He has no obvious limitations.

Lamb’s growth in 2023 is proof the Cowboys offense is continuing to grow as well. While Lamb deserves credit for his performance, it’s the gameplan that’s ultimately responsible for giving him the opportunities.

Kudos all around.

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Story originally appeared on Cowboys Wire