CeeDee Lamb Trending Toward Return, and That’s Big News for George Pickens and the Cowboys’ Playoff Push
The Dallas Cowboys are heading into Sunday night’s showdown with the Minnesota Vikings clinging to postseason hopes by a thread. At 11% playoff odds entering Week 15, according to NFL.com, every snap, every possession, and every player available could make the difference between extending the season or watching it end in disappointment.
That’s why Thursday’s update from Adam Schefter carried real weight in Dallas: CeeDee Lamb practiced in full after suffering a concussion in last week’s loss to the Detroit Lions and is trending toward playing against Minnesota. That’s not just good news-it’s potentially season-saving.
Lamb has been the Cowboys’ go-to guy all year, leading the team with 57 receptions for 865 yards and three touchdowns. His presence on the field changes the entire dynamic of the offense. But while Dallas will obviously welcome back their WR1 with open arms, the biggest beneficiary of Lamb’s return might actually be George Pickens.
Why Lamb’s Return Opens Things Up for Pickens
Let’s rewind to last week. Lamb went down in the third quarter while trying to haul in a leaping grab, and the Cowboys’ offense immediately felt the impact.
Without their top weapon, Detroit’s defense keyed in on Pickens, rolling coverage his way and keeping a safety over the top to limit his deep-ball potential. It was the kind of coverage you’d expect to see against a prime Randy Moss-high praise, but also a clear sign of respect for Pickens’ vertical threat.
The result? A more congested passing attack and fewer clean looks for Pickens.
He still had a shot late in the game, but a play where he appeared to ease up before the ball arrived sparked questions about his effort. Meanwhile, rookie Ryan Flournoy stepped up in a big way, hauling in nine catches for 115 yards and a touchdown.
That performance was encouraging, but it also underscored how much more dangerous this offense can be when all its pieces are on the field.
Earlier this season, Pickens showed he can take over games when Lamb is sidelined. During a three-game stretch in October-when Lamb was out with a high ankle sprain-Pickens posted 19 receptions for 359 yards and four touchdowns.
But as we saw last week, defenses now know what’s coming when Lamb isn’t out there. They load up on Pickens, and the big plays dry up.
With Lamb back in the lineup, opposing secondaries have to pick their poison. Focus too much on Lamb, and Pickens can torch you deep.
Shade coverage toward Pickens, and Lamb will eat you alive underneath and in the intermediate game. That balance is exactly what Dallas needs, especially against a Vikings defense that’s allowing just 172.3 passing yards per game-fourth-best in the league.
A Must-Win Game with Must-Have Players
The stakes couldn’t be higher for the Cowboys. Sunday night is essentially a playoff game in December. And while the defense will have its hands full with Minnesota’s offense, Dallas’s best chance to stay in the fight is to get its own weapons firing on all cylinders.
That means getting Lamb back on the field. It means giving Pickens the space to stretch the field and make the kind of explosive plays that can swing a game. And it might even mean more opportunities for Flournoy, who proved last week that he’s more than just depth-he’s a legitimate contributor.
If Lamb suits up and plays like the receiver we’ve seen all season, Pickens stands to benefit the most. And if those two can get rolling together, the Cowboys just might have enough firepower to keep their playoff hopes alive for another week.
Sunday night in Minneapolis is shaping up to be a prove-it moment-for the Cowboys’ offense, for George Pickens, and for a team still fighting to stay relevant in the NFC playoff picture.