George Pickens' Quiet Night Raises Eyebrows in Cowboys' Loss to Lions
The Dallas Cowboys were hoping for a statement game from George Pickens in Week 14, especially with CeeDee Lamb sidelined for much of the night. Instead, what they got was a performance that left more questions than answers - and not just about the stat sheet.
Pickens finished the night with five catches for 27 yards. For a player with his explosiveness and a bigger role in the offense due to Lamb’s absence, that’s a disappointing line. But the numbers only tell part of the story.
On several plays, Pickens appeared disengaged - not fighting through routes, not attacking the ball in the air, and not showing the kind of urgency that’s expected from a top target in a big game. To make matters worse, he committed a costly facemask penalty that wiped out a significant gain, further stalling an already inconsistent Cowboys offense.
This isn’t the first time Pickens’ effort and discipline have come into question. Back in Pittsburgh, the Steelers dealt with similar issues - mental lapses, untimely penalties, and concerns about his focus.
Dallas took a calculated risk bringing him in, hoping a change of scenery would unlock the full potential of a player who’s shown flashes of brilliance. So far, the results have been mixed.
Cowboys owner Jerry Jones addressed the situation Friday morning, acknowledging Pickens’ underwhelming night but stopping short of criticizing his effort.
“He didn’t have the game that he’s been having,” Jones said. “But effort?
I’d be very careful going there. This guy is explosive with his temperament - and I say that in a positive way.”
Jones pointed to other factors that may have contributed to Pickens’ quiet night, including the Lions’ defensive front, which gave the Cowboys’ offensive line all it could handle. That pressure disrupted Dallas’ rhythm and limited Dak Prescott’s time to operate.
“I thought Dak got some balls out there that should’ve been caught,” Jones added. “Flournoy had a really good night.
He made some outstanding plays. But I really thought it would’ve been Pickens’ grand central.
I’m not disappointed other than the fact that it could’ve helped us win that ballgame.”
Despite the lack of production, Jones made it clear he’s not hitting the panic button when it comes to Pickens.
“No, I’m not at all concerned going forward about Pickens,” Jones said. “I would agree with you, I thought we would have more with him than we did.”
That’s a fair stance to take - for now. Pickens has been a featured part of the offense throughout the season, even with Lamb in the lineup.
The Cowboys have given him opportunities to shine, and for the most part, he’s delivered. But Thursday night was a step backward, both in terms of production and presence.
For a player with a reputation that’s still being rebuilt around the league, every game matters. And with a potential payday looming in 2026, Pickens can’t afford to take nights off - mentally or physically.
Maybe this was just a blip on the radar. Maybe the frustration of a tough game boiled over.
But for a team with playoff aspirations and a front office that’s evaluating every piece of its roster heading into a pivotal offseason, performances like this one don’t just go unnoticed. They get remembered.
The Cowboys believed they were getting a dynamic playmaker when they brought Pickens in. Now, it’s on him to prove that Thursday night was the exception - not the beginning of a troubling trend.