As the Dallas Cowboys navigate through the first six games of the 2024 season, the narrative surrounding wide receiver CeeDee Lamb has sparked discussions among fans and analysts alike. While many believe Lamb is underperforming compared to his record-setting season in 2023, a closer examination of the stats reveals he’s actually not far off from last year’s performance.
This season, Lamb has recorded 32 catches for 467 yards and two touchdowns. At the same point last year, he had 34 receptions for 475 yards and just one touchdown. The statistics tell a story of consistency, though expectations are understandably higher following his training camp holdout and a lucrative four-year, $136 million extension that places him among the highest-paid receivers in the league.
Cowboys wide receivers coach Robert Prince shed light on the challenges Lamb has faced this season, particularly regarding defensive coverages. “Yeah, there’s probably a little bit more cloud coverage on him, especially on third down,” Prince explained. He noted that defenses are doubling Lamb more frequently, indicating that teams have adjusted their strategies to limit his impact.
Despite the added pressure, Lamb remains focused on winning. “He knows that if he’s doubled, some other guys are getting single coverage,” Prince added. “He just wants to win, and whatever we have to do, that’s what he wants.”
When asked about the possibility of using motion to create separation for Lamb, Prince acknowledged the difficulty. “He wears 88 for every game, so even though we move him around, they can find 88,” he said. “But we have some things that can still defeat double coverage, so we feel pretty good about it.”
Lamb’s impressive performance last season saw him set a Cowboys single-season record with 135 receptions, the sixth-most in NFL history. He also recorded 1,749 receiving yards—another Cowboys record—and ended the season with 12 touchdown receptions.
As the Cowboys look to improve their offensive performance moving forward, they hope Lamb can regain his explosive form and make a significant impact in the upcoming games. With the right adjustments and continued support from his teammates, there’s every reason to believe Lamb will heat up as the season progresses.
