On Sunday, Dak Prescott made an interception with 52 seconds left in the first half. The Cowboys’ quarterback and his favorite receiver, CeeDee Lamb, weren’t on the same page, but what they both wanted happened often this season.
On the sideline after the play, NBC cameras showed slow-motion video of Lamb saying something to Prescott. Prescott never looked up from his tablet.
Everyone in Dallas-Fort Worth became lip readers this week, debating what Lamb said to Prescott on social media and sports talk radio.
On Friday, Lamb revealed what he said to Prescott.
“Jump ball, four,” Lamb said, calling Prescott by his jersey number. “Jump ball. Found it.”
Lamb was aiming for a jump ball in the back of the end zone. Prescott threw a back-shoulder pass to Lamb, which was picked off by Steelers cornerback Donte Jackson.
“You can’t read lips to save a life,” Prescott said, via John Machota of TheAthletic.com. “It was honestly comical. I look on social media after the game and say CeeDee gave me the word, and I’m like, ‘When?’ I think CeeDee said it best. “That guy is my brother.” We have very high standards for each other.
“I just made a split second(s) of stupid decisions. It’s a shame that you can’t make those things when you have the ball in your hands on every play. That’s one example of trying to do something.”
Lamb has only made one fourth-quarter reception this season (9 yards on the winning drive against the Steelers last week), but is on pace for 1,285 receiving yards and seven touchdowns. He rushed for 1,749 yards and 12 touchdowns last season, earning All-Pro honors.
However, Lamb did not participate in the offseason program and did not participate in training camp or the preseason as he was seeking a contract extension. The Cowboys made him the second-highest paid non-quarterback before the season started.
The time away from the team between the end of last season and the beginning of this season may have affected Lamb’s numbers. The team is also paying more attention to him, especially in the second half.
The Lions arrive on Sunday, giving Lamb a chance to bounce back. Last season in Arlington, he caught 13 of Prescott’s 17 targets for 227 yards and a touchdown, leading Dallas to a 20-19 victory.
“It felt good,” Prescott said. “It’s been a while. I want to get back to that type of form with him. It’s a great opportunity for us to try to build that connection again. It’s a defense that we know well. …Especially that one. If you look back at the game, they will definitely try to take him away. You can see the numbers he was able to produce.
“We have a lot of different ways for him to make the ball stand still and we’re confident in what he can do. But it would be nice to get into that rhythm again. It’s a rare feeling when you’re in that kind of rhythm together.”
