I think CeeDee Lamb is one of the best receivers in the NFL, and I'm glad the Cowboys signed him to a long-term deal. But with that said, why is he seemingly disappearing in the third and fourth quarters? The difference in his numbers between the first half and second half are surprising. – Bob Wilkins/Santa Fe, NM
Kurt: You're right, the differences are startling. Through five games, Lamb has been targeted 25 times in the first half and hauled in 21 receptions for 353 yards and two touchdowns. That's an impressive 84 percent catch rate for an average of 16.8 yards per grab. In the second half, though, those numbers plummet to just four catches off 16 targets for 25 yards and no scores, marks of 25 percent and 6.3 yards, respectively. So what's going on? Yes, there have been times when maybe Lamb's frustration gets the best of him, but I think the real reason is opposing defenses are just dead set on not letting the Cowboys' best playmaker beat them. Consequently, there is always a safety, linebacker, ball boy, whoever making sure the cornerback is getting some help in coverage. But don't be fooled. The numbers certainly don't mean that Lamb isn't playing well later in games. Did you see him block two Steelers defenders downfield on Jake Ferguson's big catch-and-run? If Lamb isn't making the plays himself, he's opening up the field for others (see Jalen Tolbert). In the end, I think things will balance out and all will be just fine. He'll get his yards; he'll get his points. And if he's unable to, hopefully his teammates will.
Nick: It really doesn't make sense at all. Even though we're still somewhat early in the season, five games is not a small sample size. And with that, the games have been different. There have been some blowout losses in which the Cowboys needed to throw the ball to get back in the game. In the Ravens loss, the Cowboys made a big comeback and it didn't even involve CeeDee. In some of these last two wins, where controlling the ball is imperative, they still can't get him involved. I'm sure the defenses are changing coverages, but that was happening last year as well and it didn't seem to matter. While you could make the argument that perhaps he's still in his own training-camp mode since he missed camp and possibly he's getting tired in the second half, I'm just not buying that. He was in great shape when he got here and I don't think that's the case. I think it's probably a little more circumstantial right now and he will get on track in the second half sooner than later.
