(Editor's Note: Who doesn't love lists? Throughout training camp, 'High 5' will provide a top five list for many of the critical topics surrounding the Dallas Cowboys 2025 season.)
From four drops on Thursday night, to getting extra reps on the jugs machine Friday, Ceedee Lamb's week has dominated NFL headlines across the country. He finished with 110 receiving yards on seven receptions in the Week 1 loss to Philadelphia, but the topic of conversation for both Lamb and Cowboys fans everywhere were the passes he couldn't hold on to.
"The opportunity that presented itself, obviously I fell short of it a couple times," Lamb said. "I know I'll be prepared for that moment…I know what it is, I know what to do. Continue to keep the main thing, the main thing."
Lamb's accountability has resulted in some buzz this week about his ability to bounce back against the Giants this week. Despite an up-and-down performance, confidence in Lamb has never wavered, especially not from quarterback Dak Prescott. Even sending some texts of encouragement after Lamb reached out to QB1 after the game.
"Ceedee is a true pro," Prescott said speaking to Lamb. "I'm not going to stop throwing you the ball…I'm not going to lose confidence in him. So don't worry, keep approaching it the way you approach it, and you're going to have a bounce back."
He has good reason for such confidence. Throughout Lamb's career, he has showcased an innate ability to bounce back after significant struggles the week before. Not always from an individual or statistical letdown, but from any level of adversity faced previously.
Here are five times where Lamb has bounced back from adversity, and lead the Cowboys offensive attack in the following week or stretch of time:
5. September 20, 2020: Week 2 vs. Rams- The first game of Lamb's career was a quick realization that he could be a valuable piece of the Cowboys franchise. His stats were serviceable with five receptions for six targets and 59 yards. However, he was stopped short of the line to gain in a crucial 4th-and-short situation in the fourth quarter.
His next week, Lamb diced up the Atlanta Falcons for six receptions and 106 receiving yards in a classic 40-39 win at AT&T Stadium. An early representation of his ability to bounce back after a disappointing result the week before.
4. September 26, 2024: Week 4 at Giants - During the Cowboys Week 3 loss to Baltimore, Lamb was caught by the FOX television cameras having an emotional outburst and a heated conversation with both Dak Prescott and Zack Martin on the sideline. He apologized for his body language and behavior during a frustrating game where he finished with 67 yards and a fumble in the red zone.
Lamb responded just four days later during a Thursday Night Football matchup with the Giants, finishing with seven catches on eight targets for 106 total yards and a touchdown in Dallas' 20-15 win. The performance marked his first 100-yard game from scrimmage in 2024.
3. December 9, 2024: Week 14 vs. Bengals - When the season was hanging by a thread, Lamb was arguably the best player on the field in most games. However, in a late-season matchup with the New York Giants, Lamb was held to just two receptions on six targets for 39 yards. It was his first game with less than three receptions in a full game since the 2022 season opener.
Lamb's response was three-straight 90-plus yard performances from Week 14 through Week 16. The streak began with six catches for 93 yards and a touchdown in a Monday Night Football matchup with the Cincinnati Bengals. While the game ended in a loss, Lamb's performance had Dallas on the doorstep of a massive win to keep their playoff hopes alive. Then he followed it up with back-to-back 100-yard performances to bring his 2024 season to an end.
2. September 26, 2022: Week 3 at Giants - Early in the 2022 season, the Cowboys were without Dak Prescott and handed the keys to the offense to Cooper Rush at quarterback. It was also just the third opportunity for Lamb to showcase his "WR1" abilities without Amari Cooper on the roster. In the Week 3 matchup, Dallas was leading New York by three in the final five minutes of the first half. Rush dropped back and delivered a long ball right to the hands of Lamb who couldn't hold on and dropped a nearly certain 52-yard touchdown pass.
Instead of waiting a week to bounce back, Lamb answered with a breakout performance in for the rest of the game. Reeling in 64 yards and a decisive touchdown in the second half, leading the Cowboys to a 23-16 win on the road. He'd then go on to have a breakout season by setting career-bests in nearly every statistical category as the Cowboys' leading receiver.
1. October 16, 2023: Week 6 at Chargers - Some Cowboys fans haven't forgotten Ceedee Lamb's blunt postgame statements in Week 5 of the 2023 season after a frustrating 42-10 loss to the San Francisco 49ers. It was a disappointing effort from the offense and Lamb was targeted only five times for four receptions and 49 yards. All resulting in a concerning loss to the same team that eliminated the Cowboys in the playoffs in 2022.
Lamb quickly apologized for his comments and body language during the loss and chalked it up to being an intense competitor. That showed up in Week 6 of 2023, and the three weeks after, as Lamb recorded a historic four game stretch that sparked a record-breaking season. He caught all seven targets for 117 yards against Los Angeles in a 20-17 Week 6 win. Then followed that performance with an NFL record for consecutive games with at least 10 catches and 150 yards receiving with three. Lamb caught 12 passes for 158 yards against the Rams, followed by 11 catches for 191 yards vs. Philadelphia last week and then 11 catches for 151 against the Giants on Sunday.
