CHARLOTTE, NC — George Pickens is even better than advertised. One could stop penning this article after creating that sentence but, unfortunately, the Dallas Cowboys weren't able to capitalize on his explosive 168-yard outing against the Carolina Panthers, in conjunction with All-Pro quarterback Dak Prescott, losing to fall to 2-3-1 on the season.
Because of the latter, Pickens is forced into the bittersweet feeling of not being able to enjoy his record-setting dominance against the Panthers — being the first Cowboys' player since the NFL merger to score six touchdowns in his first six games in Dallas since Dez Bryant.
Ever the consummate team player, Pickens is rightfully stuck on the loss.
"It's disheartening," he said. "Because I definitely want to get the dub first — over anything."
The hurdle was certainly enjoyable, though.
"I've kind of been hurdling for a while – since college, high school – and I knew the guy was going to go low. I am a tall guy, and the rest is history," Pickens said of the first quarter highlight.
He then expressed what the team's message has to be after the trek to Carolina, two of their three losses being by a combined seven points, and with an opportunity to flip either, or both, of the two into victories in the waning moments of each respective outing.
"Definitely finishing," said Pickens. "I know I always talk about resiliency, but that's part of finishing, so definitely finishing.
He then addressed the defensive struggles, turning it back onto an offense that went three-and-out on what turned out to be its final possession of a 27-27 tie with six minutes and 14 seconds remaining in regulation — the Panthers burning the remainder of the clock before kicking a game-winning field goal.
"I wouldn't say [there's] extra pressure," he added. "I'll just say more finishing and more resiliency. It doesn't matter if we were out there by ourselves, we definitely want to put up as much of a fight as we can and try to help the defense. That's how you help the defense.
Up next comes another all-important NFC East matchup, when Dan Quinn and the Washington Commanders travel to take on the Cowboys at AT&T Stadium, the scene of a 40-40 tie with the Green Bay Packers in Week 4. A more formidable opponent than the Panthers they just dropped a game to, the hope is that All-Pro wide receiver CeeDee Lamb will return to add that much more firepower to what Pickens has become for Prescott and the offense.
That, of course, won't directly resolve the issues on the defensive side of the ball, but it does give the offense a better chance of surviving a shootout — Lamb having been sidelined with a high ankle sprain since the Week 3 loss to the Chicago Bears; but the Cowboys' offense still able to average roughly 35 points per game in his absence.
An added boost might also come from Jonathan Mingo, who is expected to be activated from injured reserve this week.
"Yeah, it's definitely gonna be an increase with having [Lamb] back," Pickens said of Lamb. "Coming back with the playmaking ability he's got — it's gonna help us — [as well as KaVontae Turpin] and other guys, too."
