The NFL returned for the 2025 season in a big way on Thursday night. Not only did it feature a marquee matchup between NFC East division rivals the Dallas Cowboys and the Philadelphia Eagles, it also saw an injury and ejection within 6 seconds of the opening kickoff, a weather delay and high-octane offense from both teams… in the first half anyways (the Eagles led the Cowboys 21-20 at the end of the second quarter).
Dak Prescott and CeeDee Lamb lit up the first half with a scorching offensive performance. But when the second half arrived, the fire fizzled — and ultimately froze — as the Cowboys failed to score a single point in a narrow 24-20 loss.
The reasons for the second-half collapse are layered and it’s bad form to cite singular reasons for a loss in a team sport but the spotlight inevitably falls on Lamb’s rollercoaster performance — brilliant, and then brutally costly.
The All-Pro wideout was unguardable early, but he finished the game with four drops, including two on the Cowboys’ potential game-winning drive. To his credit, Lamb didn’t shy away from accountability.
“Man, that was terrible,” Lamb admitted to reporters after the game. “I can’t point fingers at anybody else. I take full accountability and everything else that comes with that. As a player, I’ve prayed for moments like that, and for the ball to come my way. To not come up with it, it stings a little bit.”
Statistically, Lamb still put up strong numbers — 7 receptions for 110 yards on 13 targets — but those four drops proved critical.
Still, given his track record and what he’s meant to this offense, there’s no reason to believe this will be anything more than fuel for his fire.
“Don’t worry about CeeDee Lamb,” said offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer, who was calling plays for the first time as OC. “CeeDee’s going to be fine. What a great player. This was a team defeat, and we own that.”
“We understand where we can go as a football team. I thought guys competed their butts off, but we’re all about winning. We didn’t win tonight, and that’s not good enough.”
Prescott, who completed 21 of 34 passes for 188 yards with no touchdowns and rushed for 3 yards – wasn’t interested in dwelling on the missed opportunities.
“There wasn’t a big, long talk we needed to have,” Prescott said. “He took ownership and accountability. He shut me up in the same sense. It wasn’t just those plays. There are throws I want back. But it’s Game 1, and he’s a guy who’s gonna make those plays. We’re not gonna get down on him or lose confidence in him, by any means.”
For Lamb, the disappointment was personal — but so is the resolve.
“If you think I’m not coming back 80 times harder than this — you’ve got another thing coming,” said the four-time Pro Bowler. “God has a mysterious way of humbling folks, and I did come in with a little bit of a chip on my shoulder. Lesson well learned. I deserve everything that comes with it.”
“…The [drops] down the stretch really hurt me a lot because I’ve prayed for those types of things. But, again, it’s Game 1. I’ll be back. I just hope everybody else is ready.”
For the Cowboys, the Thursday night opener was a tale of two halves — an electric start overshadowed by a frustrating finish. While the loss stings, especially with missed opportunities in the final minutes, the accountability shown by CeeDee Lamb and the confidence voiced by his teammates speak volumes. One game won’t define their season, but how they respond just might. With the Giants headed to AT&T Stadium next, Dallas has a chance to reset, refocus, and prove that Thursday’s stumble was just that — a stumble, not a sign of what’s to come.
Are you glad to hear that in a game full of highs and lows, CeeDee Lamb owns up to costly drops against the Eagles? Do you think he’ll bounce back from his slips in the first game of the season? Let us know in the comments.
