Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott and wide receiver CeeDee Lamb seem out of sync, creating more problems for a team at risk of collapsing after a 1-2 start.
In Dallas' 28-25 Week 3 loss to the Baltimore Ravens (1-2), Fox cameras caught Lamb yelling at Prescott and right guard Zack Martin on the sideline, per Pro Football Talk's Charean Williams. She added the WR skipped his media obligation after the game.
Prescott downplayed the sideline spat in his postgame news conference.
"Reading body language, I'm not really into it. I'm just making sure he doesn't get down on himself," Prescott said."The body language, whether it's good or bad, is irrelevant. It's where his mind is. When you're passionate and expect a lot from yourself, you're going to be that way."
While Prescott insists Lamb's body language doesn't matter, the numbers suggest there should be cause for concern.
In 17 games last season, Lamb averaged 7.9 receptions and 102.9 receiving yards per game. Through three games this season, the three-time Pro Bowler averages 4.3 receptions and 72.7 receiving yards per game.
On Sunday against the Ravens, Lamb had four receptions for 67 yards and lost a fumble in the red zone, with the Cowboys trailing 14-3 and 14:34 left in the second quarter. According to The Athletic's Saad Yousuf, he only had one reception for nine yards in the second half.
The @Ravens rookie Nate Wiggins makes the play!
— NFL (@NFL) September 22, 2024
: #BALvsDAL on FOX
: https://t.co/waVpO8ZBqG pic.twitter.com/kuvaEpnGTr
Prescott's numbers are also down. After finishing second in MVP voting last season, he has posted a below-average 45.1 QBR and only completed 60.7% of his passes in three starts.
When asked why he and Lamb have yet to find their rhythm, Prescott said, "I'm not really sure. If I had an answer, we would be in rhythm."
Lamb and Prescott shouldn't shoulder all the blame. Per ESPN's Todd Archer, Dallas has allowed 464 rushing yards over the past two games, the most in a two-game span since 2020, when it allowed 476 yards in Weeks 12 and 13.
Still, Dallas gave Prescott (four years, $240M) and Lamb (four years, $136M) massive contract extensions this offseason. It expects more and needs the QB-WR duo to show why it paid them.
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