CeeDee Lamb, George Pickens Benched for Opening Drive as Cowboys Beat Raiders 33-16
When the Dallas Cowboys took the field at Allegiant Stadium on Monday night, November 18, 2024, fans expected fireworks from their star receivers. Instead, they got silence — and then a statement. CeeDee Lamb and George Pickens, the team’s two most dangerous pass-catchers, didn’t line up for the opening drive. Not because of injury. Not because of strategy. But because Dallas Cowboys head coach Brian Schottenheimer decided they hadn’t done their homework.
Why Bench Two of Your Best Players?
It’s not every day a team benches its top two wideouts on national television — especially when one is coming off injury and the other is leading the team in receiving. But that’s exactly what happened. The Cowboys opened the game with Jalen Tolbert, Ryan Flournoy, and KaVontae Turpin — a group that combined for just 18 catches all season. The result? Three plays. Six yards. A three-and-out. Quarterback Dak Prescott’s pass to Tolbert on third down fell incomplete. It wasn’t just a bad drive; it was a signal.Here’s the thing: preparation is sacred in the NFL. Not effort. Not talent. Preparation. And according to team sources, Lamb and Pickens had missed key film sessions and route corrections in the days leading up to the game. Coach Schottenheimer, who’s been running the offense since Mike McCarthy’s suspension, made the call after a tense Thursday practice. Reporters noticed unusually long conversations between Schottenheimer and both receivers during warmups — the kind of awkward exchanges that don’t happen unless something’s broken.
The Comeback That Defined the Night
Lamb returned on the first play of the Cowboys’ second offensive series. Pickens followed a play later. And then, everything changed.Lamb didn’t just get back in the game — he reminded everyone why he’s one of the league’s elite. On a slant route just inside the red zone, he caught a 12-yard touchdown pass early in the second quarter, breaking a tackle and dragging a defender into the end zone. Pickens, meanwhile, turned into a human highlight reel. Nine catches. 144 yards. One touchdown. He beat double coverage. He won contested balls. He even ran a crossing route so crisp it looked like it was drawn on a whiteboard.
By the time the final whistle blew, the Cowboys had won 33-16. Lamb added five receptions for 66 yards and another score. Together, they accounted for 14 catches, 210 yards, and two touchdowns — more than half of Dak Prescott’s passing output. The benching wasn’t just forgiven. It was erased.
Ownership, Accountability, and the Jerry Jones Effect
Jerry Jones, the 82-year-old owner and general manager of the Dallas Cowboys, didn’t mince words when asked about the decision. “It was about standards,” he told Blogging the Boys on November 19. “We’ve got a culture here. When you’re not locked in, you don’t play. That’s not a punishment. That’s a reminder.”It’s a reminder the Cowboys have used before — but never this visibly. In 2024, no star skill player had been benched for preparation issues. Not Dak. Not Ezekiel Elliott. Not even when Lamb missed three straight games with a high ankle sprain. This was different. It was personal. And it worked.
What Analysts Are Saying
NFL insiders were split. Mike Florio on ProFootballTalk Live called it “a bold, risky move that could’ve backfired spectacularly.” Devin McCourty, the former Patriots safety turned analyst, was more direct: “You don’t surprise your fans during a Monday night game. You tell them why. You earn trust.”But here’s the twist: the Cowboys didn’t lose. They won. And they won decisively. That changes the narrative. Suddenly, it’s not about discipline — it’s about leadership. About holding stars accountable without crushing their confidence. About sending a message: talent doesn’t excuse laziness.
What’s Next?
The Cowboys (6-4) now head to MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, for a Week 12 showdown with the New York Giants on Sunday, November 24, 2024, at 3:25 p.m. EST. Schottenheimer is expected to address the benching in detail during his Friday press conference — though he’s already hinted the message was heard. “They responded,” he said after the game. “That’s all that matters.”The Raiders, now 2-8, are sinking fast. Their defense gave up 33 points to a unit that started three backups on the opening drive. It’s not just about the receivers — it’s about what happens when a team believes in itself enough to make a bold move.
Behind the Numbers
- George Pickens entered the game with 49 receptions, 764 yards, and six touchdowns — the Cowboys’ leading receiver.
- CeeDee Lamb, returning from injury, had 35 catches, 491 yards, and one touchdown before the game.
- After the benching, Pickens had nine catches for 144 yards and a TD. Lamb had five for 66 yards and a TD.
- The Cowboys’ opening drive: 3 plays, 6 yards, all on runs. No completions.
- This was the Cowboys’ third straight win. Their first benching of a star receiver for preparation issues in 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why were CeeDee Lamb and George Pickens benched for the opening drive?
The Dallas Cowboys benched both receivers due to missed film sessions and route corrections during practice leading up to the game. Head coach Brian Schottenheimer described it as a "coach's decision" tied to preparation standards — not performance. The team had not previously disciplined star skill players this way in 2024, making the move unusually public.
How did the Cowboys perform without Lamb and Pickens on the first drive?
Without their top two receivers, Dallas went three-and-out on their opening drive, gaining only six yards — all on rushing attempts by Javonte Williams. Quarterback Dak Prescott’s pass to Jalen Tolbert on third down was incomplete. The offense looked disjointed, highlighting how much the team relies on its star receivers even in basic situations.
Did the benching hurt the Cowboys’ chances of winning?
Not at all. After returning to the field, Lamb and Pickens combined for 14 receptions, 210 yards, and two touchdowns. Pickens had nine catches for 144 yards and a TD, while Lamb added five for 66 yards and another score. The Cowboys won 33-16, proving the discipline worked — not as punishment, but as a catalyst.
What did Jerry Jones say about the decision?
Owner Jerry Jones emphasized that the move was about maintaining team standards, not targeting individuals. He told reporters the decision was rooted in preparation, not results, and that the Cowboys’ culture demands consistent effort — even from stars. He declined to give specifics but confirmed it was the first such disciplinary action of the season.
Is this a sign of a larger shift in how the Cowboys handle player discipline?
Yes. For years, the Cowboys have been criticized for letting star players skate on lapses. This move signals a new era under Schottenheimer and Jones — one where accountability is non-negotiable. If a player misses preparation, they sit. No exceptions. That’s a message that could reshape locker room culture going forward.
What’s the next game for the Cowboys, and how might this affect their performance?
The Cowboys face the New York Giants at MetLife Stadium on November 24, 2024. With momentum from their three-game win streak and the psychological boost from this disciplinary win, expectations are high. If Lamb and Pickens stay locked in, Dallas could be a serious playoff contender. But if the message fades, so might their confidence.
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