The Dallas Cowboys have already been on a roller coaster of highs and lows in the 2023 season and we are only five weeks into it. There were some people who wondered whether the Cowboys were among the best teams in the NFL after they destroyed the New York Giants and New York Jets to open the season.
Their momentum was stalled by a loss to the Arizona Cardinals in Week 3, but another dominant victory in Week 4 over the New England Patriots got them back on track. The question about being a contender or not would be answered in a Week 5 matchup with the San Francisco 49ers.
The answer? A resounding no. The 49ers destroyed the Cowboys 42-10, doing whatever they wanted to and looking like the far superior team. A loss of that magnitude, against a team Dallas will assuredly have to get past in the NFC, is certainly demoralizing.
It is clear the Cowboys have some work to do when it comes to competing with the top-tier teams in the NFC. One of those issues is offensively with star wide receiver, CeeDee Lamb, who is not happy about his current role with the team.
Lamb has had more than four receptions only once this season, Week 2 against the Jets, and one touchdown on the season. He let his frustrations get the best of him after the loss to the 49ers, seemingly calling out head coach Mike McCarthy, who took over play-calling when Kellen Moore wasn’t retained as the offensive coordinator.
“What’s the identity of this offense?” “I don’t know,” Lamb said. “Should you [know] five weeks into the season?” “I guess so. I don’t know.” “How do you guys find it?” “I don’t know,” Lamb said Monday.
We saw Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase voice his frustrations with usage and Joe Burrow started looking his way more often. Could Lamb be taking one out of his playbook after receiving just 35 targets in five games, 13 of which came in Week 2?
This is something the Cowboys have to figure out and fast. McCarthy’s play calling has already come under fire this season for their lack of success in the red zone. If his players are going to start calling him out publicly, things will get ugly and fast.
