Thursday night’s 44-30 loss to Detroit didn’t just derail the Dallas Cowboys‘ late-season push, it also exposed a fatal flaw in their offense.
The Cowboys‘ normally effective slantroute game faltered, leaving George Pickens frustrated and exposing weaknesses in Brian Schottenheimer‘s offensive strategy.
For much of the season, Pickens had emerged as a breakout star. But in Detroit, everything that had made him dangerous went quiet. He finished with just five catches on nine targets for 37 yards, his lowest total since the season opener.
However, the Lions came into the game prepared. Amik Robertson, Detroit‘s cornerback, effectively neutralized Pickens, limiting him to just five catches for 37 yards, which was his second-lowest output with Dallas.
The turning point came early in the second half when Pickens ran a slant that resulted in a critical interception.
Robertson broke up the pass, and the ball fell directly into the hands of linebacker Derrick Barnes, who returned it to set up seven points for Detroit.
This sequence contributed significantly to Dallas‘ three-turnover deficit and ultimately shifted momentum in favor of the Lions.
This situation mirrors some of the most infamous coaching missteps in NFL history.
Schottenheimer‘s decision to publicly commit to a predictable play recalls the controversial Super Bowl XLIX call, when former Seahawks offensive coordinator Darrell Bevell opted for a pass on the goal line that the Patriots anticipated and intercepted.
Both Pickens and offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer acknowledged that they expected the Lions to focus on the slant. Pickens said Detroit “definitely overcompensated” to take that route away.
Pickens‘ consistency concerns
Despite the struggles in Detroit, it is important to note that Pickens‘ overall impact on slant routes has been significant.
According to NFL Next Gen Stats, Pickens has accumulated 292 yards on slants through Week 13, nearly doubling the yardage of the next closest receiver.
His four receptions for 73 yards against the Kansas City Chiefs were the most gained by any player on slants in a single game this season.
Clearly, the talent is there, but execution against prepared defenses remains a concern.
The Lions game also highlighted questions about Pickens‘ engagement on the field.
With CeeDee Lamb sidelined in the third quarter due to a concussion, Pickens was expected to shoulder more responsibility.
As the Lions stacked coverage and dropped defenders into slants and inbreakers, Pickens couldn’t find space. On top of that, he was flagged for two penalties: an offensive pass interference and a facemask.
In postgame comments, Pickens admitted some plays simply didn’t go Dallas‘ way.
“Things just didn’t go our way, to be honest,” he said. “I feel like we still had the guys, we still made the plays, CeeDee had a great game, Dak had a great game, I just feel like some plays didn’t go our way.”
Quarterback Dak Prescott acknowledged Pickens‘ tough night. “To George‘s standard? That’s tough,” Prescott said. “When you’re playing the way that he’s played. I know George believes he can.”
Former NFL cornerback and current analyst Richard Sherman didn’t mince words. On the postgame broadcast, Sherman claimed Pickens “just looked uninterested…uninterested in playing football,” adding that kind of disengagement can’t be tolerated, especially for a receiver earning or expecting big money.
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