The Case for Cowboys' CeeDee Lamb As 1st-Team All-Pro: Dallas' Strong Closing Argument
The Dallas Cowboys haven't had a receiver selected as a First-Team All-Pro since Dez Bryant in 2014. But the latest member of the "88 Club" is about to change that.
"It's a surreal moment for me,'' said Lamb after his spectacular New Year's Eve weekend. "We're looking forward to keeping it going."
What is the "it''? The Cowboys still have plenty to play for in Week 18 against the Washington Commanders as they try to secure both the NFC East title and No. 2 seed in the NFC. But Lamb made his closing argument to be an All-Pro in front of a national audience Saturday evening against the Detroit Lions, and it's one that Perry Mason would have been proud of.
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Highlighted by a a 92-yard touchdown reception from quarterback Dak Prescott -- one of the most exciting plays of the NFL season -- Lamb put together a monster performance in a 20-19 win over the Lions in Week 17. Lamb finished the night with 13 catches for 227 yards and a touchdown.
With Michael Irvin -- another all-time great No. 88 in attendance -- Lamb set new Cowboys single-season records for catches (122) and receiving yards (1,651). Lamb leads the NFL in catches, with 10 more than Tyreek Hill of the Miami Dolphins. He's second only to Hill in receiving yards.
The race for the third and final All-Pro spot at receiver may come down to Week 18, with A.J. Brown of the Philadelphia Eagles, Puka Nacua of the Los Angeles Rams and Amon-Ra St. Brown of the Lions among those still in the race. But the first two spots have been secured.
Hill is likely going to fall short of setting a new single-season receiving record, but with 1,717 receiving yards and 12 touchdowns, the future Hall of Famer is going to be a First-Team All-Pro for the fifth time in his career. He may also win Offensive Player of the Year.
Lamb has locked himself into one of the three spots as well. Lamb was a Second-Team All-Pro a year ago, but he's going to be a First-Team pick in 2023. Unless he replicates his Week 17 performance against the Commanders Sunday afternoon, Lamb probably won't win the Offensive Player of the Year, but he's certain to finish in the top five.
With one First-Team All-Pro selection, Lamb will have as many as both Bryant and Irvin finished their careers with, believe it or not. Bryant, as previously noted, was a First-Team All-Pro in 2014. Irvin was a First-Team All-Pro in 1991, before being a Second-Team pick in 1992 and 1993.
Lamb still has a ways to go before equaling the three First-Team All-Pro selections that Hall of Famer Drew Pearson (1974, 1976, 1977) had, but there's no question he's proven to be a worthy addition to the "88 Club."
