Dallas Cowboys: Falcons are owed thanks for the gift of CeeDee Lamb

The Dallas Cowboys owe the Atlanta Falcons a thank you card.

No, not for the botched onside kick Sunday, but something that happened back in April. In the 2020 NFL draft, the Atlanta Falcons picked one place before the Dallas Cowboys. The Falcons decided to draft Clemson cornerback A.J. Terrell. By selecting Terrell they left wide receiver CeeDee Lamb on the board for the Dallas Cowboys to pick.

The Cowboys not only got Lamb in the first round but by the Falcons choosing to go with Terrell as their corner, it allowed Dallas to select Alabama cornerback Trevon Diggs in the second round.

The Dallas Cowboys thanked the Falcons by using the two rookies to help them beat their foe from Atlanta. Once down 20-0, the Dallas Cowboys climbed back to win 40-39. Lamb contributed his first 100-yard game and Diggs helped the defense hold Julio Jones to 24 yards on just two catches.

Diggs did get called for phantom defensive pass interference in the first quarter and gave up a 25-yard catch to Calvin Ridley in the second quarter. Jones also beat Diggs for what should have been a big play for a touchdown on third and two, but he dropped the ball.

Diggs almost had his first interception when Matt Ryan tested him late in the third quarter on a second and four play. Ridley initially had a step on Diggs, but Diggs showed his great closing speed as he was in the perfect position to come down with the ball. However, Ridley broke up the pass, and Diggs was credited with a pass breakup.

Diggs ended the game with six tackles and one pass breakup.

Lamb got the Cowboys going in the second half. Down by 19 points, early in the third quarter, the Falcons jumped offside giving Dak Prescott and the Dallas Cowboys offense a free play. Prescott took the opportunity to stretch the field, hitting Lamb for a 37-yard gain. A few plays later Prescott would run it into the endzone to make it a 12-point game.

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Lamb also made the play of the game on the game-winning drive. Lamb ran an in-and-out route, causing his defender to lose his footing, leaving him wide open. Lamb caught the ball and advanced it for a total gain of 24 yards, setting up the game-winning field goal. Lamb ended the game with six catches on nine targets for 106 yards.

Both rookies have areas to clean up, as every rookie does, but both have looked really good so far this season. They should continue to get better and help the Dallas Cowboys win many more games this season.

So thank you Atlanta, the Dallas Cowboys appreciate you for making this happen. Thank you very much.

• Published on 09/22/2020 at 11:01 AM
• Last updated at 09/22/2020 at 09:02 AM