The worst part about Sunday's loss is that it wasted excellent performances from Dak Prescott and George Pickens, who almost carried the Dallas Cowboys to a road win. Unfortunately, their margin for error is so small that going three-and-out once in the fourth quarter is enough to seal the team's fate.
If nothing else, the game proved that the Cowboys have two WR1s. It also proved that Pickens is setting himself up for a monster payday in the offseason. On top of playing the best football of his career, Pickens is silencing concerns about his character one game at a time.
That continued on Sunday when Pickens was asked by Cowboys reporter Patrik Walker about closing in on 200 yards receiving but leaving with a loss.
Cowboys' George Pickens is silencing character critics at the perfect time
"It’s disheartening, because I definitely want to get the dub first, over anything."Cowboys WR George Pickens
George Pickens from a year ago would not have said that. It just goes to show that Pickens has passed every test so far.
The offense hasn't skipped a beat without its best player, CeeDee Lamb. In three games without Lamb, Pickens has caught 19 passes for 359 yards and four touchdowns, while flaunting a 154.6 passer rating when targeted. He ranks first among receivers during that span in touchdowns and passer rating when targeted, while placing fifth in catches and second in yards, per Pro Football Focus.
He took over Sunday's game, much like he did in crunch time in the 40-40 tie against the Packers.
Signing Pickens to an extension would extend the Cowboys' window of winning while Prescott is still in his prime and under contract. The defense might be unsalvageable this year, but you have to think the front office will invest serious resources into it in the offseason, including their two first-round picks acquired in the Micah Parsons trade.
It would cost a lot to sign Pickens, but Prescott is playing at the peak of his powers. Any time you have a quarterback playing that well, you have a chance to make a run, so long as your defense isn't historically bad.
Beyond acing every test on the field, Pickens is keeping his head on straight. Maybe all it took was getting out of Pittsburgh, but he's on his best behavior now, and there’s no reason to think that’ll change