If the Dallas Cowboys are going to make the playoffs, they'll need a lot of help to do so. They had a three-game winning streak entering Thursday Night Football, and each victory would only increase their odds. Specifically, to around 40 percent if they won.
Instead, the Cowboys' playoff odds cratered to less than 10 percent, as they lost 44-30 to the Detroit Lions. Dallas was at a disadvantage in the game, as star wide receiver CeeDee Lamb was quickly ruled out after suffering a concussion. That meant quarterback Dak Prescott and the Cowboys' offense needed George Pickens to step up.
Dallas made the trade for Pickens to improve their offense, and he has provided just that throughout his first season with the Cowboys.
But Pickens disappeared late after Lamb's exit. Not to mention, he tipped up a pass from Prescott for an interception to start the second half, and it resulted in an immediate Lions touchdown to put the Cowboys down 27-9. Then, there were routes where it looked like Pickens was putting much effort into them.
Amazon Prime Video analyst and former NFL cornerback Richard Sherman started the postgame show by calling out Pickens for his effort. Well, lack of effort, to be specific.
Richard Sherman rips George Pickens for lack of effort in Cowboys' loss to Lions
“The big story here is George Pickens. George Pickens, throughout this game, especially late in the game, just looked uninterested in playing football. That you can’t have. If you want to be a superstar, if you want to be the best receiver in the National Football League, you can’t ever be disengaged. It doesn’t matter if it’s going your way or not going your way. You can’t just disappear…You can't be the guy and half-*** it," said Sherman.
Talk about pulling no punches. Sherman brought up that the Cowboys needed Pickens to step up, especially with Lamb ruled out for the remainder of the game. Sherman highlighted routes in which it looked like Pickens was jogging or looking disinterested, and the aforementioned play that he caused an interception.
It wasn't just Sherman criticizing Pickens. There were Cowboys fans and members of the media who pointed out how the Cowboys and Prescott simply couldn't trust Pickens in the second half.
Cowboys needed Flournoy to be CeeDee cause Dak didn’t trust Pickens in the 4th https://t.co/SsDOcIryJh
— Clarence Hill Jr (@clarencehilljr) December 5, 2025
Tough night for Ferguson and Pickens
— Ed Werder (@WerderEdNFL) December 5, 2025
now look as much as i love george pickens, he absolutely quit on us tonight. hate to say it and hate to see it.
— Zuqi❤️🔥 (@Zuqi2k) December 5, 2025
Pickens was getting doubled after Lamb went down, but he was still running lazy routes... not a good look and he didn't look himself either
— DUANE THE MAIN VEIN (@_Dualien) December 5, 2025
George Pickens was our 3rd best WR tonight
— ✭ Cowboy Kiest 10-6-1 ✭ (@HottboyKiest) December 5, 2025
Pickens finished the game with five receptions for just 37 yards on nine targets. Not a ideal showing for Pickens, especially considering the season he's had thus far. Entering the game, Pickens recorded 73 receptions for 1,142 yards and eight touchdowns on 105 targets.
The Cowboys have a lot of faith in Pickens, as NFL Network insider Ian Rapoport said that the team wants to keep him around for the future. While mentioning using the franchise tag, Rapoport said the Cowboys want to work out a long-term contract extension with Pickens.
Simply put, when Pickens is on, he's on. When he's off, you get performances like this one in Detroit. Call it recency bias, but Cowboys fans may feel a lot more apprehensive about team owner Jerry Jones handing Pickens huge money.