The Indianapolis Colts are on the bye in Week 11, and while they entered it in first place in the AFC, they have already lost their position after one game. The New England Patriots became the first nine-win team in the NFL on Thursday night, defeating the New York Jets, and taking sole possession of first place in the AFC as a result.
CeeDee Lamb Fires Back After Critics Call the Dallas Cowboys a ‘Washed-Up Team’
Posted November 14, 2025
The Dallas Cowboys have never been strangers to criticism, but the noise around the franchise has grown noticeably louder in recent weeks. After a string of inconsistent performances, several national analysts labeled the Cowboys a “washed-up team,” suggesting that the league had finally figured them out and that their playoff window had quietly closed. The comment sparked a wave of reactions across social media—and eventually drew a strong, composed response from star wide receiver CeeDee Lamb.
Lamb, who has quickly become the face of the Cowboys’ offense, was asked about the criticism during Thursday’s media availability. Instead of dismissing the narrative or firing back emotionally, he addressed it directly.
“People outside can say whatever they want,” Lamb said. “But nobody in this locker room believes we’re done. If anything, the criticism just reminds us how high the expectations are for this team. Washed up? No. Hungry? Absolutely.”
Analysts have pointed to several issues as reasons for the Cowboys’ struggles: injuries to key players, an unsteady offensive rhythm, defensive lapses in late-game moments, and inconsistent execution on long drives. But Lamb emphasized that none of those challenges have affected the team’s confidence.
“This is the NFL—you’re going to hit rough patches,” he continued. “But great teams respond, and that’s what we’re built to do. We’re not folding. We’re not backing down. We know what we’re capable of.”
Lamb’s teammates echoed his sentiment, with several describing the narrative as premature and exaggerated. One unnamed veteran noted that the Cowboys are still very much in the playoff hunt and have the pieces to make a late-season push.
Still, the criticism has clearly struck a chord throughout the organization. Sources inside the team say the comments have been circulating in group chats and team meetings—not to create tension, but to fuel motivation. Head coach Mike McCarthy reportedly told players earlier this week that “nobody decides your story but you,” a message that resonated with veterans and young players alike.
For Lamb, the focus remains on action rather than words.
“We’re not here to convince the critics,” he said. “We’re here to prove it on the field. And trust me—we’re far from finished.”
As the Cowboys prepare for their upcoming matchup, the question now shifts from whether they’re “washed up” to whether this wave of criticism might be exactly what they needed to spark a late-season resurgence.
AFC Playoff Picture: Colts lose top spot on their bye week
The Colts didn’t play this weekend, but they have already moved down the AFC standings.
The Denver Broncos currently share an 8-2 record with Indianapolis. They play the Chiefs this weekend in a game with huge AFC playoff implications.
The Patriots’ bye isn’t until Week 14 and between now and then they play two of the worst teams in the NFL in the Cincinnati Bengals and New York Giants. Meanwhile the Colts play the Kansas City Chiefs next week coming off the bye.
AFC standings during Week 11
1. New England Patriots (9-2)
2. Indianapolis Colts (8-2, win over DEN)
3. Denver Broncos (8-2, loss to IND)
4. Pittsburgh Steelers (5-4)
5. Los Angeles Chargers (7-3)
6. Buffalo Bills (6-3)
7. Jacksonville Jaguars (5-4, win over KC)
8. Kansas City Chiefs (5-4, loss to JAX)
9. Houston Texans (4-5, win over BAL)
10. Baltimore Ravens (4-5, loss to HOU)
11. Cincinnati Bengals (3-6)
12. Miami Dolphins (3-7)
13. New York Jets (2-7)
14. Las Vegas Raiders (2-7)
15. Cleveland Browns (2-7)
16. Tennessee Titans (1-8)
AFC South standings after Week 10
The Jaguars face the Chargers this week in another big AFC contest while the Texans and Titans play each other Sunday.
1. Indianapolis Colts (8-2)
2. Jacksonville Jaguars (5-4)
3. Houston Texans (4-5)
4. Tennessee Titans (1-8)
