CeeDee Lamb sends chilling message to Commanders before bitter showdown
The Washington Commanders' secondary has not met their billing so far this season. This was projected to be among the team's biggest strengths before the campaign. Aside from a few positives, they have fallen short of these expectations.
And things could get a lot worse this weekend in the face of a familiar foe.
Washington makes its annual trip to take on the Dallas Cowboys in Week 7. It's one of the league's most historic and bitter rivalries, dating back decades. While they have some real problems defensively, head coach Brian Schottenheimer's offense is humming, and it looks set to welcome back All-Pro wide receiver CeeDee Lamb from an ankle injury to raise Commanders' defensive coordinator Joe Whitt Jr.'s headache further.
Commanders have an all-too-familiar foe to contend with in Week 7
Lamb is back at practice as he looks to resume his prolific wideout partnership with George Pickens. He also sent a chilling warning to the Commanders, claiming that his ankle is feeling better and it won't take him long to get back into the groove.
I don't think it'll be long at all. I feel like I'm out there moving around, running around, being me, happy as can be. Obviously, just believing in my ankle. I feel like it's back to where I needed it to be and [I’m] pretty good.CeeDee Lamb via Sporting News
This is something the Commanders need to take seriously. The Cowboys' offense has been difficult enough to contain in recent weeks, even with Lamb on the sidelines. Now that he's back in the fold, this is a challenge of epic proportions for Washington's cornerback group.
If there was ever a time to raise the stakes, it's now. Marshon Lattimore needs to step up. Mike Sainristil also needs to increase his performance levels. Second-round rookie Trey Amos is playing well, but this represents a different challenge entirely.
Washington's safeties also need to provide adequate support. Quan Martin's supposed breakout campaign is falling by the wayside. Jeremy Reaves is playing with plenty of effort, but he's missing too many tackles. That cannot happen versus a Cowboys offense capable of punishing even the slightest mistakes.
Containing the Cowboys offensively is an almost impossible task. Those chances diminish significantly with Lamb back in the fold. And if his proclamation about not skipping a beat proves accurate, this could be a long afternoon at the office for Washington's defensive backs if they don't meet fire with fire.
A season-best effort is needed. Whether it'll be enough is another matter.
Joey Porter Jr. Questions Officiating in Steelers-Bengals Matchup
The Pittsburgh Steelers had a hard time covering Cincinnati Bengals wide receivers Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins. But the officiating in the game had something to do with that. At least, that’s what Steelers cornerback Joey Porter Jr. implied while speaking to reporters following the game.
Porter didn’t outright disagree with the officiating and blame the referees for the Steelers loss. The Bengals defeated the Steelers 33-31 on Thursday.
But Porter implied the officials were too quick to throw a flag in favor of the Bengals wideouts.
“We’ve got the guys to do it [cover the Bengals]; they’ve just got to let us play,” said Porter.
“I wasn’t a big fan of the calls with the officiating, but it is what it is. It’s football.”
The officials in Week 7 called Porter for defensive pass interference twice. The first call came in the first quarter when Porter was in coverage on Chase.
The second pass interference call on Porter was when he was covering Higgins just before halftime. That led to a late Cincinnati field goal.
Overall, the Steelers committed seven penalties for 59 yards. The Bengals had four fouls for 35 yards.
Joey Porter Jr. Calls Out Officiating vs. Bengals
It’s tough enough trying to slow down the Bengals elite pass-catchers. When they are getting help from the officials, it’s nearly impossible.
Of course, it likely greatly depends on one’s perspective whether or not the Bengals were getting “help” from the officials. Cincinnati would probably disagree with Porter and say the calls against the Steelers secondary were clearly penalties.
