Cowboys trying to calm panic over CeeDee Lamb injury and it’s not working

The Dallas Cowboys are teetering on the edge of their season spiraling down the drain and enhancing their position as football's social pariah on Sunday against the Green Bay Packers. Micah Parsons' return to AT&T Stadium naturally gets the bulk of the attention—with so much content created around the homecoming, Google's algorithm simply can't keep up.

Parsons will have a spotlight on him throughout the evening, but his impending performance is overshadowing the significance of the game's result. The Cowboys have only made the postseason once with a 1-3 start, and even with the extended postseason format, they would have a tough time making up ground in the vaunted NFC.

The Cowboys are entering the contest hampered by key injuries to Tyler Booker and CeeDee Lamb. However, there's still a prevailing optimism within the organization that the club has enough talent to eke out a crucial home victory this weekend. Offensive coordinator Klayton Adams was candid in his response about missing two integral starters.

Cowboys' Klayton Adams downplays CeeDee Lamb's absence

"That's just life in the NFL," Adams said. "Nobody cares about your injuries, and you're expected to play well. And because of that, we expect the players in the room, when they get their opportunity to play well."

Even for "coach speak," this felt a bit tone-deaf. Sure, the Packers might not care about Lamb on the sidelines, but what about the team paying him $38M next year? The phrasing from Adams is just incomprehensible.

There's no point in the players or staff dwelling on Lamb's absence since they can't change what happened to him. Yet, shouldn't there be some acknowledgment that Lamb is a superstar pass catcher and replacing his production will be a challenge? There was a way for Adams to illustrate Lamb's importance while singing the praises of the wide receiver room, and he fell short of putting that extra nuance into his answer.

Later in his presser, Adams at least praised KaVonte Turpin, who will see an increase in workload with Lamb out of action.

"He's the straw that stirs the drink out there," Adams said of Turpin.

Turpin saw over a 300% increase in his snaps at receiver versus the Bears. There's a chance he sees even another bump in playing time against Green Bay.

Lamb not in uniform feels like a death sentence for the Cowboys' aerial attack. Could George Pickens, Jalen Tolbert, or KaVonte Turpin hold down the fort for a few weeks? Maybe, but Lamb's ability to bail this team out in the blink of an eye is being grossly downplayed.

Cam Newton Picks Baker Mayfield Over Jalen Hurts in Must-Win Game Debate

In a bold statement that’s shaking up the NFL quarterback conversation, former MVP Cam Newton has thrown his support behind Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield over Philadelphia Eagles' Jalen Hurts when it comes to a must-win scenario. The remarks were made during a recent appearance on ESPN’s

First Take, where Newton explained that if he had to pick a quarterback to lead his team in a do-or-die situation, he would choose Mayfield over Hurts.

While Hurts led the Eagles to a Super Bowl appearance last season and is widely regarded as one of the top quarterbacks in the league, Newton’s reasoning centers around Mayfield’s ability to perform in critical, high-pressure moments. Mayfield, who joined the Buccaneers this offseason, has already impressed with his early-season poise and efficiency.

“I’m going with Baker Mayfield if it’s a do-or-die situation,” Newton said. “I respect Jalen Hurts a lot, but when the game’s on the line, Mayfield has shown that he’s able to step up and make plays. He’s not just going through the motions, he’s playing with urgency, and we’ve seen him deliver when it counts.”

Mayfield has demonstrated his clutch ability in the first few weeks of the season, including leading the Buccaneers to multiple game-winning drives, an area where Hurts, while dominant, has yet to show the same level of consistency. With three game-winning drives already this season, Mayfield has proven that he can handle pressure, something Newton places a great deal of value on.

“Baker’s ability to deliver in the clutch is what makes him stand out,” Newton continued. “He’s already had multiple opportunities to seal games, and he’s done it. That’s something Jalen hasn’t had to do as often this season.”

On the other hand, Hurts has been nearly flawless in his play with the Eagles, leading them to a 3-0 record to start the season and racking up impressive stats, including over 1,100 passing yards and nine touchdowns. The Eagles are a more well-rounded team, with a defense that is playing at a high level and an offense that is explosive. Yet Newton argues that it’s not just about putting up great numbers — it’s about showing up when the game is on the line.

“Look, Hurts has been great,” Newton said. “But if I need someone to take the reins in a critical situation, I’m choosing Mayfield right now. He’s showing the ability to stay calm under pressure and deliver when it counts.”

Despite Newton’s confidence in Mayfield, Hurts’ Eagles are still viewed by many as the favorites in the NFC East and a team capable of making another deep playoff run. Hurts, with his leadership and consistent performances, has become one of the most reliable quarterbacks in the league. But Mayfield’s ability to lead the Buccaneers to wins in high-pressure situations has given him newfound respect, and Newton’s endorsement adds fuel to the fire of an already growing narrative around the 28-year-old quarterback.

The debate between Mayfield and Hurts is not just about which quarterback is better overall — it’s about who can perform in the most critical moments. As the season progresses, both quarterbacks will be tested in various high-stakes situations, and this discussion may only intensify as we move toward the playoffs.

As for Mayfield, this bold statement from Newton could serve as a springboard for his career in Tampa Bay. With the Buccaneers looking to make a playoff push, Mayfield’s ability to perform in clutch moments could define his legacy in Tampa Bay, just as it did for him in Cleveland. On the other hand, Hurts, with his proven track record, will have plenty of opportunities to prove why he’s considered one of the NFL’s elite quarterbacks.

In the end, the matchup between these two quarterbacks may just be the most intriguing storyline of the season, with Mayfield and Hurts each looking to prove they are the ones to lead their team to glory. The football world is watching, and Newton’s pick has only added more fuel to this fascinating debate.