Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Ceedee Lamb (88) greets supporters as he exits the field after defeating the Houston Texans in an NFL football game at Reliant Stadium in Houston, Sunday, Oct. 4, 2026.
Juan Figueroa/The Dallas Morning News
HOUSTON — Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott, admittedly, is an optimist. It’s why he told ESPN before the game that he expected a blowout against the Houston Texans on Sunday.
“Obviously I was wrong about that,” Prescott said with a laugh after the Cowboys survived with a 34-30 victory.
That doesn’t mean all of his optimism is misplaced, however. Earlier in the week, Prescott had the last question in wide receiver CeeDee Lamb’s press briefing. Prescott asked Lamb if he thinks he can be guarded. Lamb, without hesitation, said no.
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“Told you so,” Prescott said to The Dallas Morning News after Sunday’s game.
Dallas Cowboys fan Patrick “Popeye” Brawn of Dallas poses for a photo before an NFL football game against the Houston Texans at Reliant Stadium in Houston, Sunday, Oct. 4, 2026.
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(From left) Houston Texans fan David Carcamo and Dallas Cowboys Daniel Maldonado Jr. tailgate as they celebrate Maldonado’s birthday before an NFL football game against the Houston Texans at Reliant Stadium in Houston, Sunday, Oct. 4, 2026.
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Dallas Cowboys fan Jesse Sanchez of San Antonio has a beer punched by Houston Texans fan Travis McGlothin of Houston for the Texan Mojo’s Shotgun 30 as they tailgate before an NFL football game against the Houston Texans at Reliant Stadium in Houston, Sunday, Oct. 4, 2026.
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Dallas Cowboys fan Claudia Espinoza of Brownsville shares a kiss with Houston Texans fan Eric Garza after saying yes to his engagement proposal as they tailgate before an NFL football game at Reliant Stadium in Houston, Sunday, Oct. 4, 2026.
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Dallas Cowboys fan Claudia Espinoza of Brownsville shows off her engagement ring after saying yes to Houston Texans fan Eric Garza as they tailgate before an NFL football game at Reliant Stadium in Houston, Sunday, Oct. 4, 2026.
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Houston Texans fan Patrick Ennis with Texan Mojo tailgate leads Texans and Dallas Cowboys fans in the Shotgun 30 as they tailgate before an NFL football game against the Houston Texans at Reliant Stadium in Houston, Sunday, Oct. 4, 2026.
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Dallas Cowboys head coach Brian Schottenheimer watches as his team warms up before an NFL football game against the Houston Texans at Reliant Stadium in Houston, Sunday, Oct. 4, 2026.
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Dallas Cowboys chief operating officer Stephen Jones chats with Dallas Cowboys cornerback Joey Porter Jr. (25) before an NFL football game against the Houston Texans at Reliant Stadium in Houston, Sunday, Oct. 4, 2026.
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A handler with the American Eagle Foundation recalls a bald eagle before the start of an NFL football game between the Houston Texans and the Dallas Cowboys at Reliant Stadium in Houston, Sunday, Oct. 4, 2026.
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A bald eagle with the American Eagle Foundation flys during the national anthem before the start of an NFL football game between the Houston Texans and the Dallas Cowboys at Reliant Stadium in Houston, Sunday, Oct. 4, 2026.
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Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott (4) prepares for the play during the first half of an NFL football game against the Houston Texans at Reliant Stadium in Houston, Sunday, Oct. 4, 2026.
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Dallas Cowboys safety Malik Hooker (24) forces Houston Texans tight end Brevin Jordan (9) out of bounds during the first half of an NFL football game at Reliant Stadium in Houston, Sunday, Oct. 4, 2026.
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Houston Texans wide receiver Nico Collins (12) catches a touchdown pass past Dallas Cowboys cornerback Daron Bland (26) and Dallas Cowboys cornerback Reddy Steward (27) during the first half of an NFL football game at Reliant Stadium in Houston, Sunday, Oct. 4, 2026.
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Houston Texans wide receiver Nico Collins (12) catches a touchdown pass past Dallas Cowboys cornerback Daron Bland (26) and Dallas Cowboys cornerback Reddy Steward (27) during the first half of an NFL football game at Reliant Stadium in Houston, Sunday, Oct. 4, 2026.
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A Dallas Cowboys fan watches during the first half of an NFL football game against the Houston Texans at Reliant Stadium in Houston, Sunday, Oct. 4, 2026.
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Dallas Cowboys head coach Brian Schottenheimer looks up at the screen during the first half of an NFL football game against the Houston Texans at Reliant Stadium in Houston, Sunday, Oct. 4, 2026.
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Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Ceedee Lamb (88) catches a touchdown pass over Houston Texans safety Jalen Pitre (5) during the fourth quarter of an NFL football game at Reliant Stadium in Houston, Sunday, Oct. 4, 2026.
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Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Ceedee Lamb (88) celebrates after catching a touchdown pass over the Houston Texans during the fourth quarter of an NFL football game at Reliant Stadium in Houston, Sunday, Oct. 4, 2026.
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Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Ceedee Lamb (88) celebrates after catching a touchdown pass over the Houston Texans during the fourth quarter of an NFL football game at Reliant Stadium in Houston, Sunday, Oct. 4, 2026.
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Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Ceedee Lamb (88) celebrates with quarterback Dak Prescott (4) after catching a touchdown pass over the Houston Texans during the fourth quarter of an NFL football game at Reliant Stadium in Houston, Sunday, Oct. 4, 2026.
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Dallas Cowboys wide receiver George Pickens (3) completes a 53 yard pass over the Houston Texans during the third quarter of an NFL football game against the Houston Texans at Reliant Stadium in Houston, Sunday, Oct. 4, 2026.
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Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Ceedee Lamb (88) fails to complete a touchdown pass over Houston Texans cornerback Derek Stingley Jr. (24) during the third quarter of an NFL football game against the Houston Texans at Reliant Stadium in Houston, Sunday, Oct. 4, 2026.
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Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott (4) is stopped by Houston Texans linebacker Jake Hansen (35) before reaching the end zone during the third quarter of an NFL football game against the Houston Texans at Reliant Stadium in Houston, Sunday, Oct. 4, 2026.
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A Dallas Cowboys fan cheers during the third quarter of an NFL football game against the Houston Texans at Reliant Stadium in Houston, Sunday, Oct. 4, 2026.
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Dallas Cowboys running back Javonte Williams (33) scores on a touchdown run past Houston Texans defensive tackle Sheldon Rankins (98) during the third quarter of an NFL football game at Reliant Stadium in Houston, Sunday, Oct. 4, 2026.
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Dallas Cowboys running back Javonte Williams (33) rolls in to score on a touchdown run past Houston Texans defensive end Solomon Byrd (50) during the fourth quarter of an NFL football game at Reliant Stadium in Houston, Sunday, Oct. 4, 2026.
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Dallas Cowboys running back Javonte Williams (33) rolls in to score on a touchdown run past Houston Texans defensive end Solomon Byrd (50) during the fourth quarter of an NFL football game at Reliant Stadium in Houston, Sunday, Oct. 4, 2026.
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Dallas Cowboys running back Javonte Williams (33) celebrates his touchdown run with Dallas Cowboys head coach Brian Schottenheimer during the fourth quarter of an NFL football game against the Houston Texans at Reliant Stadium in Houston, Sunday, Oct. 4, 2026.
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Dallas Cowboys defensive tackle Quinnen Williams (92) sacks Houston Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud (7) during the fourth quarter of an NFL football game at Reliant Stadium in Houston, Sunday, Oct. 4, 2026.
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Dallas Cowboys defensive tackle Quinnen Williams (92) sacks Houston Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud (7) during the fourth quarter of an NFL football game at Reliant Stadium in Houston, Sunday, Oct. 4, 2026.
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Dallas Cowboys defensive tackle Quinnen Williams (92) sacks Houston Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud (7) during the fourth quarter of an NFL football game at Reliant Stadium in Houston, Sunday, Oct. 4, 2026.
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Dallas Cowboys defensive tackle Quinnen Williams (92) dances after sacking Houston Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud (7) during the fourth quarter of an NFL football game at Reliant Stadium in Houston, Sunday, Oct. 4, 2026.
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Dallas Cowboys defensive tackle Quinnen Williams (92) dances with linebacker Rashan Gary (7) after sacking Houston Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud (7) during the fourth quarter of an NFL football game at Reliant Stadium in Houston, Sunday, Oct. 4, 2026.
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The Houston Texans offense and the Dallas Cowboys defense at the line of scrimmage during the fourth quarter of an NFL football game against the Houston Texans at Reliant Stadium in Houston, Sunday, Oct. 4, 2026.
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Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Ceedee Lamb (88) celebrates a completed pass during the second half of an NFL football game against the Houston Texans at Reliant Stadium in Houston, Sunday, Oct. 4, 2026.
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Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott (4) and Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Ceedee Lamb (88) celebrate a completed pass during the second half of an NFL football game against the Houston Texans at Reliant Stadium in Houston, Sunday, Oct. 4, 2026.
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Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Ceedee Lamb (88) celebrates a completed pass during the second half of an NFL football game against the Houston Texans at Reliant Stadium in Houston, Sunday, Oct. 4, 2026.
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Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott (4) prepares for a play during the second half of an NFL football game against the Houston Texans at Reliant Stadium in Houston, Sunday, Oct. 4, 2026.
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Dallas Cowboys cornerback Joey Porter Jr. (25) and Dallas Cowboys linebacker Tyrus Wheat (59) exit the field after defeating the Houston Texans in an NFL football game at Reliant Stadium in Houston, Sunday, Oct. 4, 2026.
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Lamb turned in one of the best performances of his career Sunday, if not the best. He caught a career-high 17 catches for 189 yards in his Houston homecoming. His touchdown catch with 40 seconds left proved to be the game-winner in one the Cowboys, now 2-2, desperately needed.
It was Lamb’s third straight game with over 100 yards receiving, marking the fourth time in his career he’s had such a stretch. He also passed Drew Pearson — the founding member of the No. 88 club — for fourth all-time in franchise history for receiving. He now has 7,914 career receiving yards four weeks into his seventh season.
“CeeDee played the way he always plays,” Cowboys head coach Brian Schottenheimer said. “Dynamite.”
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Jason Witten, 12,977 (2003-19)
Michael Irvin, 11,904 (1988-99)
Tony Hill, 7,988 (1977-86)
CeeDee Lamb, 7,914 (2020-present)
Drew Pearson, 7,822 (1973-83)
With plenty of gunpowder on Sunday. Lamb’s 21 targets were the second most in franchise history. After the game, Lamb was quick to defend Schottenheimer, who drew a lot of criticism after the team’s loss the week before in Rio de Janeiro.
“I just want [Schottenheimer] to know that I got his back. I’m with him. I’m one of his strongest soldiers. It’s just going to battle with each other. I feel like once you have that confidence and know who you’re going to battle with, just shoot your gun, and I feel like he shot it.”
Prescott did, too. He said he didn’t know how many times he had targeted Lamb until he saw the box score after the game. He also didn’t realize that fellow wide receiver, George Pickens, only had three targets, though he finished with two pivotal catches for 75 yards.
“Well that’s the reason CeeDee has 17,” Prescott said. “If you’re going to play to George like that and leave CeeDee one-on-one and give him those opportunities, we’re going to go to the open guy.”
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Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Ceedee Lamb (88) celebrates with wide receiver George Pickens (3) after catching a touchdown pass over the Houston Texans during the fourth quarter of an NFL football game at Reliant Stadium in Houston, Sunday, Oct. 4, 2026.
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And yet, as Lamb’ receptions continued to pile up, a question became more and more apparent: Would the Texans even adjust their strategy? Pickens said he definitely wondered that, though he understood why the Texans continued to cover Lamb the way they did. Pickens didn’t have many one-on-one opportunities Sunday, but he did take advantage of it on a 53-yard jump ball reception in the second half.
Pickens said he’s OK being patient for his chances, even if they’re few and far between like they were Sunday.
“It’s about engineering victory,” Pickens said.
So far, Lamb might be the key to doing that. Lamb has 37 receptions for 498 yards and four touchdowns through four games.
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In a way, these first four games have been a reminder of just how good Lamb can be. It’s come on the heels of Lamb’s lowest receiving-yard season since his rookie year. Lamb missed four games last year. Coaches have also said he dealt with injuries even when he played. After last season, there was more attention in training camp on Pickens — just as the Texans defense showed Sunday — than Lamb.
It’s made Lamb’s reminder about his ability even louder.
“You can just see it in the way he practices,” fellow receiver Ryan Flournoy said. “He wants to be the best and he put it on display today.”
Flournoy said that confidence could be felt in the huddle, too. There was a poise to Lamb throughout Sunday’s game, Flournoy said. There was a methodical confidence that was only deterred once — when a miscommunication between Lamb and Prescott resulted in a missed touchdown opportunity when Lamb beat his defender on a double move. Aside from that, Lamb didn’t focus on much else. He didn’t focus on the fact he was playing at Reliant Stadium for the first time, though he grew up only 30 miles away in Richmond. He said he didn’t think about the fact that a lot of his family was in attendance.
He just enjoyed playing in a big game — and playing a big part in it.
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“It’s a lot of execution,” Lamb said. “It’s a lot of confidence, and through all the madness, you have to be calm.”
And on Sunday, he had to be unguardable.