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Video shows George Pickens wasting no time leaving the field after Cowboys brutal loss to Cardinals
The Dallas Cowboys lost 33-30 to the Arizona Cardinals after surrendering a 14-point lead in the fourth quarter, extending their record to 3-5. A social media video showed receiver George Pickens heading quickly towards the locker room moments after Arizona won in overtime.
Pickens had two catches for 48 yards on four targets, his second-lowest target total of the season; CeeDee Lamb was targeted 11 times by Dak Prescott. Three of Dallas’s five defeats have come at home, but the Cowboys remain in contention in the NFC East, where the Giants lead at 4-2-1. Dallas are due to face the 2-6 Indianapolis Colts in Week 9.
In short
- Arizona beat Dallas 33-30 in overtime.
- The Cowboys had led by 14 points in the fourth quarter.
- Pickens finished with two catches for 48 yards.
Steelman: both sides, in good faith
The strongest fair case each way — we don't pick a winner.
The case for
Leaving quickly after an overtime defeat could be a reasonable way for Pickens to manage frustration and avoid reacting publicly in the heat of the moment. His limited targets may also have made the loss especially disappointing, and a brief clip does not establish that he was disrespecting teammates or coaches.
The case against
In a pivotal loss after Dallas squandered a 14-point lead, leaving the field straight away could be seen as failing to stay with teammates through a difficult moment. Supporters of that view may expect players to show solidarity and accountability after a defeat, particularly when the team is struggling.
Explained simply
The Dallas Cowboys and Arizona Cardinals are teams in the National Football League (NFL), which is divided into two conferences. Dallas plays in the NFC East, a group whose teams compete for a division title and a place in the play-offs.
George Pickens is a wide receiver, whose role is to catch passes from quarterback Dak Prescott. CeeDee Lamb is another of Dallas’s leading receivers, and how often each player is targeted can be one measure of their part in the passing game.
A loss can affect a team’s chances of reaching the play-offs, but one result does not decide the season. The Cowboys’ position in their division helps explain why their remaining games matter.