CeeDee Lamb's Fourth-Quarter Fumble Overshadows 195-Yard Day in Cowboys' 27-23 Win Over Colts

CeeDee Lamb produced 10 receptions, 195 receiving yards and a touchdown as the Dallas Cowboys beat the Indianapolis Colts 27-23 in Indianapolis, but the fourth-quarter fumble he lost has dominated the post-game conversation. The Cowboys, who had dropped a close game the previous week, took the win that gave them their fourth victory of the season.

A late fumble that was reviewed and upheld

Trailing for most of the afternoon's back-and-forth contest, Dallas faced a third-and-12 from its own 39-yard line while holding a three-point lead. Quarterback Dak Prescott threw toward Lamb while facing a blitz, and Lamb caught the ball close to the ground and ran for about 25 more yards before losing it.

The play was reviewed. Lamb had initially been ruled down by contact, but the ruling was overturned, and the Colts took possession. According to Fox News, the review upheld the fumble, with Indianapolis linebacker Austin Ajiake among the players involved in the tackle.

Lamb's view was blunt. He said he believed he was down because a linebacker hit him from behind as he tried to make a move, and he acknowledged that using the ball to keep his balance was a mistake. "I know not to use the ball to keep my balance next time, but I also thought I was down by contact," he said. He added that the officials "had it out for me this week," a comment he made in frustration.

Lamb's own assessment of his game

Despite the stat line, Lamb said he was focused on what he saw as missed opportunity. He pointed to two offensive pass interference penalties, a false start and the fumble, and said he felt he needed to be better as a leader on the offense. "The numbers look crazy, but it could have been more," he said.

The Cowboys were without George Pickens, who was ruled out before kickoff with a hamstring injury, and other players had to step up. Lamb singled out Ryan Flournoy, whose 46-yard reception downfield on the final offensive drive, with Sauce Gardner in coverage, set up a touchdown rather than a field goal attempt. Lamb said the two had communicated throughout the game about what the defense was showing, and he praised Flournoy for winning one-on-one on a go ball.

Next up: the 49ers and the need to win cleanly

Lamb noted that Dallas needed the victory heading into Week 10, when the San Francisco 49ers visit AT&T Stadium, a venue where the Cowboys have struggled recently. He said the team has to find ways to win games without relying on close finishes, and he cautioned that too many penalties could cost them against a strong 49ers offense.

What we know so far: the Cowboys won 27-23 over the Colts, Lamb's fumble was upheld on review, and Dallas has eight games left in the regular season. Lamb's 60 receptions, 709 yards and six touchdown catches, as cited by Fox News, rank among the league's top three receivers. The Cowboys face the 49ers next.

Background and reaction

Fox News described the fumble as a rare blemish on an otherwise strong day for Lamb, a five-time Pro Bowl selection. Lamb's own comments suggest the loss of the ball, rather than the overall production, is what he plans to address first.

The Cowboys face the 49ers next at home.

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