CeeDee Lamb on Thanksgiving: Brian Schottenheimer’s Plan to Feed WR1 vs. Chiefs—and Fix the Drops

The Dallas Cowboys roll into Thanksgiving with a clear offensive mandate: keep the ball funneling to CeeDee Lamb. Head coach Brian Schottenheimer has spent the short week reinforcing two points inside the building—Lamb is healthy and active, and Dallas will feature him early despite a spate of recent drops. Against the Chiefs’ fast, physical secondary, that conviction could decide whether the Cowboys turn a holiday showcase into a springboard for December.

Schottenheimer’s message: “We’re riding with 88”

Internally, the Cowboys haven’t wavered. Coaches believe the simplest cure for a WR1 mini-slump is volume with purpose—scripted touches that settle rhythm, force the defense to declare coverage, and rekindle confidence. Expect:

• First 15 emphasis: Day-one install staples—quick outs, RPO glance, bubble/now screens—plus a scripted shot off play-action to test leverage.

• Motion and stacks: Short jet and return motions to beat press and create free releases, with Lamb toggling between boundary X and slot to hunt matchups.

• Move-the-chains calls on third down: Dallas likes Lamb on pivot, option, and sit routes versus match zone—high-percentage throws to reset the engine.

Schottenheimer’s track record favors identity over overcorrection; the Cowboys won’t shrink the target tree because of one rough afternoon. If anything, Lamb’s early touch count could tick higher than usual to crowd out noise and force Kansas City into coverage concessions.

The drops, in context—and the clean-up plan

Yes, Lamb has left catches on the field this month. Inside The Star, the fixes are mundane but effective:

• Hands sequencing & eyes: Reps that slow the last two frames—eyes through the ball, tuck under contact—especially on crossers where traffic disrupts timing.

• Tempo variety: Catching in full-speed routes after conditioning blocks, not just sterile jugs sessions, to mirror game fatigue.

• Contact acclimation: Pads-on drills with controlled rake attempts from DB coaches to rebuild finish through contact.

Coaches are betting that process beats narrative: if Lamb gets seven to nine quality opportunities in the first half, history says efficiency follows.

How Dallas can free Lamb vs. the Chiefs

Kansas City mixes tight, physical man with split-safety disguises. The antidote is formation diversity and conflict plays that pull defenders out of comfortable leverage:

• 3×1 with Lamb isolated weak: Forces a truth-telling check—if KC brackets, the Cowboys run flood/drive to the trips; if not, Lamb gets slant/fade/stop on the boundary.

• Slot fades vs. pressure looks: Lamb’s chemistry with Dak on slot go punishes late-rotating safeties.

• Bunch-point picks (legal) and fast motion: Create traffic releases that neutralize the jab at the line and turn five-yard wins into YAC.

Watch for tempo after explosives; Schottenheimer likes to go on the ball and re-run mirrored concepts if the corner bails.

Red zone & third down: where 88 must win

Dallas’ holiday script thrives when third-and-manageable stays on schedule. Lamb is the first read on:

• Third-and-4 to -6: Option/pivot versus leverage, with a backside glance if KC rolls help.

• Low red zone (inside the 10): Return/whip, back-shoulder fade, and cross-pick from tight splits. Lamb’s body control makes the back-shoulder particularly deadly when corners overplay the fade.

If the Chiefs squeeze windows, Dallas will counter with quick screens to Lamb as a run-game extension—free yards that keep Brandon Aubrey on the sideline and chains moving.

The ripple effect: what Lamb usage unlocks

Even when he isn’t catching the ball, heavy Lamb involvement tilts the field:

• Isolations create run boxes: Motioning Lamb across the formation can lighten the box for inside zone and duo.

• Clear-outs for George Pickens and tight ends: Lamb’s vertical stems vacate the seam for over routes and sit routes behind linebackers.

• Shot sequencing: Two Lamb hitches can set up the sluggo later; Schottenheimer scripts those counters early.

Look for play-action deep overs to the opposite side once KC tilts safety help Lamb’s way.

What a “win” looks like for Lamb today

It’s not just raw yardage. The Cowboys will take 8–11 targets, 6–8 catches, 70–100 yards, and one high-leverage conversion—third down or red zone—paired with zero turnovers and minimal negative plays. Add one designed touch (jet or screen) each half to keep him in rhythm, and the stat line becomes less important than the coverage gravity he creates.

Brian Schottenheimer isn’t blinking. The Cowboys intend to feed CeeDee Lamb on Thanksgiving and make Kansas City prove it can handle Dallas’ WR1 across formations, tempos, and leverage points. Clean up the finishes, win the early downs, and Lamb’s volume becomes the engine of a statement win rather than a talking point.