Dallas Cowboys star receiver George Pickens, like All-Pro CeeDee Lamb, was surprisingly benched for the opening series against the Las Vegas Raiders by Brian Schottenheimer.
Citing the pair "missed some things," Schottenheimer pulled his two best weapons and forced them to watch the offense go three-and-out on the first drive.
But once the pair got into the game, they obliterated Las Vegas, in particular Pickens, who monstered the defense for 144 yards and a touchdown on nine carries, with Lamb posting 66 yards and a touchdown of his own.
For Dak Prescott, who threw four touchdowns to four different receivers, he loves how George plays the game, but made a point that the discipline side of what happened means there has to be the right balance for the receiver.
"He's a one-of-a-kind guy,” Prescott said with a smile. “Special individual, elite, has a great feel for the game, loves the game, plays the game like a kid. When you watch him play, the energy, the celebrations, that's contagious. It's one thing, but the discipline, right, that there is a part of that we've all got to tighten up, and GP knows that.
"He responded to it by the way that he came out, the intensity he played with, and the effort he had. But he's a special individual. There is a balance to it, though.”
More: Cowboys' George Pickens earns incredible comparison to top-5 all-time WR for a very specific reason
Is Pickens Dallas' true No. 1 WR?
After Monday night's performance, and in fact, his performance as a whole this season, there are some who think so.
And let's not forget Lamb is an All-Pro in his own right.
I'm not there yet, but Pickens has certainly developed a good connection with Prescott, and he is on track to have his best-ever season in the NFL. Granted, Lamb has helped a lot with that, helping shift coverage away from George.
But also, Pickens stepped up when Lamb was injured, so he has proven he can carry the offense.
As far as who is the Cowboys' true No. 1 receiver? That is quite the conversation starter, and right now, I'd be happy with either, and Dallas is in the fortunate position to have two genuine No. 1 weapons to play with.
More Cowboys news:
- CeeDee Lamb, George Pickens benched: Why Cowboys WRs sat out first drive on Monday Night Football vs. Raiders
- Cowboys honor Marshawn Kneeland with T-shirts, locker ahead of Raiders game
- Cowboys vs. Raiders final score, results: Cowboys rout Raiders in first game since Marshawn Kneeland's passing
- Dak Prescott stats: Cowboys QB throws four touchdowns in blowout win over Raiders