It’s always a good day for New York Giants fans when they’re riding high while the Dallas Cowboys are stuck in a pit of misery. Big Blue’s Saturday was eventful enough on its own, an impressive 34-25 preseason victory over the Buffalo Bills brought plenty of good vibes, but what happened in Dallas’ preseason game might have been the cherry on top.
Related: 3 winners (and 2 losers) from Giants' eye-opening preseason win vs Bills
Dallas didn’t play their main starters in their opener against the LA Rams. Fans didn’t get to see Dak Prescott, Micah Parsons, George Pickens, or CeeDee Lamb take the field. It’s a strategy teams use to make sure their stars are healthy heading into the regular season. And while the Cowboys putting up a stinker was hilarious in its own right, it was what happened with Lamb that caught everyone's attention.
But just because you’re sitting doesn’t mean you’re safe. The biggest hit of the day came courtesy of the referee, who accidentally, yet absolutely leveled Lamb on the sideline. It was easily the funniest moment of the game and not exactly what the Cowboys had in mind when they sat their otherworldly receiver. Then again, that’s what happens when you’re not where you’re supposed to be.
CeeDee Lamb gets the BOOM put on him by referee in preseason opener
The hit was legendary. It wasn’t a great form tackle, but the ref didn’t need to wrap Lamb up to make the play. In all fairness, this is what should happen when players and coaches let their egos get in the way and make themselves bigger than the game by doing things they shouldn’t.
Lamb was clearly making the moment about himself because... well, because he plays for the Cowboys and ego is all he knows.
The sidelined receiver had no business illegally being on the field while the game was ongoing. That's a flag. Jonathan Mingo was sent on a deep route, and Lamb prematurely turned around to celebrate with his finger in the air, signaling the inevitability of a touchdown catch. Not only was the ball underthrown and not caught, but the 26-year-old got trucked in the process.
He didn’t get hurt, but his ego was bruised big-time. After he got back up from being put through time and space, the coaching staff was screaming at him to step away from the sideline because he didn’t learn that he shouldn’t have been there the first time.
The Cowboys have had a long offseason. They don’t need their star receiver getting taken out by referees just trying to do their job. Just get out of the way. Watch from the sideline like everyone else.
Nature sure is amazing. Watching a Lamb get smoked by a zebra was the perfect cap to a great Saturday. Preseason wins all around for Big Blue Nation.