George Pickens' effort in last week's Dallas Cowboys loss to the Detroit Lions was a big talking point. Over the extended layoff, coach Brian Schottenheimer spoke with Pickens about the situation, but said he wasn't making a mountain out of a mole hill.
"We talked a little bit about it," Schottenheimer said Monday, via the . "In his words, he said, 'Hey Schotty, I didn't play my best game.' I think that, unfortunately, none of us played our best game. But again, I don't worry about George and his love for football and playing this game. You know, for five or six weeks, he was the talk of the sporting world. 'Look at George Pickens.' We didn't coach or play well enough to win that game in Detroit. They beat us. It is what it is."
Pickens generated five catches for 37 yards in the 44-30 loss in Detroit. The struggles were particularly notable after CeeDee Lamb left the contest with a concussion. After the game, former All-Pro corner Richard Sherman blasted Pickens' effort, which was lacking on several routes, allowing defenders to knock the ball away. Pickens took exception to the criticism, blasting Sherman in a .
After three roller-coaster seasons in Pittsburgh, plagued by some of the questions that arose last week, Pickens has turned things around in Dallas this season, generating 78 catches, 1,179 yards and eight touchdowns through 13 games -- all career highs.
Schottenheimer isn't worried about last week's struggles bleeding into the rest of the season for the wideout.
"I think George just loves football," Schottenheimer said. "He loves playing football. It's a place like most of these guys where they get to just be their true selves. I know he's great in practice, and he's great in the games because he loves it."
With the Eagles' loss on Monday night, the Cowboys' playoff prayers remain alive, heading into a Week 15 bout versus the Minnesota Vikings. They'll need a locked-in Pickens against a Brian Flores defense that just pitched a shutout against Washington to keep those hopes afloat.
