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© David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports

Bill Belichick wants to speak to the manager, and pronto, because he didn't order the lamb. But while the New England Patriots would love to send the plate back to the kitchen, they can't, and are instead strapped with a 2-4 record after Dak Prescott and the Dallas Cowboys used former first-round pick CeeDee Lamb to serve one final meal on a green mile stroll that saw the Patriots suffer a 35-29 overtime loss at Gillette Stadium on Sunday afternoon. 

The execution on the final play of the game was master class, with Prescott recognizing the defense's plot to stop running back Ezekiel Elliott on first-and-10 from the Patriots 35-yard line, and instead going with a pass play that sent Lamb over the top in single coverage forced by both tight ends running decoy routes underneath -- to make their respective defenders bite down in man coverage. 

And with a perfect pass by Prescott came a perfect grab by Lamb, who strolled into the end zone and instead of getting angry at a late push to the ground by defensive back Jalen Mills, turned to him, flashed most of his 32 teeth and waved goodbye.

"It was the best feeling ever, honestly," Lamb said in his post-game press conference. "I think I got the best of that matchup."

He clearly did, along with any others the Patriots tried to throw his way in Week 6. Lamb not only secured the win in overtime, but he made several critical catches along the way that put the Cowboys in position to strike the final blow. On one play in particular, with the Patriots nursing a 29-26 lead and with only 42 seconds remaining in regulation, Dallas needed a big play on third-and-25 after an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty on left guard Connor Williams threatened to be the one mistake they couldn't overcome.

One snap later, Lamb reeled in a 24-yard catch from Prescott to take the Cowboys from their own 45-yard line to the Patriots 31-yard marker, putting Greg Zuerlein in position to attempt a game-tying field goal he'd go on to make. And yes, it was Mills in coverage on that play as well.

"It was an all-or-nothing type deal, understanding that we were behind," Lamb said. "We were down by three at the time, and Coach Kellen [Moore] called my number on that route. It was kind of a redemption on myself. I had a lot of confidence in the play call."

In all, Lamb finished the day with a career-best 149 receiving yards to go along with his two touchdowns, while also tying the franchise record with Herschel Walker for fastest Cowboy to 100 career receptions (22 games). 

"It was an unbelievable feeling," said Lamb. "I was expecting somebody to come up behind me [on the final catch], but I turned around to my left and [Mills] was like three steps behind me. I was really surprised, and then I just walked in."

As difficult as it might be to believe -- given Lamb's prowess at wide receiver -- it's also his first walk-off TD since high school, and only second one ever in his football life.

Lamb's chemistry with Prescott was nearly instantaneous in 2020, leading him to surpass "Bullet" Bob Hayes for most receptions by a rookie Cowboys receiver, and setting the two up to hit another level in Year 2, once Prescott returned from injury. Lamb isn't always on fire each week, but he also doesn't have to be, when considering that's how the Cowboys keep teams off-balance -- making it difficult to ascertain who'll be the go-to guy on any given game day.

But when they needed to make magic on Sunday, they did, and it was nearly telepathic.

"It was kind of a mutual understanding," said Lamb. "The preparation the coaches have given us week-in and week-out just preparing us for moments like this. The team understood the situation and the assignment. We all came together, and our backs were against the wall. All we had were each other." 

And now the Cowboys are 5-1 with a three game lead atop the NFC East, having used Lamb to cook the Patriots goose.