20-15 and the Dallas Cowboys finally broke their 2-game losing streak by defeating the New York Giants on Thursday. Dak Prescott and Co. offensively dominated the Giants’ defense. However, even though they eventually won the game, Cowboys’ WR CeeDee Lamb was dumbfounded when he was flagged for his TD celebration.

In the post-game interview, Lamb explained his celebration, mentioning that it was all emotion. He went on to say that he apologised to the Mike McCarthy and has promised that it won’t be repeated this year. Lamb said, “All of the passion and everything came out of me. I told my coach that won’t happen again. I get one a year, and that was my one…It was built up from a long time ago.”

This happened in the second quarter of the game, when Dallas’ QB Dak Prescott hit Lamb on a pass up the sideline. The WR went past Giants’ Deonte Banks, who was lined against him, and hopped into the end zone for a 55-yard touchdown. Lamb then turned back and looked at the pursuing defender as he crossed the goal line. However, to his utter surprise, the referee flagged him for taunting because of it.

Lamb is known for having a poor body language. Last week on Sunday, he had a heated exchange with his team’s QB Dak Prescott after he wasn’t targeted or passed much during the game against the Baltimore Ravens. However, even by his standards, this flagging incident against the Giants was a bit too much. Surely there are obvious instances when taunting is to be called over the years in the NFL, like if after making a tackle, a defender steps over a player, or if there’s a face-to-face altercation between two players. But turning around before scoring a touchdown doesn’t really fit the bill for a “taunting penalty“.

JJ Watt discontent over referee’s taunting penalty call against CeeDee Lamb

Ex-Texans defensive end JJ Watt has voiced his discontent over the referee’s taunting penalty call against the Dallas‘ CeeDee Lamb. It was by far the worst call by the referees in the whole game and many very left unhappy with this decision.

Just after the officials called the penalty on Lamb, the ex-Defensive end took to social media to back the young WR and slam the referee for his decision. He wrote, “These taunting calls are getting out of hand… You’re telling me that was worthy of a penalty?!” 

None the less, the 25-year-old WR had a great performance during Thursday’s clash. He had seven passes for 98 yards and the touchdown from Dak Prescott. In the post game interview, Lamb reflected on his team’s much awaited victory. The WR mentioned that this was a needed win after back-to-back losses in the last couple of weeks. He said, “It’s more joy in here. You lose two in a row, kind of start going through a phase where everybody is kind of uptight.”

With this win, Dallas is currently .500 (2-2) and have a 10 days gap before they are on the road for their next clash against the Pittsburgh Steelers at the Acrisure Stadium on October 7 (Sunday). The loyal fans would surely hope the team uses the momentum from Thursday’s win and keep this streak going as they move further into the season.