George Pickens just dropped a bombshell, telling reporters Wednesday that he believes the Dallas Cowboys’ wide receiver duo, featuring himself and CeeDee Lamb, is flat out better than the Cincinnati Bengals’ pairing of Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins heading into the 2026 NFL season. Yeah, you read that right. Pickens wasn’t shy about it, stating, “we definitely feel like we’re the (NFL’s) best (WR tandem).” It’s a bold claim, especially when you consider the talent he’s stacking himself against.
“Splash Plays” And The Numbers Behind The Talk
While Pickens did give props to Chase and Higgins, he didn’t back down from his stance, explaining his reasoning quite clearly: “I definitely think me and CeeDee have made a lot more splash plays.” And when you look at their first season together in 2025, it’s tough to argue that they weren’t exactly electrifying. Pickens himself went off for 93 catches, a staggering 1,429 yards, and nine touchdowns. Lamb, even though he only played 14 games, still hauled in 75 receptions for 1,077 yards and three scores. Combined? That’s an insane 2,506 receiving yards, which ranked them No. 2 among all NFL duos, just barely trailing the Detroit Lions’ Amon-Ra St. Brown and Jameson Williams.
But it’s not just the total yardage. Pickens and Lamb truly were the more explosive duo. Their combined average of 14.9 yards per reception in 2025 tells you everything you need to know about those “splash plays” Pickens was talking about. That’s a huge number, showing they weren’t just picking up first downs, they were creating big gains downfield.
The Bengals’ Side: Context Is Everything
Now, let’s be fair. Chase and Higgins are absolutely elite, and their 2025 numbers were still very good. Chase pulled in 125 passes for 1,412 yards and eight scores, while Higgins added 59 catches for 846 yards and 11 touchdowns. Their combined 12.3 yards per reception isn’t bad by any stretch. But here’s the kicker: the Bengals’ duo had to deal with a lot of chaos at quarterback last season. Star passer Joe Burrow missed nine games due to a toe injury, forcing them to play with three different starting quarterbacks. That’s a massive hurdle for any receiving corps, and it absolutely has to be factored into any comparison.
Plus, let’s not forget what Chase and Higgins have already done. They were major players in getting the Bengals to Super Bowl LVI and then making it to the AFC title game the very next season. That kind of big-game experience and proven success is hard to overlook. This isn’t just about raw numbers; it’s about what you do when the lights are brightest.
So, who’s the best? Pickens has thrown down the gauntlet, and he’s got the 2025 stats to back up his claim for now. With the 2026 season kicking off, both the Cowboys and Bengals are going to be trying to maintain their high-powered offenses. This season, the race for the league’s top receiving duo is going to be one to watch. Will Pickens and Lamb keep making those splash plays, or will Chase and Higgins, with a healthy Burrow, reclaim their crown? The league is waiting to see who finishes on top.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Bleacher Report.
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