HOUSTON -- Before Sunday, CeeDee Lamb never had played a game inside Reliant Stadium despite growing up 30 miles southwest of Houston.
Safe to say the Dallas Cowboys wide receiver will not soon forget what he did in his team's 34-30 win against the Texans on Sunday.
Lamb caught 17 passes for 189 yards, including the game-winning, 12-yard touchdown with 40 seconds to go, as a large number of family members watched from the stands.
As he stood surrounded by cameras and cell phones inside the locker room, Lamb said it meant "everything."
"My grandma came out, that was really good to see," said Lamb, who had attended a game at the stadium as a kid growing up in Richmond, Texas. "She didn't really come to many of my games and really do all the hoorah and screaming. So it was good to see my family here. It's been a long road to end up in this situation and I'm grateful for it. And just coming back and seeing a lot of things that I'm familiar with growing up."
Dak Prescott said he was unaware Lamb had 17 catches until coach Brian Schottenheimer announced it in the locker room after the game. The only person with more receptions in a game in team history is tight end Jason Witten, who had 18 against the New York Giants in 2012.
"I'm the one throwing it, how do I not realize that?" said Prescott, who targeted Lamb 21 times. "But that's a guy just getting open, helping this team, doing whatever he can to help us -- screens, being physical, after he gets the ball in his hands he runs like a running back. He's an impressive player. We're blessed to have him and super, super thankful to have him. Glad he had a hell of a day like this in his hometown."
Lamb's 17 catches were the most by any player since Keenan Allen (18 in Week 3, 2023) and the most by a player that also had a touchdown reception since Brandon Marshall (Week 14, 2009).
And the 17th catch might have been one of the easiest.
On second and 10, Lamb was matched against Texans safety Jalen Pitre. With Pitre using outside leverage, Lamb forced the safety even wider at the start of his route before breaking back inside for the comfortable throw from Prescott.
"I knew just from watching the film throughout the week and watching the film with the coaches, hearing them put it in, seeing exactly how their defense plays, knew it'd be a touchdown," Prescott said. "Credit to Shotty of calling it at the perfect time. And soon as it was called, I knew it was a touchdown."
On the winning drive, Lamb, who has recorded a career high-tying three straight 100-yard games, caught five passes.
"I love a big game. I feel like every game is a big game because just coming out victorious you always want to end up on the right side of things," Lamb said. "Obviously as we all know, the right side is wins. But along with that, it's a lot of execution. It's a lot of confidence. And through all the madness, you've got to be calm."
Before Sunday, Lamb had not had more than 13 catches in a game (he had done that three times prior). His 189 yards were the third most he has had in a game; in 2023, he had 227 against the Detroit Lions in Week 17 and 191 against the Philadelphia Eagles in Week 9.
It was his 30th game with at least 100 yards. Since 2020, only Justin Jefferson (37) and Davante Adams (32) have more. It was also his seventh game with at least 150 yards. In team history, only Hall of Famer and fellow No. 88 Michael Irvin (10) has more.
Lamb passed another No. 88 in the Cowboys' record book, moving past Hall of Fame Drew Pearson for receiving yards for fourth in team history. And by Thursday, when the Cowboys play the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, he could be third all-time, trailing Tony Hill 74 yards (Witten has 12,977; Irvin, 11,904).
"Right now, I can't really fathom it, but I will say I'm grateful for the opportunity," Lamb said. "It's a lot of emotions going through me right now. As far as preparing for the next game, that's how I motivate myself: what can I possibly do the next game to capitalize off this one. But a moment of gratitude. I'm definitely happy to be in this position, and I'm happy for the opportunity and I'm looking forward to breaking more records. That's nothing toward the guys ahead of me but here I come."