3 surprising NFL teams rank behind Cowboys in top 5 contested catches in 2026

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3 surprising NFL teams rank behind Cowboys in top 5 contested catches in 2026

Lou Landers

Wed, October 28, 2026 at 5:04 PM UTC ·

3 min read

Cowboys lead the way, but Packers are making a statement

NFL: Dallas Cowboys at Green Bay Packers

Oct 18, 2026; Green Bay, Wisconsin, USA; Green Bay Packers wide receiver Christian Watson (9) during the game against the Dallas Cowboys at Lambeau Field. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-Imagn Images Credit: IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect (Reuters)

Dallas has 55 contested catches this season, comfortably ahead of the rest of the NFL. With CeeDee Lamb and George Pickens leading the way, the Cowboys have two receivers capable of making difficult catches in traffic.

Lamb has been particularly effective in contested situations, converting 52.9% of his contested targets into catches through seven games, while Pickens has posted a 45.5% contested catch rate.

The Green Bay Packers are the other team on the list that makes plenty of sense. Green Bay has 33 contested catches, and the combination of Matthew Golden and Christian Watson has become a major part of the team's passing attack.

Golden has 540 receiving yards through seven games, while Watson has 595 yards and six touchdowns.

Steelers, Texans and Saints are the real surprises

NFL: Pittsburgh Steelers at Cleveland Browns

Oct 1, 2026; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver DK Metcalf (4) makes a catch over Cleveland Browns cornerback Tyson Campbell (7) in the second half at Huntington Bank Field. Mandatory Credit: Scott Galvin-Imagn Images Credit: IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect (Reuters)

The biggest surprises are Pittsburgh, Houston and New Orleans.

The Steelers have 34 contested catches, despite entering the season without what many would consider one of the NFL's deepest receiver rooms. DK Metcalf headlines the group.

Houston is even more interesting. The Texans have 39 contested catches, good for second in the NFL, and Nico Collins has been one of the league's most effective players at the catch point. Collins leads qualified receivers with a 66.7% contested catch rate.

Then there are the Saints, who have 32 contested catches. New Orleans does not immediately jump out as a team that should rank this highly, but Chris Olave and Devaughn Vele have both contributed. Olave has won 50% of his contested opportunities, while Vele has converted 45.5% of his contested targets.

That makes this list particularly interesting. The Cowboys have the star power to explain their position, and the Packers have emerging talent in Golden and Watson. But seeing the Texans, Steelers and Saints ahead of many of the NFL's traditionally loaded receiver rooms is one of the more unexpected statistical developments of the 2026 season.