With DeVonta Smith and Dontayvion Wicks sidelined with injuries, all eyes were on rookie receiver Makai Lemon on Monday Night Football.

Expected to take on a larger role in the offense, Lemon did exactly that. He played 56 of the Eagles' 62 offensive snaps against the Cowboys—on the field for more than 90% of the team's plays.

"Whatever the team asks me to do, just making sure I do that and (show) up every week," Lemon said after the game.

The first-round pick out of the University of Southern California has seen his role and production continue to grow over the course of the season. After recording 65 receiving yards through the first four games, Lemon 's production jumped with a 49-yard performance against Jacksonville in Week 5.

Under the primetime lights, Lemon stepped up and produced his best game so far as an Eagle. The rookie caught seven out of eight targets for 67 yards and a touchdown – the first of his young NFL career. Lemon is the first Eagles rookie to have at least five receptions, 50 receiving yards and a receiving touchdown in a game since DeVonta Smith did so three times in his 2021 rookie season.

Most importantly, he looked at ease in the offense.

"The more that I progress throughout the season, I definitely feel like it's getting more comfortable, more familiar with the game," Lemon said. "The more you do something, the more you're going to get comfortable at it. So, that's where I'm at."

Lemon believes that his ability on underneath routes can be a strength in the offense moving forward. Known in college for his quick release and run after the catch talent, he showed that he can also take advantage of those strengths at the next level. On the opening drive of the second half, the Eagles faced a 4th-and-1 at Dallas' 39-yard line. Instead of running the ball or showing the Tush Push formation that had drawn the Cowboys' defense into the neutral zone earlier in the game, Offensive Coordinator Sean Mannion trusted his rookie receiver.

On play action, Lemon's acting skills were on display – fitting for a Southern California alumnus. Lemon faked that he was getting ready to block Dallas cornerback DaRon Bland, then cut left to run a short crossing route, losing linebacker DeMarvion Overshown. Quarterback Tanner McKee delivered the ball to a wide-open Lemon at the 35-yard line, which was already enough for the first down, and the receiver tuned up field for 11 extra yards.

After weeks of being praised for doing the little things right, making plays that don't show up on a stat sheet, the drive ended with Lemon scoring a touchdown to give the Eagles a lead.

On third-and-goal from 4 yards out, the Eagles were in trips right with three receivers to the right. Initially the inside receiver to the left of Cooper and Elijah Moore, Lemon motioned out wide and ran a slant route. With Overshown in zone defense, McKee delivered the ball to Lemon slightly behind, anticipating the big hit. Bouncing off the contact, Lemon maintained possession and spun backward into the end zone.

"It's definitely a blessing, definitely for sure. Give all the praise to the Lord for that. Flush it, got a new week coming up, new opportunities, got a job to do, so just trying to get better," Lemon said of scoring his first career touchdown. "If that read (was) not open, then we did have other reads, but just making sure I take my one step, go in, Tanner gave me a great ball. The receivers did their job so I could get in the box."

While he credits his teammates, Lemon's second effort was the deciding factor in the touchdown.

"Makai is a great player," McKee said of his receiver. "He's a gritty player. He's a tough player. He can make people miss with the ball in his hands. He can run people over and he has great hands. That touchdown pass that he caught was a little bit behind him. They had a whole player that was coming across the middle, so I wanted to throw it to his body. It was a little more outside his frame than I wanted it, and he made a great grab. I just think he's a really good player."

A lot went into the play. Lemon had to run the route, grab the ball thrown behind him, anticipate and absorb the hit from Overshown, and manage to stay up enough to break the plane. According to Lemon, those types of plays are a result of all the work he's done behind closed doors in the weight room, so that "once you're in the game, you're flowing."

Part of the flow is developing familiarity with your quarterback. The growing connection between McKee and Lemon was on display against the Cowboys.

"The more that you get reps with a quarterback, the more that you're going to be able to feel each other out, get more comfortable with each other," Lemon said. "I definitely feel like he did a good job, but as a whole unit, we all got to be better for sure, not just one person."

It's been a season of adversity for the team and the rookie, but Monday was a major milestone for the Fred Biletnikoff Award-winning receiver. When life gives you a Lemon, make lemonade.

"It's definitely a blessing for sure. Definitely one I'm going to remember forever, but you got to keep going," Lemon said. "You got a whole season ahead, new opportunities. So, just keep pushing, but definitely blessed to get that opportunity tonight."

- Written by Caroline Connor