Bryant Leaving Little Doubt About Value
By Ben Rogers | @BenRogers
PHILADELPHIA (105.3 THE FAN) -- Eagles safety Malcolm Jenkins locked horns with Cowboys wide receiver Dez Bryant about two hours before opening kickoff on Sunday night. Cowboys fans may want to send him a 'thank you' note for throwing rocks at a beehive.
In arguably the biggest game of his professional career, Bryant put his team on his back with 6 receptions (on 7 targets) for 114 yards, and 3 touchdowns. No word yet from Jenkins on the degree of sting.
The TDs were huge of course, but two key catches on the Cowboys' most important drive of the game were massive as well. The Eagles had just rattled off 24 consecutive points to quickly erase the Cowboys 21-0 lead. With 5:42 to go in the 3rd quarter, Dallas was staring a full-scale meltdown directly in the eyes.
Spiraling back down towards the Earth in a complete nosedive on both sides of the ball, this was the crossroads moment of the 2014 season. With their offense limping back onto the field after mustering just 3 punts and a fumble on their previous 4 drives, Romo and company desperately needed to move the football. And that's exactly what they did, going 78 yards in 8 plays, in 5:03.
Though the drive ultimately ended in an extremely important 2-yard DeMarco Murray touchdown run that gave the Cowboys the lead for good, Bryant had a pair of 2nd-and-long, 22-yard receptions on the drive that were immeasurable. Reclaiming the lead was massive, but giving their huffing and puffing defense (which had just allowed 3 TDs and a field goal on the previous 4 drives) time to catch their breath was crucial as well.
The following 5 Eagles offensive possessions netted just 3 points and included a punt, two interceptions and a fumble. Clearly, the much-needed rest served them well.
In a league full of parity, elite playmakers who can consistently deliver game-deciding plays are worth every penny. They're the great separators in what has become an overcrowded parity party. Dez Bryant is a difference maker. On Sunday night, he left little doubt about that.
So once again… in the wise words of "Teddy KGB" from 'Rounders': "Pay him. Pay that man his money."
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