Cowboys fall to Giants as Dez Bryant and offense struggles

The New York Giants proved for the second time this season that they have the key to shutting down the Dallas Cowboys offense, with a 10-7 victory in a defensive struggle at Met Life Stadium on Sunday night.

Rookie running back Ezekiel Elliott extended his lead in the race for the rushing title with 107 yards on 24 carries, but was unable to reach the end zone for only the fifth time this season.

Dak Prescott started off well with a 31-yard touchdown pass to Terrance Williams in the first quarter, only to struggle with completions against a Giants defense that has yet to allow a quarterback to throw for more than two touchdowns in a game this season.

But it was all-pro wide receive Dez Bryant who struggled the most on Sunday, managing to catch only one of ten targets for ten yards, with his one catch resulting in a game-clinching fumble that was recovered by Giants safety Landon Collins.

“Man, it’s just an unfortunate situation. I’m at a loss for words,” Bryant said to reporters after the game.  “I can’t believe it came out. But it did. We’re making too many mistakes, and it cost us.”

Bryant and Prescott were not in synch from the opening kickoff, as both of Prescott’s career-high two interceptions came on passes to Bryant. One  came on a deep ball the Bryant failed to locate in the air, while another occurred on a quick slant that where Bryant slipped and cornerback Jenoris Jenkins made an excellent diving catch.

“You gotta give them credit. They played great defense,” Bryant said in a quote on ESPN Dallas. “They played great defense all four quarters. You gotta give it to them.”

Dallas returns home week 15 to take on the surging Tampa Bay Bucs, a young but confident team that shut down Drew Brees over the weekend to earn their 8th win of the season and a share of the NFL south lead.

Be sure to listen to the action live and in FM stereo on ESPN Radio 101.7 The TEAM.