BALTIMORE – While it was a career day for Dez Bryant, who caught 13 passes and his first two touchdowns of the season, Sunday's game in Baltimore will probably be remembered more for the pass he couldn't catch.
Moments after Bryant hauled in a clutch touchdown grab in the final minute of play, the Cowboys went right back to him for a two-point conversion to tie the game.
This time, the short sideline pass to the front corner of the end zone skipped off Bryant's hands for an incompletion, keeping the Ravens ahead 31-29, the eventual final score.
Bryant was humble and soft-spoken after the game, clearly disappointed with the final outcome. But he was bluntly honest when asked about the two-point attempt.
"I thought it was pass interference," Bryant said, referring to Ravens cornerback Cary Williams. "He had his hand on my back and leaned on me as the ball got there. I'll have to go back and look at it again, but I thought he was on me. Still, I'm not saying I shouldn't have come up with it. I've got to make that catch. I'm disappointed that I didn't."
That's the irony of Bryant's afternoon in Baltimore because he caught just about every other pass thrown his way. Tony Romo targeted Bryant 15 times, with the third-year receiver hauling in 13 to set a career-high, besting the nine catches he had as a rookie in Green Bay in 2010. Bryant also caught his first two touchdowns of the season.
While it wasn't his best day yardage-wise, with just 95 yards against the Ravens, Bryant was often Romo's go-to receiver on third downs.
"I want to be that guy for him," Bryant said of Romo. "He went to me a lot today and I like that. I've got to keep getting open and make even more plays. We didn't win so you never make enough plays when you don't win. I think we've got a good offense and this is something we can build off of."
Bryant now leads the Cowboys with 34 catches this season and is on pace for well over 100 receptions. His career-high is 63, set last season.
