EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. – Dez Bryant entered MetLife Stadium in the middle of a terrific four-game stretch, producing four touchdowns and pushing his yards-per-catch average to a career-best 17.1 (sixth in the NFL).
Yet Sunday night was forgettable for Bryant and the entire Cowboys' offense.
The star receiver produced only one catch for the second time this season against the New York Giants. He was the intended target on both of quarterback Dak Prescott's interceptions.
And, perhaps most frustrating for Bryant, he fumbled away a first-down catch in the final three minutes with the Cowboys attempting to tie or take the lead in an eventual 10-7 loss.
"I'm at a loss for words," said Bryant, who totaled two catches for 18 yards in the two division games against the Giants. "I can't believe it came out, but it did. We made too many mistakes and it cost us."
On Prescott's first interception, which occurred on the third play of the second quarter, Bryant said he slipped on the slick field soaked by a light snowfall before kickoff.
Prescott blamed himself for the second interception, throwing deep to Bryant in the middle of double coverage.
"That was just a bad play," he said.
Similar to their Week 1 meeting, the Giants devoted extra attention to Bryant for much of the game, rolling a safety his way on vertical and crossing routes. But too often the Cowboys couldn't take advantage of single coverage on their other receivers. Their 13 first downs matched a season-low from the previous game at Minnesota.
"You've got to give them credit. They played great defense," Bryant said. "They played great defense for all four quarters. You've got to give it to them."
