CLEVELAND – As he got ready to board the team bus for the airport, Dez Bryant had forgotten his missed opportunities Sunday.
"At the end of the day we got that W," the Cowboys' star receiver said.
The box score shows one 19-yard catch for Bryant in Sunday's win over the Cleveland Browns. He felt he was held by Browns cornerback Joe Haden on at least two would-be catches, including a potential 24-yard touchdown that went through his hands in the second quarter. The Cowboys scored three plays later on a 10-yard run by Ezekiel Elliott.
"He pulled my arm," Bryant said. "I couldn't do anything about it. It is what is.
"I ain't going to lie; I wanted it, though. But it is what it is."
Bryant was clearly frustrated at points during the game. Some calming advice from rookie quarterback Dak Prescott helped.
"Dez is a guy we need. We don't need him getting emotional," Prescott said. "They were going to hold him. I told him. The flags are going to come, flags might not come, but we can't let that affect our game."
Bryant's 19-yard catch moved the offense into the red zone for a touchdown and commanding 28-10 lead at the start of the third quarter. And, as always, his presence created one-on-one matchups for others.
He was happy to see his teammates make most of the catches.
"It's no big deal," he said. "At the end of the day, we're chasing something. It's not a one-man show. Each and every week one guy is going to have to step up. As you've seen, it was Witten. Witten had a hell of a game today. He did outstanding, man. He did his thing."
