War! Who wins between Dez Bryant and Josh Norman?

Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Dez Bryant is set to face off against Washington Redskins cornerback Josh Norman twice, including a Thanksgiving Day rematch.

It’s the match many can’t wait for: Dallas Cowboys wide-out Dez Bryant against Washington Redskins cornerback Josh Norman.

Norman signed a five-year contract worth $75 million to wear the burgundy and gold. The 28-year-old will receive $50 million guaranteed plus a $15 million signing bonus. The six-foot, 190 pound corner was an unrestricted free agent after the Carolina Panthers rescinded the franchise tag over him.

He was set to earn $13.952 million had the Panthers kept his services.

Now he will face one of the most dynamic players in the league in Dez Bryant two times a year.

Bryant versus Norman will happen on September 18th (Week 2) and November 24th (Week 12) of the 2016 NFL Regular season.

Last Thanksgiving, Bryant and Norman had some strong words for each other. And it wasn’t about admiration or the Dallas weather.

Norman, a Panther then, helped lead his team to a 33-14 road victory at AT&T Stadium. The win propelled Carolina to a 11-0 record, while leaving the Cowboys standing at 3-8. It was the first time the Panthers appeared in a Thanksgiving contest.

And it was a memorable one for them too.

Quarterback Tony Romo was intercepted three times. His season ended that day after breaking his collarbone for a second time in 2015.

Things didn’t fare better for Bryant either. He was locked with Norman totaling eight targets, capturing only two balls for 26 yards and no scores.

Afterwards, Norman had a personal message to the Dallas Cowboys: get Bryant’s $70 million back.

Of course, Norman was talking about Bryant’s new contract, a five-year deal worth $70 million ($45 million guaranteed).

But 2016 could be very different year for both Bryant and Norman.

Bryant didn’t have a healthy quarterback last Thanksgiving. The entire team was a ghost of their 2014 shell, never living up to the expectations due to injuries and player changes. Norman and company were pouncing on a wounded team, taking full credit of the mauling as if the match was even to begin with.

Norman, this time around, won’t have the benefit of riding the bus charter with one of the best defenses in the league. Instead, the Redskins will rely on the fifth year pro to earn his coin, to live up to his statistically handsome 2015 year.

The Washington defense gave up 6090 total yards last season, finishing the year with the 28th ranked defense. The Cowboys finished 17th, giving up 5570 total yards. In terms of defending the pass, the Redskins gave up 4128 passing yards (258.0 per game average), which is good for 25th in the league.

The Washington pass rush — like Dallas — was suspect in 2015 too. They recorded 27 sacks all season, which was only 9 more than the worse team overall.

It’s no wonder why the Redskins were desperate for cornerback help despite tight salary cap restrictions and looming contracts set to expire soon.

For the Dallas Cowboys, the narrative is different. The Boys selected a blue-chip player in running back Ezekiel Elliott. Romo is getting healthier. So is Dez Bryant. All the chips seem to be there, and the confidence meter is needling in the green spectrum.

Next: Cowboys now own league’s most balanced offense

With a more balanced offense, a recipe that made Dallas such a dangerous team in 2014, defenses, including all-pro corners like Norman may have a hard time locking down players, let alone a monster like Dez Bryant.

Norman may have mocked the “X” with his arms last Thanksgiving, but now Bryant will get at least two chances to correct the cornerback’s celebration technique.