Dallas Cowboys: Is Dez Bryant the key to defeating the Giants?

ARLINGTON, TX - AUGUST 19: Dez Bryant
ARLINGTON, TX - AUGUST 19: Dez Bryant /
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The Dallas Cowboys only had three losses in 2016 but two came at the hands of the Giants. Will Dez Bryant prove to be the “X-factor” in this year’s matchup?

The Dallas Cowboys rolled through the 2016 season on their way to a 13-3 record. While one loss came in a game in which Dallas had the number one seed wrapped up, the other two both came from the NFC East rival Giants.

The Cowboys will be looking to show America they can beat the Giants as they take them on Sunday night on national television. While most of the team struggled during both matchups, no one had a tougher time than wide receiver Dez Bryant.

Bryant will look to drastically improve his play against the Giants this season as last year he had one catch for eight yards in the first game and one catch for 10 yards the second game.

With a team that is built around running the ball as the Cowboys are, Bryant is even more important to that cause. Dez will need to find a way to get open and even when he is not open he has to find a way to make some tough catches.

With Bryant leading the way on the outside this will ultimately open up the inside of the Giants defense. The Giants are heavily talented in the secondary as well as the defensive line. The Giants linebacker corps is lacking the skill that the other position groups have.

If Bryant can force the safeties from loading up the box to play the run than offensive coordinator can expose the Giants weak spot.

Having a linebacker one on one against slot wide receivers Cole Beasley or Ryan Switzer would be ideal. Running back Ezekiel Elliott would “feast” on the Giants defense if they were forced to play nickel or dime.

Bryant must prove himself to be an elite wide receiver in the NFL and it starts Week one. Prescott will need to have some faith and Dez will have to gain some trust, but Bryant must succeed for the offense to succeed.

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The Dallas Cowboys have lost three straight to the Giants and will look to Dez Bryant to help end that streak. Bryant has the ability to take over a game and out muscle any defender he may come across, Dallas will need his heart and skill to win this Sunday night.