Dez gets better of mum Jenkins
ARLINGTON, Texas — All Janoris Jenkins would say afterward was “no comment.’’ Many different questions, but the same answer. No comment.
Jenkins and the Giants came out on the losing end, 19-3, in their season opener against the Cowboys at AT&T Stadium on Sunday night and the cornerback called Jackrabbit engaged in another spirited duel with Dez Bryant, the Cowboys’ best receiver.
Jenkins last season held Bryant to two receptions for 18 yards as the Giants swept the two-game series. This time around, Bryant was targeted nine times by Dak Prescott and came away with only two catches for 43 yards.
“It was fun, it’s always fun,’’ Bryant said. “I’m looking forward to playing him again. I feel like he got lucky. He caught some big breaks and that’s how it goes.’’
Late in the second quarter, Prescott looked deep down the left sideline for Bryant, with Jenkins step-for-step with the Cowboys’ top receiver. The pass fell incomplete, but Jenkins was called for pass interference — it did not look as if he did much to impede Bryant — for a 21yard penalty to the Giants 15yard line. Two plays later, the Cowboys had their first touchdown.
In the third quarter, Bryant got inside Jenkins on a slant and as Jenkins slipped, Bryant scooted for a 35-yard gain. In the fourth quarter, Jenkins ran with Bryant as a deep pass in the end zone fell incomplete.
Right tackle Bobby Hart said he twisted an ankle early in the game. He remained in the contest and went for X-rays before exiting the stadium.
Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie on the impact of the loss: “It feels like more than one game. Cowboys … division opponent, opening game … that one hurt. I know what kind of team we’ve got. We’re definitely going to come back from this.’’
B.J. Goodson, making his first NFL start, was sensational, with 18 total tackles at middle linebacker.
“B.J. played awesome, flying around, playing within the defense and making every call and flying to the ball,’’ Landon Collins said. ... Strange play in the second quarter: It looked as if Sterling Shepard clearly fumbled after a hit by linebacker Jaylon Smith, but the ball was given to the Giants and, although Cowboys coach Jason Garrett was screaming to get the attention of the official, he did not throw the challenge flag.