Dez Bryant

Josh Norman shuts down Cowboys' Dez Bryant

Dallas Cowboys wideout Dez Bryant caught 2-of-8 targets for 26 yards in the Cowboys' Week 12 loss to the Carolina Panthers.

What It Means:

Bryant played 49 snaps in this one. He lined up six times in the slot and outside on 43 plays. He was shadowed by Josh Norman on all 43 of his perimeter snaps. While Norman has moved to the forefront of the NFL Defensive Player of the Year discussion, this is shaping up as a likely lost season for Bryant, who missed extensive early-year action with a foot fracture and will have to deal without Tony Romo (collarbone) for the remainder of the season.

With his eight targets, Bryant was only able to amass 2.26 Reception Net Expected Points (NEP). Without Romo, Bryant and the Cowboys' pass catchers will have a tough time producing consistently. Dallas plays next Monday against the Washington Redskins, who rank 20th in Adjusted Defensive Passing NEP per play.