Oct 27, 2013; Detroit, MI, USA; Detroit Lions wide receiver Calvin Johnson (81) runs for yards after the catch against the Dallas Cowboys free safety Barry Church (42) during 2nd half of a game at Ford Field. Lions won 31-30. Mandatory Credit: Mike Carter-USA TODAY Sports
Who is better in the Dez Bryant V Calvin Johnson debate? It’s unfair to compare anyone the Calvin Johnson who very well may be the best receiver in the history of the game. But Dez Bryant was the one that drew the comparison early last week and when the dust settled on Sunday’s game Calvin Johnson emerged victorious and so did the Lions.
Bryant had a great game by anyone’s standards finishing with 72 yards and 2 touchdowns. But as Calvin Johnson was putting up historic numbers the pressure of the spot light seemed to be getting to the Cowboys wide out.
Dez Bryant was seen screaming at his teammates on the sideline after quarterback Tony Romo had only targeted him 4 times through 2 1/2 quarters. Conversely, Calvin Johnson had racked up 221 yards at the point on his way to a monster day.
Dez Bryant was seen blowing up twice on the sidelines, once at coaching staff and Tony Romo. The second time at Tight-end Jason Witten. It looked as if Bryant was complaining about not having the ball thrown his way but told reporters later that is was all “positive passion”.
"My passion is always positive,” said Bryant, who had three catches for 72 yards and two touchdowns on six targets in the loss. “It’s always positive. It’s going to remain the same way. I’m not saying anything wrong. I’m not saying anything bad. It’s all positive. That’s just what it is. I’m the nicest person off the field. When I’m on the field, even when I look angry, it’s still all good passion. It’s all good passion. I feel like that’s what we need. I’m going to remain the same way. I feel like I love this game. I love it. In order to win, you’ve got to be passionate about this game. You have to be. You’ve got to let that dog come out and just put it all out there on the line.”"
Surely Calvin Johnson heard the quotes and saw the antics. Megatron could have gloated after the game but he didn’t. He just calmly accepted the game ball for his 329 yard performance. Just another record-setting day for the best receiver ever to play the game. Albeit a record-setting day.
Megatron’s 14 catches and 329 yards set or tied a myriad of franchise and NFL records:
- 329 yards receiving is all-time franchise best
- 329 yards receiving is the second most in an NFL game just 7 yards shy of the all time mark
- The day marks his 5th career 200+ receiving day tieing the NFL all-time record
Clearly Barry Sanders and Calvin Johnson were cut from the same mold. Detroit Is lucky have a second all-time great involved with their franchise. Now it’s up to the Lions to do for Calvin what they couldn’t do for Barry….win a Superbowl.