The moral tells us that if you continue poking the beehive, eventually, the bees will sting you. Either the New York Giants haven’t heard that story, or they don’t believe the bees have any stingers.
The Giants are full of confidence after climbing out of a massive hole during a dreadful first half of the season to get back into the playoff discussion. They have won four games in a row and now sit only a game behind the Cowboys in the division.
Skeptics will point out that they have achieved these four wins at the expense of some below-average teams, but the wins still count.
One may question the intelligence of poking a team’s most talented offensive player, but the Giants don’t seem worried.
Now New York welcomes the Cowboys to town. Though Dallas won the first meeting this year, they haven’t swept a season with the Giants for a decade. Technically, Dallas did sweep the 2007 regular season against New York, but the Giants infamously got revenge by upsetting the Cowboys in the playoffs en route to a Super Bowl title.
Historically, neither team has refrained from talking trash leading up to these divisional clashes. Active players, retired players, even the Cowboys’ loquacious owner have publicly fired verbal shots in the past.
This time around, the Giants have promised Dallas a physical whipping. In particular, Dez Bryant has been singled out as trash talk target. Giants safety Will Hill says he plans to get his hands on Bryant and is hopeful the young receiver will struggle when his route is disrupted.
"He has to get in his route in order to get the ball," Hill told NJ.com.
One may question the intelligence of poking a team’s most talented offensive player, but the Giants don’t seem to be worried about any repercussions.
It’s hard to blame them. The last time we saw Bryant, he was being held to one catch during a humiliating loss to the Saints. The Giants are aware of Bryant’s volatile personality and would be all too happy to prod him into another sideline tantrum that leads to a Dallas meltdown.
That’s why this is such a magnificent opportunity for Bryant and the Cowboys. The bully is once again up to his old tricks, trying to goad Dallas into curling up and backing down from a fight.
Should Dez Bryant and the Dallas Cowboys take down the bully in his own house, they will not only pull further ahead of New York in the division but will serve notice to future opponents that Dallas can sting like a bee.
Dez Bryant needs to rise to the occasion when Dallas plays New York.
Luka Modric #10, of Croatia, is challenged by Harry Kane, #9 of England, during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Group L match between England and Croatia at Dallas Stadium on June 17. Photo by Richard Pelham/Getty Images