Cowboys receiver Ryan Flournoy had a superb game against the Lions, but that means nothing to him.
NFL football is all about moments, and for the second time this season, Dallas Cowboys receiver Ryan Flournoy took his with both hands.
With CeeDee Lamb ruled out of the Week 14 loss to the Detroit Lions in the third quarter, it was "Flo's" time to step up.
And man, did he.
With George Pickens being clamped down (leading to questions about Pickens’ Cowboys future), Flournoy exploded for 115 yards and a touchdown from nine receptions, making it the second time this season he's surpassed 100 yards in a game.
It is now back-to-back good weeks for Ryan, after 34 yards from three receptions in the Thanksgiving win over the Kansas City Chiefs, as he has surely not established himself as Dallas' WR3.
“The opportunity came, CeeDee going down, we want to win,” Flournoy said. “We want to win, want to win the Super Bowl. So, it's just me wanting to win. It was nothing I did. It was just me going out there playing hard, physical."
Despite the outcome - which has the Dallas coach wishing they'd get another shot at 'em (see Brian Schottenheimer On ‘Tired’ Cowboys vs. Lions: ‘I’d Love to Play ‘Em Again!’), Flournoy's performance feels like a moment in his career where he can truly take off and become a bigger part of Schottenheimer's offense.
His second 100-yard game saw Dak Prescott trust Ryan on multiple third down throws, not to mention his 42-yard touchdown.
But is it bittersweet that his performance came in a loss?
“Not sweet, it's bitter,” Flournoy added. “I did all that to win, none of them stats really impressed me. I really just want to go out there, play with these guys, have fun, and just win. So, next week coming out fast, physical, we attacking.”
Flournoy is right, to an extent, but there's no denying that he is beginning to earn the trust and respect of the coaching staff in ways other players aren't.
Having been a bit-part player for most of the year, in the last two weeks, Flournoy has put together multiple good performances.
Yeah, he might say his performance should get lost in the wash because Dallas lost, but for us? Flo deserves to be celebrated for yet another impressive outing.
And maybe, a coming-of-age moment on the biggest stage.