Watch: Bryant brings down 56-yard bomb to set up Cowboys TD

For as much as opposing defenses must dedicate resources to limiting a dominant Dallas Cowboys running game, the presence of an All-Pro receiver on the outside also keeps them honest.

Dez Bryant showed exactly why teams can't afford to forget about him in the second quarter Thursday night, slipping by the Minnesota Vikings' secondary to haul in a 56-yard heave from Dak Prescott.

The big-play strike set Dallas up on the goal line, and rookie sensation Ezekiel Elliott punched it in for his 12th rushing touchdown of the year on the following snap.