The Cowboys offense is not going through its prime, and this is partly due to the running game. Running back Ezekiel Elliott has a bone bruise on one knee, and this has meant that he is not performing at a good level. On the other hand, Tony Pollard has performed better in recent games. And this undoubtedly reopens the debate as Dallas’ starting running back.
A clear example of this was Thursday night’s game against the Saints. It is fair to point out that New Orleans’ running defense was at a good level, preventing the Cowboys from establishing the attack in this way. In fact, they limited Elliott to just 13 carries for 45 yards, the longest being just 10 yards. And while the Saints also limited Pollard, he was much more decisive thanks to a great play.
In the third quarter of the game, Pollard had a 58-yard rush that ended in a touchdown. This allowed the Cowboys to have a 10-point lead at that point in the game. Pollard finished the game with 7 carries for 71 yards. Yet making such a play against a solid running defense is the kind of play expected of a starting running back in Dallas.
Theres goes Tony Pollard ????♂️????
Down the sideline for a 58-yard touchdown! @Tp__5
????: #DALvsNO on NFLN/FOX/PRIME VIDEO
????: https://t.co/LMzEctbvnL pic.twitter.com/a997wSA6QS— NFL (@NFL) December 3, 2021
It’s worth noting that Tony Pollard’s scoring run has been the longest by a Cowboys player since 2016. That year, then-rookie Ezekiel Elliott scored after rushing 60 yards. On the other hand, Pollard’s has also been Dallas’ longest carry since Alfred Morris’s in 2017 against the Rams. Morris had a 70-yard rush, although it did not end in a touchdown.
But that is not all. Thursday’s was Pollard’s fourth career TD run of more than 40 yards. This places him third in this section in Cowboys history. That statistic is led by two Cowboys legends such as Tony Dorsett and Emmitt Smith, with seven each.
Tony Pollard’s 58-yard touchdown run was the longest of his career and the longest rush by a Cowboy since Alfred Morris’ 70-yard run against the LA Rams in 2017 (10/1).
— Dallas Cowboys Public Relations (@DallasCowboysPR) December 3, 2021
As we said, the Cowboys’ offense is not in its prime, and the running game is no exception. However, Tony Pollard is showing that he should be Dallas’ starting running back right now. Or at least have more snaps than Ezekiel Elliott.
A clear example of that was his incredible 100-yard kickback against the Raiders in week 12. That play led to a touchdown that brought Dallas back to life in that game. In addition, Pollard also posted a significant 31-yard gain against the Chiefs in Week 11. And this has been much more than Elliott has achieved in recent games.
Tony Pollard with a kickoff return for a Touchdown! #DallasCowboys #Cowboys pic.twitter.com/keJxQtU8HF
— Dallas Cowboys Collaboration (@mailman_phil) November 26, 2021
Besides, there are other statistics in favor of Tony Pollard. According to the statistics portal Pro Football Focus (PFF), the running back has caused 23 failed tackles in 100 carries in the 2021 season. Meanwhile, Elliott has only forced 15 in 160 carries. This leaves Pollard as the more effective of the two in open space.
Additionally, PFF ranks Zeke as the NFL’s 10th elusive junior running back so far this season. This puts him on the same level as runners like Latavius Murray (Ravens), David Johnson (Texans) and Carlos Hyde (Jaguars).
Why is Elliott still starting ahead of Pollard?
Given all this, many wonder why Ezekiel Elliott is still a starter ahead of Tony Pollard. Reporters like Tim Cowlishaw de Dallas Morning News they note that offensive coordinator Kellen Moore is ignoring the fact that Pollard is performing at a better level. However, there may be other factors involved.
For one thing, apparently the coaching staff has yet to have compelling reasons to seat Elliott. This is what the recent statements of Mike McCarthy, head coach of the Cowboys, show. In fact, McCarthy is confident that the time out until the next game will do Elliott good to improve his physical condition.
“He has something that he’s been dealing with.”McCarthy said of Elliott at a virtual press conference on Friday. “This 10 day break will really help him. You need it. We will continue to monitor that and make the right decisions in this regard “.
Cowboys RB Ezekiel Elliott continues to play through knee issue that arose in Week 4. Mike McCarthy: “He’s had something that he’s dealing with. I think this 10-day break will really help him. It’s needed. …We’ll just continue to monitor that and make sound decisions.”
– Michael Gehlken (@GehlkenNFL) December 3, 2021
Another factor could be Ezekiel Elliott’s determination not to step aside so as not to lose his starting status. So he let it see Chris Boussard in the program “The Odd Couple” de Fox Sports Radio.
“I do not say this as an insult or an attack on him as a person, because I think it is a human reaction”Boussard said of Elliott on the aforementioned show. “I think Elliott doesn’t want to be on the bench for a match because he’s scared that Tony Pollard will take his job away from him. Pollard has been more impressive than him all year long. “.
On the other hand, Jerry Jones thinks that Elliott has not given the coaching staff reasons to seat him because of his physical condition. Even the owner and general manager of the Cowboys believes that the problem is with the offense as such rather than the running back. This was revealed during a radio interview this Friday.
“His coaches, the people who are closest to his health and his medical situation, they believe that he is really fit to play.”Jones said of Elliott in 105.3 The Fan.
It’s true that Ezekiel Elliott, despite having a bone bruise on one knee, has had the go-ahead from the coaching staff for the last two games. In fact, Zeke has been fully involved in pre-match training sessions against the Raiders and Saints. However, the reality in games has been different. The running back could even be seen limping during part of the game against New Orleans last Thursday.
Cowboys RB Ezekiel Elliott injured his knee Oct. 3. Hasn’t missed a game but seems hampered. Jerry Jones thinks issues more about offense as whole than Zeke.
“His trainers, the people that are the closest to his health, his medical situation, they think he’s really good to go.”
– Jori Epstein (@JoriEpstein) December 3, 2021
Another point of criticism has to do with the Cowboys’ insistence on running through the middle of the field. It’s true that the Saints did a great job on the ground defense. However, the Cowboys managed to do more damage by running up the flanks. That showed not only with Tony Pollard’s scoring run, but also with an Elliott carry. In fact, Pollard has shown more than once to be more incisive for the bands.
However, Mike McCarthy said that these types of carries are secondary in attack because they are more difficult to achieve. This was the Dallas head coach in his remarks on Friday. Nonetheless, McCarthy noted that they need to work hard on this aspect of the game, recognizing the potential Pollard offers on the wings.
McCarthy continued: “It’s something you’re not going to be able to do all day but ball on the edge and ball in space is definitely a tremendous asset for us. We definitely recognize that but we do need to stabilize our run game with the variation and with increased productivity.” https://t.co/kKWsMenwv8
— Brianna Dix (@DixBrianna) December 3, 2021
If the Cowboys decide to sit Ezekiel Elliott right now, the decision will likely be more about the player’s current physical condition than performance. It remains to be seen what the coaching staff decides in the coming days. If Zeke improves after the extra days off, he may continue to start the next games. If not, it may be time to give Tony Pollard a bigger load in Dallas’ rushing attack. And even ownership.
