The ground game for the Dallas Cowboys this season fell well below expectations.
Yet, last week in the final regular season game, both Tony Pollard and Rick Dowdle provided some well-needed production that might give them the spark they need for this playoff run.
Since returning from his injury, Dowdle has averaged 5.1 yards per carry.
Pollard had maybe his best game since early in the season against the Commanders.
He finished with over 1,000 yards and only had one game over 100 all year.
Pollard became only the sixth running back in Cowboys' history to have consecutive 1,000-yard seasons, joining Calvin Hill, Tony Dorsett, DeMarco Murray, Ezekiel Elliott, and Emmitt Smith.
It is win or go home now, and Dak Prescott and CeeDee Lamb have been the best combination in football this year.
If this team can even get what they did last week from the ground game, it makes things 1,000 times easier.
Starting Offensive Line
Both Tyler Smith and Zack Martin sat out last week, and honestly, the offensive line did not look bad.
They opened up running lanes both inside and outside for both backs.
We can expect to see them both back when the Cowboys welcome Jordan Love and the Packers to town for the Wild Card playoff game on Sunday.
The Green Bay defense has not been very good this season at all.
Although they have a lockdown corner in Alexander, he normally does not travel if the receiver goes in motion.
I would move the heck out of Lamb and get him off which should open him up for some easy routes.
Doing so early will open up the run game for Pollard and Dowdle, and with the way Prescott is playing right now, the best game in terms of positive runs couldn't have come at a better time than week 18.
Mike McCarthy
The only worry I have is going to come from the man calling the plays.
I am worried that Mike McCarthy will play not to lose the game because it is the Packers and you have a much better roster, and should win this game farily okay.
Don't force Tony Pollard into the gameplan if it not working early.
You have an MVP level quarterback this season, who is taking care of the football, and you are at home.
I think the way they attacked Washington last week on the road was awesome.
He threw the ball 36 times and ran in 29 times, that is the perfect balance, and Pollard finished with 70 yards, while Dowdle gave them 46.
IF they can get that from the running backs for the first time rounds in the playoffs, this team has every chance to be playing in thier first NFC Championship game since 1995.
I will get into my game preview later this week, but I really liked the way Pollard ran the ball on Sunday.
It is like he heard all the media and the fans asking for the Cowboys to bring in Dalvin Cook.
Please bring that same energy in the playoffs TP!
