Cowboys running back Ezekiel Elliott looked himself last Sunday.
Running for 105 yards on 19 carries, Elliott looked to have his old burst and power back during the Cowboys win over Philadelphia. Maybe it was the week off due to injury, or maybe it was extra motivation following Tony Pollard’s monster performance.
Either way, it was welcomed by Mike McCarthy and company.
This week, Elliott has a chance to do something only Tony Dorsett and Emmitt Smith have ever done in a Cowboys uniform: rush for 1,000 yards in four of his first five seasons. And, what’s crazy, is that without his 2017 suspension he’d probably be looking for his fifth 1,000 yard campaign.
That’s Hall of Fame trajectory type stuff.
Elliott needs just 63 yards rushing on Sunday to break the notable 1,000 yard mark, but he made sure to point out what the ultimate goal for this Sunday really is.
“I mean, getting 1,000 yards in this league, it’s not easy. It’s definitely not easy. And it is an accomplishment, but it’s not really something I’m focused on” – Ezekiel Elliott.
Elliott went on to say that his focus is on beating the Giants and hopefully clinching a division title, not reaching his 1,000 yard milestone. Of course, this is the right thing to say, but breaking that 1,000 yard threshold would certainly be an accomplishment during what has been a down season for him as a whole.
Zeke has been the target for most of the criticism aimed towards this offense since Dak Prescott’s injury, struggling with fumbles and looking sluggish behind a beat up offensive line.
Even if he reaches the 1,000 yard mark, 2020 will have easily been Elliott’s worst season yet. Sure the health of his quarterback and offensive line have a lot to do with that, but that’s kind of the point.
“A win is a win no matter how you get there. A win is a win,” he said. “So if we win the division at 7-9, it’s the same as winning it at 14-2. You’re going to the playoffs with a 0-0 record. Winning the division, it doesn’t matter what your record is. If you win it, you win it” – Elliott.
The Cowboys can win the NFC East at 7-9 with a victory over the Giants, and an Eagles win over Washington. It’s not going to be easy to get the help they need, but the odds are that Elliott’s milestone and a Cowboys victory will likely go hand in hand.
