Ezekiel Elliott: Statistics Don’t Always Tell the Whole Story

Ezekiel Elliott had 13 touches for 39 yards in Game 1 as the Cowboys had just 14 running games against running backs. (Dak Prescott’s four rushes were one more than running back Tony Pollard.)

The Cowboys’ imbalance was predictable given they faced the 2020 No.1 race team with Vita Vea and Ndamukong Suh on the defensive tackle and with All-Pro right guard Zack Martin with COVID-19. Offensive coordinator Kellen Moore said Monday he called 28 points, but Prescott pulled out 12 after seeing the defense.

Moore also praised Elliott’s play, whose role as a blocker on Thursday went unrecognized.

“Zeke is a guy with a big image. He sees it, ”Moore said. “He did a phenomenal job protecting the passes for us. There’s a lot of guys in the box, and we’re going to have other games where people are going to play two shells and give us the opportunity to lead the football, and Zeke is going to be ready to rock and roll there. “

Elliott defended himself on Wednesday.

“If you know football then you can tell someone had a solid game without having the best stats,” Elliott said, via Clarence Hill of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram. “I think if you say that, maybe they should study a little more. “

The Cowboys’ imbalance, however, is unsustainable for a full season, and the Cowboys aren’t paying Elliott $ 6.82 million in 2021 to block. Elliott needs more than 11 rushes and Pollard needs more than three.

“Every game I’m given a job,” Elliott said. “It’s my job to do this job to the best of your ability. I take great pride in being well balanced, doing a lot of things, and I think it’s important for a running back to keep the quarterback safe, to keep it intact.

Elliott was tackled for a one yard loss on a third and goal play by the 2 after Blake Jarwin missed a block on safety Andrew Adams. The two-time racing champion, however, was singled out.

“I would say on this game, it’s on me,” Elliott said. “We are in the 5, me against DB. I have to have the ball in my left hand, so I have something to fight it in my inner hand. I have to find a way to get into the end zone.