After two disappointing home losses, the Dallas Cowboys traveled to face the division rival Giants on Thursday night.
Despite building an early lead, the Cowboys managed to secure a 20-15 victory, leveling their record at 2-2 after four games.
It wasn’t a perfect performance, but as quarterback Dak Prescott noted, “It’s better than the alternative.”
One lingering issue from the game is the same concern the Cowboys had going in: the struggling Dallas rushing attack.
The team managed just 80 yards on 23 carries, and veteran Ezekiel Elliott appears to be declining further in the twilight of his career.
Elliott had only five carries for 19 yards, bringing his total to 81 yards on 24 carries this season, a career-low average of 3.4 yards per carry.
He has lost his lead-back status in the Cowboys’ running back rotation, with Rico Dowdle receiving 11 carries on Thursday.
Elliott has faced criticism in Dallas, as he’s clearly lost some speed at 29 years old. However, Prescott still values Elliott’s contributions to the team, both on and off the field.
“As you know, he is a Cowboys legend,” Prescott said on Amazon Prime after the win. “Always will be.
Just to have him back, nobody better in the locker room, ultimate team guy. He’ll do whatever it takes for the team. His experience, in short-yardage, goal-line, and pass protection, is huge for us.”
Elliott began his career with *three Pro Bowl seasons* in his first four years, leading the league in rushing in 2016 and 2018. Though he has slowed down, spending last season in New England, he has returned to Dallas.
With 8,343 rushing yards as a Cowboy, Elliott ranks third in franchise history, behind Hall of Famers Emmitt Smith and Tony Dorsett.
