No. 1: Questionable Run Defenses in the NFC East

So much of the Ezekiel Elliott-MVP exploration has been focused on him and the immediate context surrounding him. But a lot of it will be determined why how opponents look to bottle him up this season.

Especially the NFC East, where Dallas has to face the Washington Redskins, New York Giants and Super Bowl-champion Philadelphia Eagles twice apiece.

Philly boasted one of the NFL’s top defenses a year ago. But after parting ways with linebacker Mychal Kendricks this offseason, it wouldn’t be a shock to see the Eagles’ run defense take a step in the opposite direction. In fact, Pro Football Focus listed the Eagles’ projected 2018 run defense No. 15 overall in the league.

In fact, all three of the Cowboys’ division rivals are in the middle of the pack in this category. The Giants are the leaders here out of the NFC West, but come in only at No. 14, whereas the Redskins are ranked No. 17.

So-so run defenses. At least on paper, for now.

Out of the top five-ranked teams against the run entering 2018, the Cowboys only play one, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and that takes place towards the tail end of the season — Week 16. So it’s anyone’s guess how the Bucs will fare by the time Elliott is asked to square off against Tampa Bay.

Elliott isn’t going to have to go up against the more elite-level run defenses this season, which prompts the idea he can have more than a few dominant games over the course of the season. Especially if the other factors mentioned work in his favor.

And if it all comes together, Elliott’s efforts in 2018 could wind up being MVP-worthy, putting him in that discussion and perhaps earning the lofty accolade following what was a frustrating year a season ago.