The Dallas Cowboys suffered a devastating defeat last week on the road against the Green Bay Packers. Going into that game the Cowboys were 195-0 when leading by 14+ points heading into the fourth quarter. That record now has one loss as the team blew a two-touchdown lead in the fourth quarter before losing in overtime.
That was a rough way to begin a back-to-back set of road games as the Cowboys are heading on the road for a big game against the Minnesota Vikings in Week 11. They will be tested once again by a Vikings team that had their own miraculous comeback against the Buffalo Bills in Week 10.
This time around, however, they are going to have some more help offensively as running back Ezekiel Elliott is expected to be back in the lineup. Elliott has missed the last two games because of a knee injury but should be out there on Sunday according to Jerry Jones.
“We are a better team when we’ve got him and got him available. Defenses are well aware, more than anybody of his impact and his availability. I’m glad to have him back, and it does look like he’s gonna be available (Sunday).”
It is truly debatable if the Cowboys are a better team with him available or not. His presence means fewer touches for Tony Pollard, who has been the more productive player in the Dallas backfield this season.
Pollard has 621 yards on 103 carries to lead the team with six rushing touchdowns. Elliott on the other hand has managed only 443 yards despite carrying the ball six more times than Pollard. He has added four rushing scores of his own.
In the last two games without Elliott in the lineup, Pollard has carried the ball 36 times for 246 yards and four touchdowns, adding four receptions for 29 yards. Elliot has gone for 100+ rushing yards in back-to-back games only once since 2020 as Pollard is by far the more explosive option right now out of the backfield.
The Vikings would certainly be happy if Elliott took the starting job over and out touches Pollard in the game as it will make life easier for them. Game planning against Pollard would certainly be a tougher task given how much more he has been producing than Elliott this season.
