Cowboys vs. Lions: Ezekiel Elliott carries Dallas to victory

The Dallas Cowboys pull out some late-game heroics and secure a victory over the surging Detroit Lions in Week Four, making them 2-2 in the standings.

The Dallas Cowboys offense has been the team’s weakest link through the first three weeks of the NFL regular season, averaging just under 14 points per game. But on Sunday, against a Detroit Lions’ team hot of a victory over the New England Patriots, the Cowboys offense came to the rescue of their top-three ranked defense, pulling out a close victory late, 26-24.

Quarterback Dak Prescott ended the game completing 17 of his 27 passes for 255 yards and two touchdowns. There was a bigger emphasis on Prescott throwing downfield and the results were positive.

But the real story of the game was the play of Ezekiel Elliott. The league’s top running back once again proved he was worthy of the fourth overall selection in the 2016 NFL Draft. Zeke rushed for 152 yards on 25 carries. He also had four receptions for 88 and a score. It was Elliott’s over the shoulder 34-yard catch late in the fourth quarter that led to a Brett Maher game-winning field goal.

Speaking of the Cowboys 28-year old rookie kicker, Maher likely eclipsed Dan Bailey in the eyes of many fans as he was a perfect four for four in field goals on the day, including a clutch 38-yarder to win the Week Four contest.

Although Elliott was the Cowboys leading receiver, wide receiver Cole Beasley also had four catches for 53 yards. Tight end Geoff Swaim racked up three receptions for 39 yards and recorded his first NFL touchdown.

Defensively, premier pass rusher Demarcus Lawrence had a career-day, posting eight total tackles and 3.0 sacks. Cornerback Chidobe Awuzie was picked apart through the air in this matchup but was still able to record eight tackles. Filling in for an injured Sean Lee (hamstring), rookie linebacker Leighton Vander Esch recorded a total of six tackles in his first NFL start.

Next up for the 2-2 Dallas Cowboys, they will take a short trip south to face off against the 0-3 Houston Texans. That game will take place in primetime on NBC’s Sunday Night Football, October 7th at 7:20 p.m. CDT.