Dallas Cowboys should run the L.A. Rams into the ground

The gameplan for the Dallas Cowboys seems fairly straight forward when they take on the Los Angeles Rams on Saturday night. But is it that simple?

Anyone who has watched the Dallas Cowboys play this season understands what type of team they are. With a defense playing at an elite level and the NFL’s leading rusher in the offensive backfield, the Cowboys’ formula for winning games seems simple and straightforward.

Dallas has been able to secure eight victories in their last nine games despite posting one of the league most questionable passing offenses. Why? Because the Cowboys play to their strengths. That means playing shutdown defense while fielding a consistent rushing attack on the other side of the ball.

Running the offense through running back Ezekiel Elliott results in long drives that helps Dallas win the time of possession game while also allowing the defense to get well-rested on the sidelines. Everything runs through Zeke. And feeding the monster is priority for the Cowboys. Elliott finished the regular season rushing for 1,434 yards and six touchdowns while averaging 4.7 yards per carry.

Running the ball successfully will be key to getting a victory over the Los Angeles Rams on Saturday night, as Dallas travels to California in the divisional round of the playoffs. It just so happens that the Rams’ biggest weaknesses is run defense. L.A. was ranked dead last in the NFL this season allowing opposing rushers to average a whopping 5.1 yards per carry.

Here’s what NFL.com Analyst Elliot Harrison wrote on the league’s official website about the Cowboys running game and why he predicts Dallas beats Los Angeles 24-20.

"“… if [Jared] Goff starts slowly, like he did in multiple December games, the 2018 Dallas rushing offense might not let L.A. off the mat, either. The Rams must thwart Ezekiel Elliott, or else they won’t have enough possessions to impose their offensive will. Especially if Scott Linehan wakes up and realizes how talented a runner his QB can be. Great matchup.”"

The Dallas Cowboys’ perfect gameplan against the Los Angeles Rams Saturday night is clear. Dallas must run L.A. into the ground behind Ezekiel Elliott and using the sturdy legs of stout quarterback Dak Prescott.

But the Rams know the Cowboys want to run the ball and will likely go all out to stop it. If they do, Prescott and Dallas’ passing attack will need to step up and be enough of the threat to prevent L.A. from stacking the box defensively.