4 statistical milestones the Cowboys could hit this weekend

1,000 Rush Yards – Ezekiel Elliott

Dallas Cowboys running back Ezekiel Elliott has endured a plethora of criticism regarding his play and I believe that it has been unjustified. His early-season fumbles look to be a thing of the past and he is on the brink of breaking the 1,000-yard rushing barrier.

Zeke currently stands at 937 rushing yards that leaves him 63 yards shy of 1,000. Zeke has a 66 yard per game average which makes this barrier not as easy as it might seem. The New York Giants own the league’s 11th best rush defense that gives up 111.6 rush yards per game.

Zeke splits carries with Tony Pollard while quarterback draws and wide receiver end around runs also account for team totals so Zeke will have his work cut out for him.

Fortunately for him, I think the recent surge in the passing game will allow for some easy running lanes early on and I fully expect Zeke to hit 1,000 rushing yards on the season early in this contest. I will go with the over and Ezekiel Elliott will become the first Cowboys running back with at least three straight 1,000 yard rushing seasons since Emmitt Smith’s incredible 11 straight streak that lasted from 1991 through 2001.

The hate for Zeke lately has also overshadowed the fact that he recently surpassed Ring of Honor inductee Don Perkins on the Cowboys All-Time rush list. He now only trails Hall of Famers Tony Dorsett and Emmitt Smith.

Zeke is currently sitting 5,694 yards behind the great Tony Dorsett. I’m not sure what to tell those who don’t think Zeke cares about catching Dorsett and cementing his legacy on this football team. For those who use stats as a foundation, Zeke hitting 1,000 yards is very important to him and the perspective of those who still believe in him.