3 Cowboys players whose stock is plummeting ahead of the playoffs
The 11-5 Dallas Cowboys are sitting at No. 4 in the NFC standings and have already secured a spot in the playoffs. Before Week 17’s matchup against the Arizona Cardinals, the Cowboys had four consecutive wins. But, those wins came against pretty terrible teams. Teams that are not even close to up to par with the ones Dallas will face in the playoffs.
Many saw the Cowboys’ contest against the Cardinals as a test for how they would fare in the playoffs. Unfortunately, that didn’t go as many would have hoped. The offense reverted back to previous struggles and the defense, although still impressive, appeared to get tricked when finally facing a decent quarterback.
NFC Playoff Standings thru Week 17:
— Mike Leslie (@MikeLeslieWFAA) January 3, 2022
1. Packers ……………… 13-3
2. Rams …………………. 12-4
3. Bucs ………………….. 12-4
4. Cowboys ……………. 11-5
5. Cardinals ……………. 11-5
6. 49ers …………………… 9-7
7. Eagles …………………… 9-7
If the Cowboys plan to beat teams like the Packers, Bucs, Cardinals, or Rams, everyone will have to step up. However, there are three players who have been particularly concerning over the past few weeks.
These three players will need to play their best to give Dallas a chance at the Lombardi Trophy.
3. Ezekiel Elliott, RB
Yes. Ezekiel Elliott has been battling a knee injury for quite a while. But there comes a certain point where you can’t continue to make excuses for a guy sitting pretty on a $90 million, six-year contract.
The RB1 hasn’t had a game with over 53 rushing yards since Week 6. In fact, he’s only had five games over 60 yards, and all of those came in Weeks 2-6. He’s had a mere two games over 100 rushing yards. That can’t make Jerry Jones’ pockets happy.
Elliott’s lack of performance is a huge part of the reason the Cowboys’ offense continues to struggle. The former NFL-leading rushing game reached over 100 combined yards only five times in Weeks 8-17.
Elliot’s average yards per carry on the season is a meager 4.2, while RB2 Tony Pollard is averaging 5.5 yards per carry. We are talking about the difference between the fourth overall draft pick vs the 128th pick in their respective draft years.
Cowboys RBs Ezekiel Elliott, Tony Pollard combined for just 25 rushing yards in loss to Cardinals. Is that a recipe for playoff success?
— Jori Epstein (@JoriEpstein) January 4, 2022
"I think it’s going to be tough to win a playoff game with that rushing total," Zeke tells us. pic.twitter.com/vtZhcoL1Sg
Elliott currently has 10 games with a yards-per-carry average below 4.0. His last game against Arizona was a dismal 1.78. That’s unacceptable for someone who is supposed to be one of the team’s star players.
At least Elliott will admit to reporters that the output by the rushing squad isn’t going to cut it. Hopefully, the former Buckeye can make a change in the next two weeks.