Predicting the Cowboys running backs final stat lines for 2022

Ezekiel Elliott’s Game-by-Game Predictions

W1 (TB) – 14 carries, 44 rushing yards, 1 rec, 3 yards, 1 Fum

W2 (CIN) – 16 carries 66 rushing yards, 1 rushing TD, 2 rec, 18 yards

W3 (NYG) – 19 carries, 112 rushing yards, 1 rushing TD, 2 rec, 19 receiving yards

W4 (WAS) – 14 carries, 68 rushing yards, 1 reception, 4 receiving yards

W5 (LAR) – 8 carries, 22 rushing yards, 2 receptions, 12 receiving yards, 1 RecTD

W6 (PHI) – 10 carries, 32 rushing yards, 1 reception, 4 receiving yards

W7 (DET) – 19 carries, 155 rushing yards, 2 rushing TD, 2 receptions, 11 receiving yards

W8 (CHI) – 22 carries, 132 rushing yards, 1 rushing TD, 2 receptions, 21 receiving yards

W10 (GB) – 7 carries, 18 rushing yards, 1 rushing TD, 3 receptions, 9 receiving yards

W11 (MIN) – 16 carries, 71 rushing yards, 1 rushing TD, 1 reception, 7 receiving yards

W12 (NYG) – 19 carries, 88 rushing yards, 1 rushing TD, 2 receptions, 22 receiving yards

W13 (IND) – 14 carries, 59 rushing yards, 1 rushing TD, 1 Fum, 1 reception, 3 receiving yards

W14 (HOU) – 9 carries, 48 rushing yards, 3 receptions, 24 receiving yards

W15 (JAX) – 12 carries, 71 rushing yards, 1 rushing TD, 1 reception, 8 receiving yards

W16 (PHI) – 7 carries, 22 rushing yards, 5 reception, 33 receiving yards

W17 (TEN) – 11 carries, 54 rushing yards, 1 rushing TD, 2 reception, 17 receiving yards

W18 (WAS) – 4 carries, 24 rushing yards

Ezekiel Elliott 2022 Final Stat Prediction (17 games) – 221 carries, 1,086 RushYds, 4.9 YPA, 11 RushTDs, 2 Fum, 31 rec, 215 RecYards, 1 RecTDs

Elliott was actually enjoying a good start to last season before injuries hit Week 5. He reportedly played with a torn PCL after Week 4.  However, before the injury, Zeke looked really good. In the first four weeks of the season, the Ohio State alum carried the ball 64 times for 342 yards and four touchdowns, averaging 5.34 yards per carry. He also had seven catches for 53 yards and looked more explosive than recent years had shown.

I am going to go half-in on the hype and say he has a better season than last season, and actually has his best season since 2019. The only difference will be his volume. With another starting-caliber player in the backfield, Zeke will handle most first and second down situations, working as the bell cow of the duo. Using him in this way should be most effective for him in this point of his career.

I expect him to be more explosive in a more unpredictable offense and with less of a load than in recent past. His averages will be some of the highest since 2016-18 and he will not have to worry about being a pass-catcher as much either due to Pollard’s increased workload.

Coming from a fan perspective, this would be great to see. However, for the front office, this may put more pressure on their decision of what to do with Elliott.

In reality, if they really want to keep both RBs, they can make it happen. Look at the Saints over the past decade, or more recently, the Rams. Would this be a good enough of a performance to keep Zeke one more year? Would they be able to afford both him and Pollard after these performances? Let’s just say, if they want to keep both, pieces will need to be moved around, whether it be cuts, trades, or restructures.