Cowboys are left with obvious Ezekiel Elliott decision after Week 5 win

It's not hyperbole to say the Dallas Cowboys saved their season on Sunday night. Losing to an average Steelers team to fall to 2-3 with their current injury list and the hardest part of their schedule coming could have been a death knell to Dallas' season.

Dak Prescott and Jalen Tolbert made sure that didn't happen. Granted, Prescott's three turnovers were the reason the Cowboys trailed late to begin with, but he came through with the game on the line. That is exactly what the highest-paid player in the NFL is supposed to do.

While Prescott and Tolbert connected for the game-winning touchdown, Rico Dowdle was arguably the best player on the field for either team. He rushed 20 times for a career-high 87 yards and caught two passes for 27 yards and the go-ahead touchdown in the third quarter.

Dowdle established himself as the lead back in the previous two games. After this performance, Dallas should think twice about having a backfield by committee. They should also think twice about making Ezekiel Elliott active for Week 6 and beyond.

Cowboys need to demote Ezekiel Elliott after Rico Dowdle's career game

Dowdle has slowly been taking over the Cowboys' backfield and Mike McCarthy finally took the training wheels off against the Steelers. It's been obvious for a while that Dowdle is the team's best running back, but it is now clear that he is a volume rusher. He needs to get into a groove in order to wear down a defense.

Dowdle's goal-line fumble capsized his rushing grade, but he forced six missed tackle in the game, which was tied for the third-most of any running back in Week 5, per Pro Football Focus. He also had the second-most explosive runs of any back.

Elliott, who is seemingly battling a mysterious injury, worked as the second back against the Steelers and finished with six carries for 17 yards. However, it was Dowdle and fullback Hunter Luepke who saw the most touches on the Cowboys' game-winning drive. Elliott converted a 3rd-and-1 on the drive, but that was his only touch.

Even more noteworthy? Elliott didn't receive a single touch on Dallas' 16-play, 90-yard touchdown drive in the third quarter that put them in front 13-10. Dowdle saw eight touches on the drive, including his receiving touchdown on 2nd-and-10 just outside the red zone.

While McCarthy trusts Elliott to convert in short-yardage situations, it can be argued that he prefers Luepke to Elliott when the offense needs to put up yards in a hurry. That shouldn't surprise anyone as Luepke is far more dynamic than the elder statesman.

Don't expect the Cowboys to cut Elliott outright, but based on what transpired Sunday night don't be shocked if Zeke is a healthy scratch next week and Dalvin Cook gets elevated from the practice squad. It's been a long time coming.

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