Dallas Cowboys: 3 Big takeaways from win vs. Lions in Week 4

1. Scott Linehan has criminally underused Ezekiel Elliott

Last week we saw a glimpse of what Ezekiel Elliott can do in the passing game when he took a short pass from Dak Prescott to the house. It would have opened the offense and kept them in the ugly game, but Elliott made an error in stepping out of bounds before receiving the ball.

He was hard on himself afterward, but it did show that he can flip a game in a heartbeat if used in the passing game. While he entered the week leading the NFL in rushing yardage, the Cowboys seem to think to throw to him would be too much to ask. At least that was until today.

This Sunday, Elliott was finally used as an option in the passing game rather than as a last resort. And that was a huge reason they won the game.

Not only did he catch the 34-yard pass to set up the winning kick, but Elliott also made a key catch on a third-down and short — something the Cowboys have struggled with this season. Elliott also had a touchdown catch where he took a short pass 38-yards for a score that put Dallas up 13-10 in the second quarter.

The talented back finished the day with 152 yards rushing and 88 yards off four receptions. He did all this while dealing with an ankle injury throughout the game. Elliott is a beast and their best option on offense.  It was about time they acted like it.