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Washington Redskins vs. Dallas Cowboys: 3 Players to watch in Week 12

By Stephen Forsha

LANDOVER, MD - OCTOBER 21: Ezekiel Elliott #21 of the Dallas Cowboys runs the ball against the Washington Redskins in the first quarter of the game at FedExField on October 21, 2018 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
LANDOVER, MD - OCTOBER 21: Ezekiel Elliott #21 of the Dallas Cowboys runs the ball against the Washington Redskins in the first quarter of the game at FedExField on October 21, 2018 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /
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ATLANTA, GA – NOVEMBER 18: Ezekiel Elliott #21 of the Dallas Cowboys reacts after rushing for a first down against the Atlanta Falcons at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on November 18, 2018 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
ATLANTA, GA – NOVEMBER 18: Ezekiel Elliott #21 of the Dallas Cowboys reacts after rushing for a first down against the Atlanta Falcons at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on November 18, 2018 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) /

1. Ezekiel Elliott

This is an easy one, but in all honestly the Dallas Cowboys and their offense will go only as far as running back Ezekiel Elliott will take them. On just a few days rest it will be very interesting to watch how Elliott plays on Thanksgiving Day for just the second time in his career.

Elliott missed last year’s Thanksgiving game with his suspension, and his lone Thanksgiving Day game was in 2016 against the Redskins. In that game two years ago Elliott rushed 20 times for 97 yards and two touchdowns. He also caught two passes for 23 yards in what was a 31-26 win by the Cowboys.

This season Elliott is the second leading rusher in the NFL with with 191 carries for 953 yards, averaging 5.0 yards per carry. He also has five rushing touchdowns and has 42 receptions for 341 yards and two touchdowns.

One thing to watch for with Elliott is even with all of his stats gained this season, just a handful of weeks ago against the Redskins he was held to just 15 carries for 33 yards and no touchdowns. If the Cowboys want to win on Thanksgiving that type of performance can’t happen with Elliott for a second time against the Redskins.

Next. Redskins vs. Cowboys: 5 Bold Predictions for Week 12. dark

For the season the Redskins defense ranks sixth in the league in allowing 95.7 yards per game rushing, so something will have to give for Elliott to have a repeat performance of his first Thanksgiving Day game.

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