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Dallas Cowboys: 3 Players who need to play well to beat Patriots in Week 6

By Randy Gurzi

ARLINGTON, TEXAS - OCTOBER 10: Ezekiel Elliott #21 of the Dallas Cowboys runs the ball during the first half against the New York Giants at AT&T Stadium on October 10, 2021 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images)
ARLINGTON, TEXAS - OCTOBER 10: Ezekiel Elliott #21 of the Dallas Cowboys runs the ball during the first half against the New York Giants at AT&T Stadium on October 10, 2021 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images) /
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Dallas Cowboys
ARLINGTON, TEXAS – OCTOBER 10: Ezekiel Elliott #21 of the Dallas Cowboys runs the ball for a touchdown during the third quarter against the New York Giants at AT&T Stadium on October 10, 2021 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images) /

Dallas Cowboys: 3 players that must step up to beat the Patriots

1. Ezekiel Elliott, Running Back

We already explained how the New England Patriots have a stout pass defense but their run defense isn’t as impressive. It’s not bad, but at No. 15 ranked, they come in as a middle-of-the-road run defense. That means Dallas is going to lean heavily on their running game and while Tony Pollard has been the more explosive back, Ezekiel Elliott is the one who can grind out the clock and beat a defense down.

After a rough outing in Week 1 against the best-run defense in football, Elliott has really taken off. He’s shed the label of being “washed up” as he has had at least 95 yards in each of the past three games including more than 100 in each of the past two (143 against Carolina and 110 against the Giants).

Overall, Elliott already has 452 yards and is averaging 5.3 yards per attempt — which is the best of his career. That’s a scary thought, especially when you realize he can run to the sidelines and give the ball to Tony Pollard who has 325 yards while averaging 6.4 per rush.

Next. Cowboys 5 Bold predictions vs. Patriots. dark

That ability to spell Zeke has paid off in a huge way and the Cowboys are going to need him once again this weekend.

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