Dallas Cowboys studs and duds Week 17: Dak Prescott struggles mightily in loss
By Randy Gurzi
Dak Prescott had an awful outing against the Arizona Cardinals and highlights the Dallas Cowboys Week 17 studs and duds in their latest loss
The Dallas Cowboys had a shot at the No. 1 seed entering the game but you would have never guessed this by how they came out against the Arizona Cardinals.
After scoring 56 the week prior, the Cowboys struggled to move the ball all day against Arizona in their 25-22 loss — although, the game was never really that close.
In the end, they fell to 11-5 and that makes their Week 18 game meaningless since they have the East won but no longer can get home-field advantage.
Here we look back over their defeat and identify some studs and duds in their frustrating loss.
Dallas Cowboys Dud: Ezekiel Elliott, RB
If you didn’t notice Ezekiel Elliott in this game, you weren’t alone.
The Cowboys No. 1 running back was a non-factor as he had just 16 yards on nine carries and 14 yards on one reception. He also had a costly drop that put his team behind the chains on one of their many failed drives.
Elliott is making far too much money to disappear as often as he does. Sure, he’s playing with a knee issue but if that’s keeping him from being effective, it’s time to take a seat and let that heal while someone else does the heavy lifting.
Dallas Cowboys Stud: Micah Parsons, LB
One player on the Dallas Cowboys who has yet to find himself in a slump is linebacker Micah Parsons. The team’s first-round pick was again a factor in this one — even if he was only one of few.
Parsons ended the day with five tackles, two of which went for a loss and he even nearly made a much bigger play. Down 19-7, the Cowboys needed a spark and Parsons gave that to them as he hit Kyler Murray as he delivered a pass on third-and-goal toward Zach Ertz.
The hit caused the ball to go off-target just enough for Jayron Kearse to make a play — but he dropped the interception. That led to the Cards kicking a field goal but had he held on, it would have been a huge momentum swing thanks to the rookie.