Cowboys two headed rushing attack will lead team to NFC East title

Jerry Jones and the Cowboys are focused on winning a divisional title this upcoming season. Will Dallas’ two-headed rushing attack help Dak Prescott take over the NFC East this season?

Passing the pig skin has become the primary means of moving the football down the field for most offenses. Explosive performances from quarterbacks like Josh Allen, Aaron Rodgers, and Tom Brady have caused offensive coordinators to reevaluate how they approach their offensive philosophy.

Becoming a pass-first franchise will serve as a challenge for Kellen Moore’s unit. Dallas’ depleted wide receiving core will force the Cowboys to find other ways to produce points – adding additional responsibilities to their developing running back duo.

Cowboys Ezekiel Elliott is still the team’s primary rusher

Earning yards on the ground has helped the Cowboys succeed during the last few seasons. Elliott’s productivity since joining the team in 2016, has helped Dallas maintain their identity on offense. Since joining the league, the former Oklahoma State Cowboy has accumulated over 7,000 yards and 56 touchdowns.

An explosive rookie season increased expectations for the former 4th overall pick. His 1,631 yards rushing was the most produced by any back in 2016 – making Elliott one of the most feared backs in the league.

Finding success on the ground became an issue for Dallas’ primary rusher as his career progressed. In 2017, Elliot’s rushing total decreased due to a domestic violence investigation – leading to a six-game suspension from Commissioner Rodger Goodell.

When Zeke returned the following season, his goal was to continue his success. In the next two seasons, Elliott accumulated 2,000 yards – but failed to beat his rookie season total.

Cowboys Tony Pollard is a great secondary running back

Seeing a decrease in productivity from their former first-round pick led the Cowboys to invest more in their depth in the backfield. In 2019, the franchise added Tony Pollard to the roster – a strong downfield rusher from the University of Memphis.

A fourth-round pick was the tradeoff for his talents, and he proved his worth early. His 5.3 yards per carrying average in his rookie year earned the youngster a role as Elliott’s backup.

Developing the second-string rusher has helped the Cowboys expand their offense within the last few seasons. In 2020, Pollard received fifteen more carries than his rookie season – increasing by twenty-nine more the following season. With his help, the Cowboys finished the 2021 season ranked 9th in rushing yards per game.

An increase in usage has caused fans to wonder if Pollard will become the primary rusher in 2022. A slight edge in yards per carry has helped the fourth-year back earn a role in Kellen Moore’s offense.

Thoughts of seeing Elliott lose his starting position are farfetched. Using both backs in the offensive game plan is the best option for Mike McCarthy’s staff. If positioned correctly, both backs have proven they can work in unison on the gridiron.

Losing Amari Cooper in the passing game will create opportunities for Pollard and Elliott to take on prominent roles in the team’s new offense – aiding in the effort to win an NFC East divisional title.