Dallas Cowboys running back Ezekiel Elliott (21). Photo by Kevin Dietsch/UPI |
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CLEVELAND -- By the middle of the fourth quarter on Sunday, most of the people still sitting in FirstEnergy Stadium, home of the Cleveland Browns, were Dallas Cowboys fans, and many of those were wearing Ezekiel Elliott's No. 21 jersey.
Elliott starred at Ohio State and hasn't slowed down as a pro. The fourth overall pick in the draft led the NFL in rushing before games Sunday and added to his 799 yards by rushing for 92 yards and two touchdowns on 18 carries. The only reason he didn't have 100 yards is Cowboys coach Jason Garrett rested him for most of the fourth quarter with the 35-10 victory secured.
The Cowboys are 7-1 and lead the NFC East. They won seven straight games.
"I would start with Zeke and his ability to attack," said tight end Jason Witten when asked about the success of the Cowboys' offense. "He's a dynamic threat and when he can capture the edge, he has the speed, the power and the ability to make guys miss.
"All that comes with being the fourth pick in the draft and high expectations. He's really embraced the opportunity. He's quick to give the offensive line compliments and credit."
The Browns knew Elliott would be getting the ball, but they couldn't stop him. He had wide open running lanes and when the Browns defenders did a get their hands on him he usually ran through the tackles. It is no comfort to them they held him to five yards a carry, a number that nearly matches his season average of 5.1 yards a try.
"That (missed tackles) is something we've been struggling with all season," Browns linebacker Chris Kirksey said. "You can't play football unless you get the guys on the ground."
Witten was right when he said Elliott credits his offensive line. Elliott did again in the visitor's locker room of FirstEnergy Stadium, but he went beyond that to include the defense and every player on the team.
"We have all the confidence in the world, especially in each other," he said. "We've had so much success because of the chemistry we have, how much we care about each other. Every time we go out, we play for the guy next to us. We're not a perfect team. We're fighting, and that's our best attribute."
Elliott and rookie quarterback Dak Prescott have factored in 19 of the 26 offensive touchdowns scored by Dallas. Prescott has 12 touchdown passes. Elliott has seven rushing touchdowns.
