DALLAS – As his 3-2 Dallas Cowboys prepare to play host to the 3-1 Detroit Lions on Sunday afternoon here at AT&T Stadium, Jerry Jones is celebrating his 82nd birthday and also celebrating the “secret value” of Ezekiel Elliott.
What’s the “secret”? Only Jones knows for sure, as Cowboys Nation is scoffing at the owner’s claim that the reason Zeke has been reduced to a deep backup role behind Rico Dowdle is because Dallas is “saving” the fading former two-time NFL rushing champion.
The Cowboys have struggled this season on the ground, and a big reason for that is a lack of a running game. The Cowboys currently average 3.5 yards per carry, which is good for No. 31 overall – and that’s after Rico Dowdle’s 87-yard breakout effort in last week’s win at Pittsburgh.
The trickle-down of no run game? Dak Prescott is being asked to throw 38.2 passes per game – a non-winning formula.
Elliott views himself as part of the solution, which is why he was granted a meeting with coaches this week to seek clarification of his role – and to ask for a greater one.