Dallas’ quarterback has the back of his longtime teammate

Phew. After a pair of disheartening home losses, the Dallas Cowboys hit the road on Thursday night to play the division rival Giants in New York, and after establishing an early lead, the Cowboys hung on for a 20-15 victory that brings them even, at 2-2, through four games.

It was not pretty, but as quarterback Dak Prescott said, “It’s better than the alternative.”

One of the concerns coming out of this game, though, is one of the same concerns the Cowboys had going into the game—the futility of Dallas’ rushing attack. The Cowboys had just 80 yards on 23 carries, and veteran Ezekiel Elliott appears to have taken further steps backward here at the sunset of his career.

Elliott had just five carries for 19 yards, and now has 81 yards on 24 carries, a career-low average of 3.4 yards per carry. He’s lost his status as the lead back in the Cowboys’ “committee” of running backs, with Rico Dowdle having gotten 11 carries on Thursday.

Elliott has been the subject of criticism in Dallas, as it is clear he has lost a step at age 29. Still, Prescott remains appreciative of all that Elliott brings to the franchise, even beyond his on-field contributions (or lack thereof).

“As you know, he is a Cowboys legend,” Prescott said on Amazon Prime after Thursday’s win. “Always will be. Just to have him back, nobody better in the locker room, ultimate team guy. Will do anything for the team, whatever it takes. That was part of bringing him back, understanding short-yardage, goal-line, pass protection. Everything that his experience has brought is going to be good for us.”

Dallas Cowboys running back Ezekiel Elliott

© Jeff Lange / USA TODAY NETWORK

Elliott started his career with three Pro Bowl seasons in his first four years, and led the league in rushing in both 2016 and 2018. He has slowed considerably and spent last season in new England before coming back to Dallas.

With 8,343 yards as a Cowboy, Elliott is third in franchise history in rushing, behind two Hall of Famers—Emmitt Smith and Tony Dorsett.