Dallas Cowboys running back Ezekiel Elliot wasn’t happy after making his first mistake in almost a whole calendar year during Sunday’s demolition of the Atlanta Falcons.
Elliott stated, in the wake the 43-3 win. “Definitely, I need to keep my ball security in check. They played well against the run and their defense stood up. They were very disruptive and had a lot of movement. We got out there and made our plays.”
Midway through the third quarter Elliott faced a 2nd and 3. He ran seven yards before giving it up to Atlanta. This had never happened in 244 touches dating back to Thanksgiving , per ESPN’s Todd Archer.
Elliott, who had been working to improve his technique after he lost five career-high five fumbles in 2020, finished the game with 14 rushes for 41 yard and two touchdowns. He also added 15 receiving yards on three catch.
Both Zeke’s scores were made as the Cowboys scored a record 29 second-quarter point total.
“We knew going in that we had to start quickly, and we knew we had make up for last week,” Elliott stated via the team website. This was in reference to Dallas’ loss to Denver of 30-16. “We want the ball, we want them to go in the mouth first. We wanted to score first, and that’s exactly what we did.
The Cowboys were perfect on all four-down attempts, averaging 431 yards total offense and holding the ball for over 37 minutes.
Elliott’s touchdowns were preceded by two conversions that galvanized a unit that couldn’t stay on field against the Broncos.
“We’re going play aggressive, that is our mentality, that’s how we’re going football. After Sunday’s win, Elliott stated that we play aggressive. via Jon Machota from The Athletic. “On the field, with call, everything. It doesn’t matter if you don’t like it. This is how we roll.”
“I feel like they dominated, played in the way that we know how,” said CeeDee Lamb (via Machota).
Sixty-six day separated Michael Gallup and his calf strain from the Cowboys’ starting line-up. Gallup, who was injured in the season opener, was activated and deployed as the No. 3 WR, behind Amari Cooper and Lamb.
Gallup made the most out of his 41 offensive snaps against Atlanta. He accumulated 42 receiving yards and a long catch of 23. Three of his five targets were caught. The one that was not caught — a drop — was possibly rusty, but it was undoubtedly haunting for the restless veteran.
“Long wait, long waiting. Patience is a virtue. I’m glad that I waited and got well so I could go out and do what it is I love,” Gallup stated per Machota. He also said that he was so upset about the drop. I was looking down at the field. Mike, catch the ball first.