Ezekiel Elliott failed to reach 100 yards or record a touchdown in Sunday night's overtime victory over the Eagles. That might seem disappointing considering the standard that he has set for himself in the past few weeks, but Elliott's 96 yards were as gritty and well-earned as any he's rushed for all season.
Elliot set the tone early by rushing for 40 yards in the first quarter only to be given few carries in the second. He reemerged as the Cowboys' workhorse in the second half. Even as Dak Prescott continued to struggle Elliott converted crucial first downs. During the game-tying drive Elliott broke off a 63-yard run that was called back due to a holding call on Travis Fredrick. Elliott and the Cowboys survived what could have been a momentum play, and eventually tied the game three minutes left in regulation.
Elliott touched the ball six times in overtime including a 12-yard run and a 10-yard reception. By the time Jason Witten caught the game-winning touchdown, the drive had taken everything out of Elliott.
"I'm so tired," Elliott said immediately after the game. "I've never been this tired. I just wanted to collapse after he caught it."
Elliott might not have had the eye-popping fantasy football numbers that we've seen from him recently, but the Cowboys relied on him Sunday night just as much as ever.
"Zeke's a good football player, and he's got a demeanor and a toughness that's really good for our football team," Jason Garrett said.
Not to be forgotten, Zeke also added 52 receiving yards on four catches, giving him 148 yards from scrimmage.
