There’s been talk about Ezekiel Elliott re-emerging as a franchise running back. But he’s looking like a less appealing option now, and it becomes clearer that he’ll be facing one of the league’s best run defenses in Week 1 without two of his best blockers.
Zack Martin (pictured) might be the best guard in the league; it’s either him or Quenton Nelson. But reports suggest Martin will miss their opener for COVID reasons.
Similarly, La’el Collins is one of the top few right tackles in the league. He’s also looking iffy for their opener because of stinger issues with his neck.
The timing could hardly be worse. The Cowboys are opening at Tampa Bay, and the Bucs have one of the league’s most active and aggressive defensive fronts. Two years in a row Tampa Bay has ranked No. 1 in run defense, allowing an average of only 77 yards per game. Over the last two years, only 11 other defenses have allowed fewer than 100 rushing yards per week in a season.
Hard to envision, therefore, Elliott having a big game.
| BEST RUN DEFENSES (last 2 years) | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year | Year | Att | Yards | Avg | TDR |
| 2019 | Tampa Bay | 362 | 1,181 | 3.3 | 11 |
| 2020 | Tampa Bay | 358 | 1,289 | 3.6 | 10 |
| 2019 | NY Jets | 417 | 1,391 | 3.3 | 12 |
| 2019 | Philadelphia | 353 | 1,442 | 4.1 | 13 |
| 2020 | Indianapolis | 390 | 1,448 | 3.7 | 16 |
| 2020 | LA Rams | 388 | 1,460 | 3.8 | 12 |
| 2019 | New Orleans | 345 | 1,461 | 4.2 | 12 |
| 2019 | Baltimore | 340 | 1,494 | 4.4 | 12 |
| 2020 | New Orleans | 390 | 1,502 | 3.9 | 11 |
| 2019 | New England | 365 | 1,528 | 4.2 | 7 |
| 2020 | Seattle | 392 | 1,529 | 3.9 | 18 |
| 2019 | Indianapolis | 383 | 1,567 | 4.1 | 8 |
| 2019 | Oakland | 405 | 1,570 | 3.9 | 15 |
Similarly, things look less appealing for Dak Prescott in Week 1, with enhanced potential for him to be on the run on more plays. You lose guys like Martin and Collins, and it will make a difference.
The Bucs had one of the league’s best pass rushes last year, with 48 sacks, and they look like they might be even better. They’ve got all of their starters back, and first-rounder Joe Tryon-Shoyinka looks like he’ll rotate in, adding some pass-rushing pop. In the preseason, he was lining up across from the spot where Collins lines up.
—Ian Allan