Dallas Cowboys running back Tony Pollard showed promise against 49ers
There has been no shortage of things to complain about regarding the Dallas Cowboys in 2020. Dak Prescott went down with a devastating injury early on, the defense has largely been awful, and the team currently holds a 5-9 record with two more games to be played. Oh, and highly-paid running back Ezekiel Elliott has […]
There has been no shortage of things to complain about regarding the Dallas Cowboys in 2020. Dak Prescott went down with a devastating injury early on, the defense has largely been awful, and the team currently holds a 5-9 record with two more games to be played.
Oh, and highly-paid running back Ezekiel Elliott has regressed tremendously without Prescott behind center and while running behind a depleted and injured offensive line.
Elliott performed as one of the NFL's elite running backs during the majority of the first four seasons of his professional career. From leading the NFL in rushing multiple times to earning All-Pro honors to being a legitimate a threat as both a runner and a catcher, Zeke was the gold standard at the position.
The drop-off has been steep for the Dallas Cowboys star in 2020.
Zeke has lacked explosive ability and has regressed running and catching the football, highlighted by his six fumbles on the season and numerous drops in the passing game.
There are certainly a number of factors that go into Elliott's frustrating season, but that can be said for a number of running backs across the league — a big reason why so many were against paying Elliott big money. Running backs are so dependent on what is surrounding them, and Elliott has just not shown the ability to overcome those factors this year.
Tony Pollard showed big potential against the 49ers in week 15.
Taking a one-game sample in an otherwise disappointing Dallas Cowboys season is foolish — especially since the one game came against another mediocre squad. That said, it is hard to not be impressed with how Tony Pollard played versus the San Francisco 49ers.
Elliott was ruled inactive just hours before kickoff, and the Memphis product took full advantage of his opportunity. As the lead back in Kellen Moore's offense, Pollard totaled 132 yards from scrimmage and two touchdowns. He averaged over seven yards per touch and showcased some explosive ability against the 'Niners.
Pollard has more rushing yards after contact per attempt than Derrick Henry and Nick Chubb over the last two seasons.
Additionally, Tony Pollard is in some pretty good company in a statistic that was tweeted out by Pro Football Focus' Fantasy Football Twitter account. Per PFF, Pollard averages 4.2 yards after contact per attempt since the 2019 season.
That number, as you can see below, is better than star Tennessee Titans running back Derrick Henry and talented Cleveland Browns workhorse Nick Chubb:
This shows that Pollard is not just getting his yards from wide open running lanes, rather he has the ability to keep moving forward after the first contact with a defender is made.
Of course, sample size definitely matters, but it is still an interesting stat regardless. Pollard is not the primary ball carrier in Dallas like Henry and Chubb are for their respective teams, but he has flashed big time when opportunities are presented to him.
For instance, Pollard showed some of his ability as a pass-catcher against the Detroit Lions in 2019, catching four passes for 44 yards and a score in a 35 to 27 road victory.
The Memphis product truly broke out against the Los Angeles Rams later on during his rookie season. In that December game, Pollard carried the ball 12 times for a career-high 131 yards and a touchdown for the Cowboys while also catching a pair of passes.
The second-year Cowboys running back took full advantage of his opportunity on Sunday, once again showcasing his ability to hurt defenses with the ball in his hands.
Pollard's performance against the — albeit injured and depleted — San Francisco 49ers is the latest example of what many have been calling for: get Tony Pollard more touches!
Featured image via Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports
