Tony Pollard is one of the NFL's best running backs by the numbers
Tony Pollard is the best running back on the Cowboys and one of the best in the NFL.
According to Yahoo! Sports' Jori Epstein, Pollard is one of four players to average more than six yards per carry through the first eight weeks of the season (min. 75 rushing attempts). Since 1970, only 17 other players have accomplished this.
Pollard leads Dallas in rushing yards although teammate Ezekiel Elliott has 28 more carries. In a 49-29 victory against the Bears on Sunday, he had 131 rushing yards, the highest total for a Dallas running back this season, on 14 carries.
Despite Pollard's breakout campaign, Cowboys owner Jerry Jones insists Elliott is their best running back.
"There's no argument," Jones said after Sunday's victory. "We go as Zeke goes."
Jerry, we're about to tell you something you don't like hearing: You're wrong.
Although Elliott is a great player -- a three-time Pro Bowler -- he has lost his big-play ability. In 2022, Elliott's longest carry is 27 yards. Pollard's longest carry is 57 yards.
The Cowboys need Pollard's dynamic playmaking because it gives their offense a game-changing weapon. His speed can help them race past the undefeated Eagles, an NFC East rival with one of the league's best defenses. The Eagles are ranked No. 3 in total defense.
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