Tomlin: Steelers focused on Elliott, not Cowboys QB

Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports

Mike Tomlin: Steelers focused on Ezekiel Elliott, not Cowboys QB

By Erin Walsh | Last updated 11/4/20

The Dallas Cowboys still aren't sure who will be their starting quarterback on Sunday when they take on the Pittsburgh Steelers. Dak Prescott is out for the season, Andy Dalton has COVID-19 and rookie Ben DiNucci underperformed over the weekend against the Philadelphia Eagles.

Dallas will either start Garrett Gilbert or Cooper Rush this weekend, but Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin isn't worrying about preparation for either of those unseasoned quarterbacks. Instead, the Steelers are focused on containing Ezekiel Elliott, who has 741 total yards and six touchdowns on the season.

Steelers coach Mike Tomlin on Cowboys offense: "I know Ezekiel Elliott has a lot of our attention and preparation and rightfully so. ...Common sense tells you he’ll be a central figure in your game plan."
— Jori Epstein (@JoriEpstein) November 4, 2020

The Steelers are allowing about 96 rushing yards per game this season, but they allowed the Baltimore Ravens to rack up 265 yards rushing over the weekend, which was uncharacteristic for their defense.

Elliott is averaging about 65 yards rushing per game and just doesn't seem right, though he's obviously capable of carrying the load given his past success. However, if the Steelers can contain Elliott, Dallas will need whichever quarterback it rolls with to make some big plays... which might not happen given the lack of experience between Gilbert and Rush.

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