After a huge day running the ball against the Carolina Panthers in Week 4, Dallas Cowboys RB Ezekiel Elliott has been named the FedEx Ground Player of the Week.
Zeke’s 143 rushing yards were his highest single-game total since 2018. It helped vault him to 4th place on the NFL’s rushing leaderboard behind Derrick Henry, Nick Chubb, and Joe Mixon.
Elliott also had one rushing touchdown against Carolina.
Cowboys RB Ezekiel Elliott was named the FedEx Ground Player of the Week after logging 20 carries for 143 yards and a TD in Sunday’s win over Panthers. A total effort between stout blocking and Elliott’s terrific running; he averaged 4.95 yards after contact per carry, per @PFF. pic.twitter.com/sD0cPIeJMy
— Michael Gehlken (@GehlkenNFL) October 6, 2021
Averaging 85.5 yards per game through the first four weeks, Zeke is on pace to have over 1,400 rushing yards in 2021. That average would likely be much higher if Guard Zack Martin hadn’t missed the season opener against Tampa Bay, and Zeke would likely be 2nd on the leaderboard.
Elliott was held to just 33 yards on 11 carries against the Bucs. The Cowboys clearly knew what they could and couldn’t so without Martin and strategized accordingly, limiting Zeke’s production for that week.
His rushing totals have consistently improved; 71 yards against the Chargers and 95 against the Eagles. But last Sunday’s explosion against Carolina was a flashback to the kind of plays, especially that 47-yarder, we haven’t seen from Elliott in a good while.
In fact, that run was the third-longest of Zeke’s career and the longest he’s had since his rookie season.
Congratulations to Ezekiel Elliott for his great performance and this well-deserved recognition!
