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5 bold predictions for Cowboys in 2019

By Rucker Haringey

Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott (4) celebrating during the fourth quarter against the Seattle Seahawks in a NFL Wild Card playoff game at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, on Saturday, Jan. 5, 2019. The Cowboys advanced, 24-22. (Max Faulkner/Fort Worth Star-Telegram/TNS via Getty Images)
Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott (4) celebrating during the fourth quarter against the Seattle Seahawks in a NFL Wild Card playoff game at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, on Saturday, Jan. 5, 2019. The Cowboys advanced, 24-22. (Max Faulkner/Fort Worth Star-Telegram/TNS via Getty Images) /
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LOS ANGELES, CA – JANUARY 12: Ezekiel Elliott #21 of the Dallas Cowboys celebrates after scoring a 1 yard touchdown in the third quarter against the Los Angeles Rams in the NFC Divisional Playoff game at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on January 12, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA – JANUARY 12: Ezekiel Elliott #21 of the Dallas Cowboys celebrates after scoring a 1 yard touchdown in the third quarter against the Los Angeles Rams in the NFC Divisional Playoff game at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on January 12, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) /

4. Ezekiel Elliott will get less than 250 carries

Elliott is clearly one of the most dynamic runners in the league. The Cowboys coaching staff is very aware of that. The organization has a vested interest in making sure Elliott can perform like a Pro Bowler for years to come.

That’s why they’re going to do their best to cut down his workload in 2019. That means he won’t get anywhere near the 304 carries he posted last season. Instead, look for the coaching staff to keep him on the sidelines long enough to keep him under 250 rushes.

There’s a reason the Cowboys elected to draft not one, but two running backs in April. They know they need to keep Elliott fresh for the playoffs if they’re going to have a legitimate chance to win a Super Bowl. Tony Pollard and Mike Weber will likely battle it out all season long to be Elliott’s primary backup. Neither rookie will get more than a series or two per game, but that will do wonders to save Elliott’s legs late in the year.

The diminished workload might cause the star running back to chirp a little bit to the media, but Garrett and his coaching staff will largely ignore his occasional complaining. Elliott won’t put up quite the same statistics that he did last year, but it should be better for his team’s win total.

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