Fansided

3 bold predictions for the Cowboys’ 2021 season

By Rucker Haringey

MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA - NOVEMBER 22: CeeDee Lamb #88 of the Dallas Cowboys looks on prior to their game against the Minnesota Vikings at U.S. Bank Stadium on November 22, 2020 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA - NOVEMBER 22: CeeDee Lamb #88 of the Dallas Cowboys looks on prior to their game against the Minnesota Vikings at U.S. Bank Stadium on November 22, 2020 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images) /
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Tony Pollard, Dallas Cowboys
ARLINGTON, TEXAS – DECEMBER 27: Tony Pollard #20 of the Dallas Cowboys runs with the ball against K’Von Wallace #42 of the Philadelphia Eagles in the second half at AT&T Stadium on December 27, 2020, in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images) /

2. Tony Pollard will be more efficient than Ezekiel Elliott

Elliott is unquestionably going to be the bell cow of the Cowboys’ rushing attack as long as he stays healthy in 2021. That doesn’t mean he’s necessarily going to be the most efficient back in Dallas’ stable.

Pollard finished second on the team in rushing last season and averaged 4.3 yards per carry. For the record, that’s slightly better than Elliott’s mark of 4 yards. There’s no reason to think Pollard can’t continue to be the more efficient back moving forward.

Again, that doesn’t mean he’s the better player. Part of what makes Elliott so valuable for the Cowboys is his ability to soak up so many touches on a week-to-week basis. It might still be in Dallas’ best interest to split their workload more evenly. Pollard gives McCarthy’s offense a shifty presence in the backfield that can help keep opposing defenders off balance.

Interestingly, Pollard also outperformed Elliott last season in terms of his longest rush from scrimmage. His 42-yard rushing attempt outpaced Elliott’s season-high by 11 yards. Pollard won’t turn into a home run hitter for the Cowboys overnight, but he’s got more juice in his legs than most fans give him credit for. Dallas fans should appreciate having one of the better backups in the league next season.

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