5 bold predictions for Cowboys against Commanders

2. The Cowboys offense will run it 40+ times

Fans of high-flying aerial NFL offenses should choose a different game to watch this weekend. The Cowboys are going to try their best to grind the Commanders’ defense into submission with a heavy dose of both Ezekiel Elliott and Tony Pollard.

Elliott has received a lot of justified criticism for being one of the most overpaid players in the league, but he’s quietly rounding into decent form. He carried the ball 15 times last week for 73 yards and a score. That’s not superstar production but it was a quietly efficient game for Dallas’ theoretical No. 1 running back.

Anyone paying attention understands that Pollard is the more dangerous and effective weapon. He broke off a big 46-yard run last week en route to a 105-yard day on the ground.

Both backs are going to get a ton of work early and often on Sunday. Washington’s defense hasn’t been good this year and McCarthy and his staff will try to keep things simple and low-risk as a result. That means a lot of carries for both backs this week. Both players getting 20-plus rushing attempts isn’t out of the question. Expect 40+ carries total for the Cowboys’ running back room.