While the Dallas offense doesn’t pose much of a threat to the Steelers top tier defense but the Cowboys do have one high-powered offensive weapon.
In the first eight games, Ezekiel Elliot has 521 yards on 132 rushes with five touchdowns and is on pace to go over 1,000 yards for the season for the third time in his career.
During his Tuesday press conference Steelers coach Mike Tomlin said he’s had his eye on Elliott since the offseason.
“I have a lot of respect for Ezekiel Elliott. He’s an elite, elite running back, arguably the best in the business,” said Tomlin. “His vision, his balance, his power on contact. I spent some time this summer looking at some those guys, knowing we were playing the likes of Ezekiel Elliott and Saquon Barkley and Derrick Henry and others. This guy is as good as advertised. We have our hands full there.”
Defensive tackle Cam Heyward says they didn’t do the job they needed to last week against the Ravens and that Elliot will present a challenge.
“We’re dealing with a heck of a back this week,” said Heyward. “ Zeik is that guy, he is the premier running back in our league so got to make sure guys tackle well, we’re in our gaps and then when one guy misses we have another three guys ready to attack.”
Fellow DT Isaiah Buggs echoed Heyward’s statements on Thursday.
“He’s probably one of the best backs that we’re going to face all year as far as body lane and finishing plays,” said Buggs.
It should be noted that Elliott has been limited in Cowboys practice the past two days with a hamstring injury.