The Patriots’ 15-10 win over the Jets on Sunday wasn’t exactly the most exciting display of offense for either team, but there was one Patriot who stood out to Boomer Esiason.
“The one thing that really was impressive yesterday was Ezekiel Elliott,” the CBS analyst and WFAN host said during his weekly appearance on WEEI’s Greg Hill Show. “That didn't look like the Zeke Elliott of the Cowboys the last couple years. It looked like a new, rejuvenated one. So, they ran the ball for 160 yards or so. I mean, if you can do that in this league, you're gonna win more than you lose. So, I give them credit for that part of the game. The passing game for both teams was somewhat suspect.”
Elliott led all rushers with 80 yards on 16 carries, averaging five yards per carry. He also had one catch for seven yards. It was easily the most involved Elliott has been since joining the Patriots, as he had just 12 carries for 42 yards in the first two games combined.
While Elliott did have 12 touchdowns and 876 yards on the ground last season for the Cowboys, he averaged just 3.8 yards per carry, marking the first time in his eight-year career that he averaged under four yards per carry. Dallas elected not to re-sign the three-time Pro Bowler after the season as it officially turned the backfield over to Tony Pollard.
It was a perfect time for Elliott to find the fountain of youth, because next up on New England’s schedule is his former team. The Patriots travel to Dallas to face the Cowboys at 4:25 p.m. ET this Sunday.