A Tony Romo-less Dallas Cowboys backfield is decidedly less interesting, but don't tell that to Dak Prescott or Ezekiel Elliott.
The rookie contingent thus far has proven more than capable of driving the Cowboys' offense devoid its franchise quarterback, and that was on display Sunday night as Dallas totaled 447 yards from scrimmage in an easy 31-17 win over the Chicago Bears at AT&T Stadium.
Though the Bears, playing without their own injured starting QB, are hardly a desirable measuring stick, Prescott at least got plenty of valuable reps in a 19-for-24 passing performance of 248 yards and the first touchdown throw of his young career. Elliott added a first of his own with 140 yards rushing on 30 carries, and in doing so the pair became the first Cowboys rookies to pass for 200 yards and rush for 100 yards combined in a single game.
Most of all, the Cowboys cured their Jerry World blues with their first home win since the 2015 season opener. And just like that, they're 2-1 in the absence of Romo, who last we heard was "looking great" in his recovery from a fracture in his pack.
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However, he may not be needed when he returns.
In three games, Dallas is averaging nearly 400 yards on offense and has seen Prescott and Elliott take tangible steps forward as they settle in to the NFL.
Prescott has been the greatest surprise. The fourth-round pick is completing 66.6 percent of his passes with a cool composure that's kept the Cowboys competitive. He has yet to throw an interception in 99 pass attempts.
Dallas was off and running from the first drive of the game, when Prescott ended a 10-play, 75-yard drive with a 1-yard touchdown run, and Elliott adopted the workhorse mentality and took over from there.
The Cowboys' first pick, fourth overall, started slow and steady in moving the chains while fellow running backs Alfred Morris and Lance Dunbar poached a pair of touchdowns in the second quarter. But he flashed his form in the second half, including an impressive hurdle of Chris Prosinski on a 14-yard scamper in the third quarter.
👀 @EzekielElliott 👀#CHIvsDAL #DallasCowboys pic.twitter.com/3FTub90nuC
— NFL (@NFL) September 26, 2016
Perhaps Prescott's greatest accomplishment in the game was finally satiating Dez Bryant's thirst for the end zone.
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Bryant, shut out in the first two weeks, caught Prescott's first touchdown pass on a nifty slant route from 17 yards out for a 31-10 lead in the third quarter.
Bears quarterback Brian Hoyer put up strong numbers starting in place of Jay Cutler, but most of the damage came in the fourth quarter while the Cowboys nursed a big lead. Hoyer finished 30 of 49 for 317 yards and two touchdowns to tight end Zach Miller.
That second-half push came without starting running back Jeremy Langford, who was carted off the field in the third quarter with an ankle injury.
