Ezekiel Elliott said the Cowboys' offense was to blame for their disappointing 12-10 loss to the Saints on the road.
The Dallas running back praised the team's defense for giving the team multiple opportunities to rally against New Orleans, but the offense could not get going.
“Our defense played their (butt) off,” Elliott told reporters after the game. “They kept us in the game. They gave us a chance and we just didn’t hold up on the offensive end. We can’t let our guys down like that.”
The entire offense sputtered throughout the game. Even Elliott, who is considered one of the best running backs in the NFL, made huge mistakes. He fumbled the ball just before halftime and finished the game with a measly 35 yards on 18 carries.
.@RecruitRHS alum @Vonn is on another level tonight. This is his second fumble recovery of the game. This time he also strips his former @OhioStateFB teammate @EzekielElliott!
— Ben Bobick (@BenBobickWRCB) September 30, 2019
pic.twitter.com/2MM42P8rAm
“I just coughed it up,” Elliott said of his fumble, even though it was questionable since his elbow appeared down before the ball was popped out. “They just took it from me. It’s not acceptable ... I just can’t let the team down like that.”
Quarterback Dak Prescott also struggled after having a phenomenal first three weeks of the season. He had a season-low 73.2 rating, didn't throw a single passing touchdown and finished the game with just 223 passing yards and an interception.
Overall, the Cowboys' offense had just 257 total yards with three turnovers. The loss also means the Cowboys aren't undefeated anymore and they now have a 3-1 record on the year.
“The only positive is the defense played their tails off,” Elliott said. “Offensively, we just didn’t do our jobs.”