The Cowboys aren’t consistently winning with Ezekiel Elliott on the field.
There’s scant reason to believe that will change with Elliott potentially being kept from it.
A federal appeals court ruling Thursday ordered the dismissal of an injunction that was keeping the NFL from suspending Elliott for six games under its domestic-violence policy.
More legal wrangling is forthcoming with the NFL Players Association expected to file a new injunction on Elliott’s behalf. That would either delay the suspension again as the court process plays out, a la Tom Brady and Deflategate, or get rejected. The latter would likely trigger the star running back serving his punishment following this weekend’s Cowboys bye.
MORE: Ezekiel Elliott suspension timeline
The schedule of opponents that Dallas would face Zeke-less under this circumstance: road contests against San Francisco and Washington, home against Kansas City, at Atlanta and then back to AT&T Stadium for matchups vs. Philadelphia and the Los Angeles Chargers. Elliott would then return for the Cowboys’ final five games, which feature all three NFC East foes along with Oakland and Seattle.
By that point the Cowboys will be a postseason long shot anyway, even if Elliott keeps playing — unless there is a turnaround to what is proving a disappointing year for all involved.
Through five games last season, Elliott had gained 546 yards en route to winning the NFL’s rushing title as a rookie. At 4-1, Dallas was heading toward a 13-3 record and an NFC East title.
The 2017 Cowboys already have as many losses as their 2016 total following last Sunday’s collapse against Green Bay. This coincides with Elliott’s production being down to 393 rushing yards as well as his per-carry average dipping from 5.0 to 3.7 yards compared to this point last year.
Pinpointing exactly how much Elliott himself is to blame — whether because of technique or any psychological toll the legal proceedings have taken — is difficult. But one reason for Elliott’s decline stems directly from an offensive line that is no longer worthy of being called the NFL’s best.
MORE: Elliott tells critics to 'shut up'
Doug Free — long a target of criticism among Cowboys fans for not being as good as peers Tyron Smith, Travis Frederick and Zack Martin — looks like Pro Football Hall of Famer Forrest Gregg at right tackle compared to La’El Collins, who has struggled making the transition from guard. The unit also was weakened at left guard by the free-agent departure of Ron Leary to Denver.
The lack of a consistent running game has trickled down through the entire team. Dallas is now forced to lean more on a passing attack still trying to gain traction under second-year quarterback Dak Prescott. Prescott’s four interceptions already match the total from his entire rookie season.
Dallas’ average time of possession also has dropped from 31:23 to 29:44, which is significant by NFL standards. The Cowboys were able to mask defensive deficiencies last season by limiting chances for opposing offenses. Not this year.
After fielding the NFL’s top run defense in 2016, the Cowboys are allowing roughly 34 more yards a game at 118.0. And even with end DeMarcus Lawrence (NFL-high 8.5 sacks) emerging as the pass-rush force the franchise has lacked since DeMarcus Ware’s heyday, the Dallas secondary is leaking largely because of injuries and inexperience at cornerback. The Cowboys have allowed 11 touchdown passes, which is tied for the NFL’s second-highest total behind Tennessee and New England.
At least the Patriots have a track record of being able to fix what ails them and finish the season strong. Dallas doesn’t.
Slow starts under Jason Garrett have proven harbingers of what’s to come. The Cowboys have opened 2-3 four times under Garrett since his first full year as head coach in 2011. Three seasons ended with 8-8 records. The fourth was a 4-12 mark in 2015 when the Cowboys had no quarterbacking answer after Tony Romo got hurt.
This Cowboys team has something else it must overcome: internal strife being caused by the national anthem flap stirred by President Trump. Cowboys owner Jerry Jones met with his players Wednesday to explain why he said anyone who kneels during the anthem would be benched.
MORE: Cowboys reportedly won't test Jones' anthem policy
Just how effective was that discussion?
Prescott — who is now under outside pressure to kneel and call Jones’ bluff regardless of his personal feelings toward anthem etiquette — was among those who declined to speak to the media afterward. Reporters recognized that Cowboys cornerback Orlando Scandrick was listening to the anti-Trump song “FDT.”
Defensive tackle David Irvine, who broke team protocol by raising his fist at the end of the anthem before the Packers game, was asked whether the meeting provided more answers than questions.
“A little bit of both,” he said.
At least the answer to Elliott’s situation finally may be forthcoming.
Based upon the NFL’s track record in court on labor matters, it’s probably one he and the Cowboys won’t want to hear.
Alex Marvez can be heard from midnight to 2 a.m. ET and 8 p.m. to midnight ET Friday on SiriusXM NFL Radio.
