The Cowboys took Ezekiel Elliott in the first round of this year’s draft in hopes that he’ll score a lot of touchdowns over the course of his career in Dallas.
He got his first home score last week and added his first road tally on Sunday afternoon. Elliott followed a pass interference call on Redskins cornerback Bashaud Breeland with a one-yard touchdown run to get the Cowboys to the end zone for the first time this week. That’s been the one successful trip to the red zone for the Cowboys, who have otherwise settled for a pair of short Dan Bailey field goals on their way to a 13-10 lead at the half.
Elliott ran 12 times for 44 yards and caught a pair of passes during the first half as he continues to be a workhorse alongside rookie quarterback Dak Prescott. Prescott was 12-of-18 for 182 yards, including a big fourth-down completion to tight end Geoff Swaim to help set up Elliott’s score. That came after the Redskins declined an illegal formation penalty on third down in a decision that left the Cowboys with a fourth-and-one from the Washington 30-yard-line.
Kirk Cousins is 11-of-18 for 131 yards and Matt Jones ran for a 14-yard touchdown shortly after Elliott’s score, which keeps them well in the game along with a defense that’s surrendered yardage without letting the Cowboys build a cushion by regularly reaching the end zone. They’ll have to keep it up in the second half without defensive lineman Kedric Golston, who is out with a hamstring injury, although fellow lineman Chris Baker is expected back after hurting his ribs.
