What was worse on Sunday: the Dallas Cowboys' running game or the run defense? Being that Alvin Kamara rushed for 125 yards and three touchdowns, the latter probably takes the cake but Dallas' rushing attack is a real cause for concern after two games.
Rico Dowdle got the start over Ezekiel Elliott against the Saints and once again looked like the superior back. In a surprising turn of events, Elliott was third in the RB pecking order. Deuce Vaughn received a carry before Elliott checked into the game with 2:43 remaining in the first quarter.
Excluding Dak Prescott's two scrambles for 12 yards, the Cowboys rushed 19 times for 56 yards, which equates to 2.94 yards per attempt. Through two games, CeeDee Lamb has the Cowboys' longest run - a 12-yard jet sweep against the Browns. That is alarming, but it is Jerry Jones' fault for believing this backfield was good enough.
The Cowboys could have had a number of affordable running backs in free agency. There is one who fans (and Dez Bryant) banged the table for back in March and he happens to lead the NFL in rushing after two games.
Cowboys fans wanted the team to sign NFL rushing leader J.K. Dobbins
JK DOBBINS RUNNING THROUGH EVERYBODY.
— NFL (@NFL) September 15, 2024
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Dobbins looks like one of the best bargain signings of the offseason after two games. He galloped for 135 rushing yards on 10 carries in the Chargers' Week 1 win. He followed that with an even better performance in Los Angeles' road win on Sunday: 131 yards and a touchdown on 17 carries.
The former Ohio State star leads the NFL in rushing with 266 yards on just 27 carries. For context, Jordan Mason of the 49ers ranks second with 247 rushing yards on 48 carries. Dobbins' 9.9 yards per carry are by far the most at the position. He is also tied for first in explosive runs, second in yards after contact per attempt and tied for fifth with 11 first downs.
As a football fan, it is great to see Dobbins back healthy. As a Cowboys fan, it is absolutely demoralizing that Dallas let Dobbins, a Houston native, sign with the Chargers.
It is possible that Dobbins felt comfortable reuniting with former Ravens offensive coordinator Greg Roman, whom he shined under in Baltimore before injuries took their toll. He also took a visit with the Chiefs, but wound up picking LA for $1.61 million and just $50,000 guaranteed.
Meanwhile, the Cowboys gave Elliott a one-year contract worth a maximum value of $3 million and $1.625 million guaranteed.
In two games, Elliott has carried 16 times for 56 yards and one touchdown. Among 39 RBs who have carried at least 16 times, Zeke's 49.1 rushing grade ranks 38th, per PFF. He is 32nd in yards after contact per carry and he has yet to force a missed tackle.
Signing Dobbins would have come with risk given his injury history, but he fit the Cowboys' lowly budget and, more importantly, would have filled their glaring need for an explosive ball-carrier. This marks yet another instance in which Dallas would have been better off if it listened to its fan base.
