Dallas Cowboys 2019: Dak Prescott, Ezekiel Elliott, Amari Cooper Playing Like Stars Before Playoffs

The Dallas Cowboys made the 2019 NFL Playoffs in large part because of their defense, but there are reasons to be encouraged by the team’s offense. Dak Prescott, Amari Cooper and Ezekiel Elliott are all playing well heading into Wild-Card Weekend.

If the Cowboys hope to defeat the Seattle Seahawks in Saturday’s first-round game, their top offensive playmakers will have to come up big. Dallas was held to 17 points or fewer in all six of their losses. The Cowboys went 9-0 when they scored at least 20 points.

Sending the Oakland Raiders a first-round pick in exchange for Cooper was mocked by many at the time, but the deal sparked Dallas’ turnaround. The Cowboys were beaten at home 28-14 by the Tennessee Titans in the wide receiver’s first game with the team. Dallas won seven of their next eight games to claim the NFC East title.

Cooper performed like an All-Pro in the second half of the season with the Cowboys, recording 68 catches for 667 yards and five scores. The wide receiver was particularly good at home, averaging 123.5 yards in his last four games at AT&T Stadium.

Prescott had terrific numbers in the second half of the season, posting a triple-digit passer rating in six of the Cowboys’ final eight games. The quarterback had the first two 385-plus yard games of his career during that stretch. He totaled 16 passing and rushing touchdowns and three interceptions.

Most importantly, Prescott rose to the occasion in close games. He led late, game-winning scoring drives against the Atlanta Falcons, New York Giants and Philadelphia Eagles (twice). The quarterback has a nearly perfect passer rating of 150.5 when the game is tied in the fourth quarter or overtime.

Elliott had the best offensive season of any Dallas player. He led the league with 1,434 rushing yards, despite sitting out the season finale. Elliott averaged 107.7 rushing yards per game after the midway point of the season.

The running back provided the Cowboys’ only offensive spark when they lost in Seattle 24-13 in Week 3. Elliott ran for 127 yards on just 16 carries in the defeat.

The Seahawks beat the Cowboys in the first matchup because of how little success Dallas had in the passing game. In addition to being sacked five times, Prescott had just 4.9 yards per attempt with two interceptions.

With Cooper now on the team and the game being played in Dallas, the Cowboys hope Saturday’s result is a very different one.