Ezekiel Elliott is the NFL's Best Primetime RB by the Numbers

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Ezekiel Elliott has had great success against the Philadelphia Eagles throughout his career averaging over 97 yards per game.

The Dallas Cowboys Week 3 matchup is against the Eagles on Monday Night Football, and the game being in primetime is significant when it comes to Elliott’s career. Since 1970, no running back has a higher average per game rushing in night games than Elliott’s 87 yards.

Elliott has played in four primetime games against the Eagles in his career and he’s made them count. He averages just over 105 yards in night games going up against Philadelphia and the Cowboys have posted a 3-1 record in those games. His best effort came in 2018 when he rushed for 151 yards (third-highest total of his career) in a 27-20 victory.

It may be a little harder for Elliott to keep his outstanding average against the Eagles in primetime on Monday. Elliott only has 27 carries through two games because the Cowboys have used more of a two-back look with Tony Pollard who is an excellent change of pace from Elliott’s grinding running style.

If Elliott is to have a big game against the Eagles it may be due to Pollard’s speed setting the tone.

“We feed off each other. We keep each other fresh,” Elliott said. “We want to see the best in each other. We do everything we can to push each other, to challenge each other, to make each other better, maybe if there’s something I could help him that’s going to help his game or something he can help me that’s going to help my game. We just push each other to become better players.”

This early-season NFC East showdown has significance for a few reasons. Both the Cowboys and Eagles are 1-1 so the winner will gain control of the division, albeit after three games. Also, it’s the Cowboys’ home opener, and kicking it off with arguably the team’s biggest rival is a perfect way to start.

Ezekiel Elliott certainly doesn’t have any love lost for the Eagles and he expects the Cowboys home crowd to be rocking on Monday.

“It means a lot,” Elliott said. “I mean definitely probably our biggest rival, especially since I’ve been here. Probably the team I don’t like the most. But Philly week is always fun. I know AT&T is going to be electric Monday night.”

The Cowboys have adjusted their offensive game plan to fit whatever the defense shows them so far in 2021. If the ground game is the tone-setter on Monday night Elliott has a shot to continue his primetime success against the Eagles.