Eze’ riders
Two weeks remain in the NFL regular season, and there are still division titles and playoff positions to be earned, postseason skids possibly snapped, and the potential for a winless season. With that, here’s a look at The Post’s NFL High Five for Week 16:
STAR RETURN TO WATCH
Ezekiel Elliott is back from his six-game suspension, and the Cowboys, who were 3-3 in his absence, remain in the mix for an NFC playoff berth at 8-6 with two games left, beginning with Sunday’s home clash with the Seahawks.
Elliott returned to practice Wednesday and is expected to return to his full workload against Seattle. In each of the four games before his suspension for violating the NFL’s personal conduct policy, Elliott had at least 26 carries, no fewer than 93 yards and had five rushing touchdowns. In the eight games he has played, Elliott rushed 191 times for 783 yards and seven TDs.
The Cowboys’ running game without Elliott was not as weakened as some predicted. They averaged 121 yards per game, with Alfred Morris rushing for 430 yards on 99 carries and Rod Smith gaining 153 yards on 43 carries with at least one rushing TD in four games.
So, what to expect from Elliott in his return?
“He’s capable of doing anything we’d ask him to do at the running back position,” coach Jason Garrett told reporters this week. “We’ll work through this week and see what he’s able to do in this game plan.’’
What is somewhat of a mystery is what Elliott did during his suspension. There were reports that he spent the six weeks in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico, where he supposedly filmed a documentary of himself readying for his return.
But Elliott curiously wanted no part in talking about his absence this week, instead saying, “I missed all the guys. They missed me, and we’re excited to continue the season.”
Pressed on what he did to keep in shape during his suspension, Elliott said, “I’m not really going to talk about it. It’s behind me.”