Elliott’s return can’t save Dallas’ season
ARLINGTON, Texas — Russell Wilson didn’t have to do much to keep alive Seattle’s hopes for a sixth straight trip to the playoffs, despite the return of star Dallas running back Ezekiel Elliott from a six-game suspension.
Justin Coleman put the Seahawks in front for good with a 30-yard interception return for a touchdown, and Seattle beat the Cowboys 21-12 to keep its postseason hopes alive while ending Dallas’ playoff quest.
Dak Prescott threw two interceptions and the Dallas offense didn’t score a touchdown despite the reunion with his backfield mate, the one he shared a remarkable rookie season with a year ago when the Cowboys had an NFC-best 13 wins.
Now Dallas (8-7) is eliminated from postseason contention with the end of its three-game winning streak, and the Seahawks (9-6) still have life after Wilson threw for two touchdowns despite a career-low 93 yards passing.
“In these situations where it truly is a must-win game, we don’t have to make anything up,” Seattle receiver Doug Baldwin said. “We’re well-prepared for it. The process that we’ve gone through the whole season really helped us today.”
Coleman gave Seattle a 14-9 lead in the third quarter when he reached down to catch Prescott’s badly overthrown pass to Elliott and ran untouched for a touchdown.
It was the fourth pick-six of the season for Prescott, who threw just four interceptions last season when he was the NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year. He has 13 interceptions this season.
The Seahawks were eliminated in the NFC West race by the Los Angeles Rams’ 27-23 win at Tennessee. But Seattle can make the postseason with some help despite gaining just 136 total yards — its fewest since getting 135 in a 14-9 win over the St. Louis Rams in 2013.
Seattle’s two offensive touchdowns were set up by pass interference penalties in the end zone. The Seahawks’ first scoring play was a 3-yard pass to Jimmy Graham and their final TD came on a 6-yard throw to Baldwin after running plays backed up the Seahawks both times.
The Cowboys, who lost their first three without Elliott before the winning streak, didn’t take it easy on last year’s NFL rushing leader after his six-week layoff, giving him 15 carries for 73 yards in the first half.
The longest carry was a 9-yarder as he averaged 4.7 per carry. Elliott, who was suspended over domestic violence allegations, finished with 97 yards on 24 carries.
“It’s hard to get over,” said Prescott, who was 21 of 34 passing for 182 yards. “I’m sure I’ll get over it at some point. But right now’s not the time. Didn’t play well enough for us to win. Simple as that.”