Cowboys’ spotty passing attack holds key for Elliott’s space

FRISCO, Texas — Dak Prescott heard the assessment from New York Giants safety Landon Collins on how to beat his Dallas Cowboys.

Stop running back Ezekiel Elliott, put the ball in Prescott’s hands and “I think we’ll have a better shot at winning,” Collins said a few days after the Carolina Panthers illustrated as much in the opener.

“Challenge accepted,” the Dallas quarterback said. “Challenge accepted.”

The Cowboys know every opponent wants to stop the running game. Elliott says it’s been that way since the first game of his rookie year, when fellow first-year star Prescott replaced an injured Tony Romo and became the starter for good while Elliott won the 2016 rushing title.

If the players in Prescott’s passing game are feeling the burden of creating space for Elliott while also trying to figure out life after retired tight end Jason Witten and released receiver Dez Bryant, they’re not showing it going into their home opener Sunday night against the Giants.

Dallas is trying to avoid the first 0-2 start in seven seasons under coach Jason Garrett.

“No burden at all,” said Allen Hurns, one of the free agents brought in to try to fill the void left by Bryant. “I think we did a pretty good job. Things didn’t go our way as far as getting catches. But I feel like we did our job as far as creating separation.”