Elliott, Cook highlight matchup of playoff contenders

ARLINGTON, TEXAS — Ezekiel Elliott doesn’t feel the need to declare himself the best running back in the NFL with the two-time rushing champion and the Dallas Cowboys set to face current leader Dalvin Cook and the Minnesota Vikings.

Two months after becom- ing the highest-paid back by ending a preseason-long holdout and signing a $90 million extension, Elliott is sixth in the rushing race with 741 yards, 153 behind Cook in one fewer game.

Elliott is also on one of his best rolls, looking to match a career best with a fourth straight 100-yard game at home against the Vikings (6-3) tonight, the third straight prime-time game for the Cowboys (5-3). almost 1,000 yards more

“I think there have been than anyone else. “I’ve got running backs that have some more work to do, played better this year,” that’s all.”

Elliott said. Cook needs 106 yards to

And t hat suggestion become Minnesota’s first doesn’t bother a two-time 1,000-yard rusher since Pro Bowler who was an All- Adrian Peterson in 2015, Pro as a rookie in 2016. when Peterson won the last

“It just kind of adds a little of his three rushing titles for fuel to the fire,” said Elliott, the Vikings. whose 4,789 yards rushing “Any time you can be mensince entering the league are tioned with a guy like that is awesome,” said Cook, who is second in the NFL to Christian McCaffrey with 1,232 scrimmage yards.

The first meeting between the teams since Elliott and quarterback Dak Prescott were rookie sensations in 2016 is important in what is shaping up to be a difficult playoff chase in the NFC.

The defending NFC East champion Cowboys lead

Philadelphia by half a game. The Vikings trail Green Bay by a game in the NFC North and currently hold the last playoff spot in the conference. Plus, the offenses and defenses of both teams are all ranked in the top 10.

“This is the toughest test we’ve had as an offense going against this defense,” said Dallas tight end Jason Witten.