Prescott leads Cowboys into key stretch, but without Elliott

FRISCO,TEXAS» Dak Prescott started one game without Ezekiel Elliott during a remarkable rookie season for the quarterback-running back duo of the Dallas Cowboys.

Last year’s NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year played just two series in that meaningless regular-season finale at Philadelphia with the best record in the NFC already locked up. Elliott watched since there was virtually no chance of being overtaken for the NFL rushing lead.

Now Prescott is preparing for six games without Elliott, barring a late legal ruling that would again put his suspension over alleged domestic violence on hold.

And this time the Cowboys (4-3) trail the Eagles by 2½ games in the NFC East with a difficult schedule looming.

“It’s about staying focused to my job,” said Prescott , who has led the Cowboys to consecutive wins with a boost from Elliott’s two highest rushing totals of the season. “My job was that when Zeke was here. My job is the same when Zeke is not here.”

Kansas City (6-2), tied for the best record in the AFC, visits Sunday, followed by Dallas’ trip to defending NFC champion Atlanta. And then? How about the first meeting with the Eagles, the first of three straight home games in 12 days for the Cowboys. Not exactly meaningless. “It’s going to be the story of a person’s long career,” offensive coordinator Scott Linehan said. “You’re going to be playing games without players you’ve been playing with for a while. I just feel so good about Dak’s mindset of who’s in the game. He doesn’t really get caught up in all that.”

Prescott replaced an injured Tony Romo and had one of the best rookie seasons in NFL history with Elliott by his side, leading a franchise-record 11-game winning streak while setting an NFL rookie record for passer rating. Elliott broke the franures to get the first chance as chise rookie record with 1,631 a lead back, if the Cowboys yards rushing. decide to have one.

Things weren’t nearly as Darren McFadden, Dallas’ smooth this season in the leading rusher two years ago seven games before the susdespite limited duty the first pension, with the Cowboys six games, has been inactive matching last season’s loss all season and will get some total (three) and Prescott’s insort of chance. Rod Smith, terception total (four) in the who forced his way onto the first five games. roster with an impressive

But the Cowboys were training camp, might see rounding into form, capped time ahead of McFadden. by Elliott’s 150 yards rushJason Witten, the 15thing and two touchdowns on year tight end who embraced a rainy day in Washington. Prescott even though he supA day later, the fourth overplanted his best friend in all pick from last year’s draft Romo, sees this simply as the was suspended . next step in the former Mis

“There is no blinking,” said sissippi State standout’s dePrescott, who has 14 touchvelopment. downs and a passer rating “The best thing Dak does I of 96.6, about eight points feel like is handle situations,” off last year’s rookie record. Witten said. “He’s done a re“There is no questions asked. ally good job and will conNobody even worries about tinue the transition of comit. The next person comes in, municating with Alfred and does his job and we continue Darren and Rod. Constantly to move on.” communicating, just like he

Alfred Morris, a 1,600-yard and Zeke do. rusher as a rookie in Wash“I think his focus is on that ington five years ago, has more so than just, ‘Hey, my been Elliott’s backup and fig- guy’s not there.”’