Classic matchup pits Gurley vs. Elliott in NFC

THOUSAND OAKS, Calif. — Todd Gurley roots for running backs when he watches football. A playoff duel between arguably the two best ballcarriers in the NFL would be irresistible to him as a fan. Gurley won’t be watching the Los Angeles Rams’ playoff game against the Dallas Cowboys from his couch, however. He’ll be in the Coliseum tomorrow night to go up against Ezekiel Elliott in a tantalizing matchup that should play a large role in deciding which team moves on to the NFC Championship Game. “It’s not really about us,” Gurley said earlier this week. “It’s a team game. Obviously, we’ve got to hype it up, Zeke versus Gurley, but it’ll be a good game. He’s a great back, and I guess I’m not too bad myself.” The good feelings are mutual between these elite running backs. Gurley and Elliott are friends who realize they have a remarkably similar style of play, adding an extra bit of intrigue to an already compelling matchup. “He’s a big, fast back,” Elliott said about Gurley. “He can run inside. He can run outside. He can run through you, jump over you, around you, make you miss. He’s a great asset out of the backfield. Just a guy who has a well-rounded game and really doesn’t have any weaknesses.” Indeed, no backs in the league exemplify the current ideal combination of power, speed and versatility better than Gurley or Elliott, who have established themselves as destroyers of defenses behind two of the league’s best offensive lines. Gurley and Elliott are dangerous as ballcarriers and as pass-catchers. They’re the centerpieces of their respective offenses, with Elliott’s 381 touches leading the NFL and Gurley ranking fourth with 315 touches after sitting out the Rams’ past two games with a knee injury that appears to be healing well. Although they’ve played only seven combined NFL seasons, they’ve already compiled individual accolades to back up their stature. Elliott won the NFL rushing title last month for the second time, while Gurley led the league in touchdowns and finished third in the rushing race this season after winning the NFL’s Offensive Player of the Year award last season. “He has everything you want in a running back,” Cowboys coach Jason Garrett said of Gurley. “He’s quick, he’s fast, he’s explosive, he’s strong, has great instincts for the game, great feel for the game, outstanding vision. He can beat you with speed. He can beat you with power. He can beat you cutting back. He can beat you when they hand him the ball. He can beat you when they throw him the ball. He’s great running after the catch. He plays with a competitive spirit. He’s just a fantastic player.” Garrett then realized he knows another back with very similar qualities. “In some ways, I probably did describe Ezekiel Elliott,” he said. “Both big-time players who can do everything youwantthemtodoonthe field and embrace carrying the burden for their team.” Gurley doesn’t look at tomorrow as a personal competition with Elliott — but if he did, he would have plenty of motivation. While Elliott won the NFL rushing title as a rookie in 2016 and again this year, Gurley has yet to claim the title. Elliott also earned his first playoff victory last week, rushing for 137 yards against Seattle, while Gurley is still looking for his first postseason win. “He’s a big back, like myself,” Gurley said. “Basically fast, strong, catches the ball. He goes out there and proves it every week. He gets it done.”