Elliott lifts Cowboys
Prescott, defense also key in ousting Seahawks; Luck, Colts top Texans
Ezekiel Elliott rushed for 137 yards and the go-ahead touchdown in the fourth quarter as the Cowboys hung on for a 24-22 NFC wild-card win over the Seahawks on Saturday night in Arlington, Texas.
The playoff win was the first for Elliott and quarterback Dak Prescott on their second try after losing a divisional game as rookies two years ago. The Cowboys will play the Saints or the Rams next weekend.
The Cowboys’ defense, ranked in the top 10 most of the season, kept Russell Wilson mostly under control and handed him his first loss in four wild-card games.
“Our defense was great,” Prescott said. “They keep us in every game.”
It was the eighth win in nine games for the Cowboys.
“We had so much confidence coming in,” Prescott said. “It’s all about the way we fought. I’m proud of my guys.”
Prescott threw for 226 yards and had a 1-yard sneak for what appeared to be a clinching score before Tyler Lockett’s 53-yard catch set up a quick Seahawks touchdown. Wilson’s 7-yard scoring pass to J.D. McKissic got the Seahawks within four, and they made it a two-point game on their second 2-point conversion following an injury to kicker Sebastian Janikowski.
But the missing kicker left the Seahawks no good options on an onside kick with 1:18 left. Punter Michael Dickson’s drop kick was caught by Cole Beasley at the 31, sealing the Cowboys’ win.
Cowboys receiver Allen Hurns appeared to suffer a severe left leg injury when he was dragged down by safety Bradley McDougald and his leg buckled. He was carted off.
The loss ended a run of nine straight victories in playoff openers for the Seahawks. The Elias Sports Bureau said it was the longest streak in NFL history.
Colts 21, Texans 7: A year ago, Andrew Luck was struggling with an injured right shoulder that had cost him the entire season. On Saturday he wrote the best chapter of his storybook comeback, throwing for 222 yards and two touchdowns in the wild-card round of the AFC playoffs.
Running back Marlon Mack had 148 yards and a touchdown for the Colts, who will face the top-seeded Chiefs next weekend.
“We have an elite quarterback and we can throw it for 400 and win when we have to,” coach Frank Reich said. “But when you can win like this — running the football and stopping it — that’s just everything.”
The Texans’ Deshaun Watson was sacked three times and hit eight more in a disappointing playoff debut. He finished with 235 passing yards with a touchdown and an interception.