Ezekiel Elliott Looked Horrible Against Vikings and it Ultimately Cost the Cowboys

The Dallas Cowboys fought hard to the end on Sunday, but it just wasn't enough against the Minnesota Vikings, falling 28-24.

This end result came, in part, thanks to some abysmal play-calling at the tail end of an otherwise impressive Dallas drive.

Dallas' offense looked strong in prime-time action, specifically quarterback Dak Prescott and wide receiver Amari Cooper. But one star who completely under-performed was running back Ezekiel Elliott, who failed to find holes, take charge, or...or do much of anything, really. If the Cowboys want to win games and plan on emphasizing Elliott this much, they need to figure out what's wrong with Zeke, and quick.

On the night, Elliott had 20 carries, netting just 47 yards against the Vikings. His struggles expanded to the passing game, too; Elliott was targeted three times, catching just two passes for 16 yards.

When facing a stingy rush defense like the Vikings, these are the results you occasionally get. But Elliott is supposed to be a generational rusher. He's supposed to be Dak Prescott's engine. What happened? This wasn't even close to the same guy.

Throw Elliott's Week 9 performance out the window, because any running back can rush for 139 yards on 23 carries against a porous New York Giants defense. Even after that game, Elliott gushed that it was "the easiest 140 yards he's ever gained."

Oh, karma strikes quickly, even to the player who demands to be fed after every first down he gains.

Just look at Dallas' second-to-last drive of the game, their last true shot at glory. With the Cowboys in the red zone, after a drive littered with gorgeous Prescott passes, head coach Jason Garrett put the ball in Elliott's hands twice, and targeted him a third time on a pass. He failed to come even close to delivering, netting a total of -3 yards, and stalling 59 minutes of progress.

Now with the Philadelphia Eagles breathing down their necks in the NFC East standings, Elliott, Garrett, and the Dallas Cowboys need to figure out what happened in Week 10, and improve upon it.

If Elliott can change, he'd better change quickly. If he can't, they'd better stop giving him the ball when it matters most.