Pro Bowl running back Ezekiel Elliott decided to take the blame for Dallas Cowboys’ blowout 38-10 loss to Arizona Cardinals on Monday night.
Elliot lost two fumbles early in the ball game, with Cardinals turning the turnovers into two touchdowns. Speaking with reporters after the game, the 25-year-old player acknowledged that these mistakes shifted the momentum of the contest and allowed Arizona to play more care-free.
“I started the game out with two fumbles, gave the ball away, and gave them all the momentum they need to go take off,” said Elliot. “I want to say I’m sorry, and this one is on me. I need to be better.”
This was the first time in Elliot’s career that he fumbled twice in a single game. He now has five fumbles in 2020, four of which were recovered by an opposing team.
Ezekiel Elliott’s recklessness with the ball is especially worrying for the Cowboys, considering that they previously lost starting quarterback Dak Prescott for the season. Dallas’ head coach Mike McCarthy intended to make Elliott the focal point of his offense after this but might now reconsider his stance.
“At the end of the day, Zeke is our bell cow. We need to get it right,” said McCarthy after the Arizona game.
Elliott hasn’t been prolific in 2020 as in some previous years and is yet to clear 100 yards in a single game this season. He rushed for 413 yards and five touchdowns so far while averaging career-low 4.1 yards per carry.
