Elliott averaged a career-low 3.3 yards per carry (98 yards on 30 carries). He also only caught six passes for 36 yards.

Dowdle, the team’s No. 1 running back at the time, was more efficient and productive. He rushed for 221 yards on 54 carries (4.1 YPC) and caught 11 passes for 101 yards.

Elliott was once one of the best running backs in the NFL. The three-time Pro Bowler and former All-Pro also led the league in rushing yards in his rookie year (2016) and 2018. In his seven seasons, during his first stint with Dallas (2016-2022), he had 10,598 yards from scrimmage and 80 touchdowns.

There is no doubt about his tremendous performance, but the fact is that the 29-year-old is no longer as efficient as he once was. His yards per carry dropped from 4.2 in 2021 to 3.8 in 2022 to 3.5 in 2023 (with the New England Patriots) and is now at 3.3. Dowdle is the better defender at this point and that’s why he gets the majority of the work.

Elliott hasn’t been completely written off as an RB2 yet, but one imagines he’ll retain that role for the foreseeable future while Dowdle takes on a bellcow role of sorts.

As for the Cowboys, they are now 3-2 after a two-game winning streak. Next up is a home game with the Detroit Lions on Sunday.