Ezekiel Elliott vs. Tony Pollard, Decisions Cowboys Must Make to Keep Up in NFC East

The Dallas Cowboys moved their record to 6-2 on the season with a dominant offensive performance against the Chicago Bears in a 49-29 win.

While the Cowboys have obviously been good in the first half of the season, this was by far the best offensive performance to date. Having Dak Prescott in the lineup helped, but Tony Pollard's performance as the starting running back was a difference-maker, too.

For years now, there has been a case for Pollard to have a bigger role. With Ezekiel Elliott out of the lineup, the dynamic back didn't disappoint. He had 14 carries for 131 yards and three touchdowns.

It sets up an interesting decision when Elliott eventually recovers from the hyperextended knee that held him out of the Bears game.

Choosing how to divvy up the carries between Elliott and Pollard is going to be key to the team's ceiling moving forward. Let's take a look at that decision and two others that will define the season.

There's no bigger fan of Ezekiel Elliott than Jerry Jones. The Cowboys owner has been a vocal supporter of the running back since drafting him, and Pollard's big performance once again brought another quote supporting his No. 1 back.

"Zeke's ability to punish, Zeke's ability to deliver, Zeke's ability, what he does for us in pass protection, and, frankly, Zeke's ability to make big plays are there, and we're going to go as Zeke goes," Jones said, per Jon Machota of The Athletic. "I really mean he's that integral to our success this year."

On the season, Elliott has a 57.1 percent opportunity share but hasn't been the most efficient back with his touches. He is 50th in yards per touch at 4.1, and his juke rate is 43rd in the league at 18.3 percent, per Player Profiler.

By contrast, Pollard is seeing just a 42.1 percent opportunity share while averaging 6.2 yards per touch and a juke rate of 32.1 percent, which is good for 16th in the league.

Those numbers only serve to confirm what you can see on the field. Pollard is the more explosive back at this point and should be the one leading the way in touches.

That's a difficult admission for the franchise to make. Elliott's massive contract only makes sense if he's one of the league's most productive running backs.

However, the Cowboys are better off recognizing the deal was a mistake and continuing to let Pollard lead the way when Elliott gets back.

Running back isn't the only skill position that should have the Cowboys in a quandary. CeeDee Lamb and Dalton Schultz have been reliable weapons for Dak Prescott in the passing game, but the Cowboys could use at least one more playmaker to optimize their aerial attack.

Noah Brown doesn't necessarily strike fear into secondaries, and Michael Gallup has yet to look like he did before his torn ACL. There's a reason the team reportedly discussed a trade to bring in Brandin Cooks at the NFL trade deadline, per Ed Werder of ESPN.

Help could be on the way in the form of James Washington. The deep-threat specialist was a free-agent signing this offseason but has yet to make his Cowboys debut after a broken foot in training camp landed him on the injured reserve.

It's possible that Washington is the boost they've needed. With the Cowboys deciding not to bring in a wide receiver at the trade deadline, the only other notable option would be tracking down a free agent like Will Fuller V or Odell Beckham Jr.

OBJ would be the big catch. The Rams signed him in November 2021, and he ended up being an integral cog in their offense that won the Super Bowl.

Whether the Cowboys can bring him into the fold or not could decide just how far the team goes this season.

There aren't too many questions for the defense. While the running game seems to be better with Tony Pollard getting the most carries and the passing game could benefit from another playmaker, it's the offensive line that's going to set the ceiling for the team.

Simply put, when the Cowboys are able to open up the kind of lanes they are capable of and give Dak Prescott time to throw from a clean pocket, the Cowboys are tough to stop.

The right side of the line has been solid. Zack Martin is a consistently good presence at right guard, while Terence Steele has proved he's a good starting right tackle.

There are questions on the left side, though. Namely, what to do at left tackle. Tyron Smith has not played this season because of a knee injury in which the hamstring detached from the bone in and around the knee.

While it has the potential to be a season-ender, it's sounding like he may be back sooner than expected.

In an appearance on 105.3 FM, Executive Vice President and Director of Player Personnel Stephen Jones was asked about Smith and whether he'd take back over at left tackle upon his return.

"You know, because he's three or four weeks out, we haven't had that discussion," he said.

"As that time nears, I'm sure coach [Mike McCarthy] and Kellen [Moore], [offensive line coach] Joe Philbin and that group will have some discussions about what gives us the best chance to win when Tyron gets back."

Tyler Smith, who was originally slotted to play left guard when the Cowboys drafted him in the first round of the 2022 draft, has given up four sacks with seven penalties protecting the blindside this season, per PFF.

The Cowboys are going to have to make a good determination as to whether Tyron Smith can play at that level or better and figure out how to put the five best linemen on the field for a playoff run.