WHILE MOST OF the talk after Dallas’s comprehensive victory over the Cincinnati Bengals on Sunday night revolved around whether or not the Cowboys had a quarterback controversy, Ezekiel Elliott had yet another impressive showing at running back.
After a difficult start, the former Ohio State back has averaged 137 yards and a touchdown in each of his last three games.
Against the Bengals, 60 of his 134 yards came on one run that resulted in a touchdown.
If you missed it, here’s how it looked on TV:
Pre-snap read: Offence
The Cowboys are lined up in their 12 personnel grouping with two tight ends — Jason Witten (red) and Geoff Swaim (blue) — and a running back — Elliott (yellow) — in a single-back formation.
The twist on this formation is that it is known as a ‘H-Back’ set (though most call it a two tight end set these days).
Developed by Joe Gibbs, former head coach of the Washington professional football team, the formation sees one tight end employed in the traditional blocking role while the other is available as a pass catcher should the need arise.
Before the snap, Swaim makes his way from the right of the Dallas offensive line to the left, causing a shift in the defence that shows quarterback Dak Prescott that they are playing zone defence.
Pre-snap read: defence
The Bengals are in Cover 2 meaning two safeties — Shawn Williams (#36) and George Iloka (#43) — each responsible for covering half of the field on a deep pass.
Up front, Cincinnati are in their base 4-3 formation with Karlos Dansby (orange), Rey Maualuga (purple) and Vontaze Burfict (green) the Sam (strong-side), Mike (middle) and Will (weak-side) linebackers respectively.
The Sam linebacker is the one lined up on the side of the field with the tight end, or in the case of two tight ends, the side with the most offensive personnel.
At the snap
Here’s where we must give credit to the fat guys up front.
The Dallas offensive line is ranked by Football Outsiders as the best run-blocking front-five in football and they prove why on this play.
From left to right — Tyron Smith (#77), Ronald Leary (#65), Travis Frederick (#72) Zack Martin (#70) and Doug Free (#68) — they all execute their blocks perfectly.
As you can see below, Leary even manages to throw a quick block on Domata Peko (#94) before moving on to Dansby (#56) while Martin – ranked by Pro Football Focus as the second-best guard in the league — easily accounts for the Bengals’ biggest threat on the defensive line, Geno Atkins (#97).
However, the run could still have been stopped in the backfield were it not for the blocking of the tight end Swaim, who moves across the line to stop Carlos Dunlap (#96) from even getting a hand on Elliott.
Free’s heads-up block of Maualuga (#58) should also be noted.
What happens next?
Elliott runs very, very fast.
His 4.47 40-yard dash time at the NFL combine was nothing to write home about but he clocked a top-speed on this run of 34.6 kph.
To put that in context, Usain Bolt’s 100m world record was run at an average speed of 44.7 kph. He wasn’t wearing pads though.
Elliott’s top-speed was the second fastest rushing touchdown of 2016 — Isaiah Crowell hit 35.35 kph earlier this year — but it meant the Rookie of the Year candidate was almost impossible to catch.
And none of it would have been possible without the fat guys ahead of him creating the space in the first place.
Notes
The role of Jason Witten on this play should not be understated.
The veteran tight end may not have blocked anybody but, as you can see below, he occupied two defenders — Iloka and Burfict — either of whom could have easily made a tackle on Elliott had they not been preoccupied with #82.
cork needed the win more …limerick competed …both sides will be happy at this stage in the year .
Dont know where ye got the stat that limerick were looking to secure their 5th victory on the bounce over cork. Their last 2 meetings were draws
@domas1507: Getting bate after extra time doesn’t count no?
@Padraig McElligott: actually no. The game us officially recorded as a draw if its level at full time. The extra time is to decide who goes forward but the game is officially a draw
@domas1507: Limerick beat Cork on the day officially or otherwise. The last two meetings between the two sides before today – one draw and one Limerick victory. You don’t draw your way into an All Ireland Final.
@Padraig McElligott: we all know ye won so congratulations again and again and again
@Padraig McElligott: So they weren’t going for their 5th victory on the bounce. Thanks for clearing that up.
Should have been thr result in last year’s semi-final…
@Forfar So Good: Hmmm juicy lemons….
@Colm O’Sullivan: Thought i might get someone to bite:-)
@Forfar So Good: aaaaw
Cork deserved the win. They have found a centre back in Tim O’Mahony. He was my man of the match. Limerick could never get into their stride like in previous weeks, and when they did they gifted Cork their second goal. The two new boys, Dooley for Cork and O’Brien for Limerick both performed well. It’s the kickstart that Cork needed and a kick up the backside that Limerick will eventually welcome.
@Colm O’Sullivan: thats probably the best thing said about the game. Fair play
Unbelievable win for Cork against the greatest team to ever play the game and shoe ins for the all Ireland.
Hopefully results like this will help the game develop in developing hurling counties like Cork etc
@damien o brien: :-))))))
@damien o brien: lol
@damien o brien: such unwarranted bitterness and condescension. Well done Cork the better team won today.
There will be absolutely nothing in it if these teams were to meet in the championship.
Will do Limerick no harm at all to taste defeat
@Alan Fitzgerald: Ah jaysus Alan go out and get a bit of air I’d say..
That limerick fella isn’t saying much now!!!!
Great win for Cork, who could have had a few more goals. Held on when it looked for all the money Limerick were going to go through them.
That’s a great result for Cork, winning away to the All-Ireland champions.
Sluggish display from Limerick, did well to draw it back level but missed chances proved costly in the end.
On to Ennis next week now.
So we have a championship after all !! This time last week they were handing Liam to Limerick ….
@David O’Neill: Not really. Prior to Limerick beating Kilkenny and to a lesser degree Tipp, the media have spent pre season telling everyone how Limerick will struggle to get out of Munster let alone mount a title challenge again. Only when they beat Kilkenny did the media have to eat their words and back peddle somewhat to give this team some credit. Any Limerick fan will tell you that they’ll treat every game in Munster and on like a cup final, however we’re tired of being brandished nothing more than a team that “gives 100% commitment”, though plenty of that it’s high time they recognise the skill levels of our hurlers.
@No: Limerick are a serious team and as you say Munster is a minefield but how these journalists make predictions like that in February is beyond me !!! What i will say is 6 or 7 teams will feel they can win it this year !!
@No: You’re a bit over the top there. Nobody is brandishing Limerick like you say. Everyone recognises their skill levels. But they’re starting with a clean slate this year. They’ve a 60% chance of coming out of Munster. No more nor no less than the other 4 counties.
Should’ve been a draw. I don’t begrudge cork there win . But the ref gave limerick a free in 5 from the end …. he hadn’t seen the hand pass to Cian Lynch who was thundering down on the goals with only the keeper to beat ….and he knows he made a mistake (an should have played the advantage) because he wrapped both hands around his head!!
Big scalp for Cork hurlers today.
@Anyone But Cork: actually was cheers. Considering the last few results. Thanks for your support. ; )
Martin Brennan won’t know what to do with himself now tonight with that win!!
Cork needed that big time and that defeat could well be a blessing in disguise for Limerick considering the way they have been built up in the last couple of weeks. Limerick have proved they can win an All-Ireland and will be there or thereabouts again this year. Hopefully Cork improve from last year but still think we are a couple of players short.