A solid argument can be made that running back Tony Pollard has been the Cowboys’ offensive MVP in 2022. When Dak Prescott was out earlier in the year and the Cowboys were starved for playmakers, Pollard stepped up and provided big play after big play, keeping Dallas afloat and the Cowboys in the win column.
When Prescott returned, Pollard continued his MVP ways, leading Dallas in rushing yards, rushing yards over expectation, and touchdowns. He’s been a threat to score from anywhere on the field and Kellen Moore’s master key to unlock the offense.
Nearing the postseason, the Cowboys wisely pulled back on the reigns of Pollard. Over the final three weeks of the season, Pollard totaled just 16 rushing attempts and nine receptions.
With only 25 total touches over roughly the last month of the season, Dallas was able to enter the postseason with arguably their most important weapon rested and ready.
The results are hard to argue with. . .
Tony Pollard (#RB1) forced an absurd 9 missed tackles against TB – a new career-high in arguably the biggest game of his career (previous career high was 6) #Cowboys
— John Owning (@JohnOwning) January 17, 2023
Pollard ran for 77 yards at 5.12 yards per carry against Tampa’s stout defense. His expected points on the ground were a full 3.1 (total on the day) over his counterpart, Ezekiel Elliott.
Pollard routinely created something from nothing and added value to a play on nearly every touch. This is no departure from the norm; This season, Pollard finished seventh in the NFL in rushing yards over expected.
Sheesh, Tony Pollard. @Tp__5
📺: #DALvsTB on ESPN/ABC
📱: Stream on NFL+ https://t.co/HABicMhZeY pic.twitter.com/Ky3z3RWu4j— NFL (@NFL) January 17, 2023
By keeping his snap share down over the course of the season (50.9%) the Cowboys have reduced the amount of wear and tear most lead running backs have entering the playoffs.
The late season rest was also the result of a thigh bruise that kept him out against the Titans in late December; a game Pollard likely would’ve played if not for the competition level. Added all together, it has given Dallas a fresh postseason Pollard who already played a major role in dispatching the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the wild-card round. Now he’ll be key to success against San Francisco in the divisional matchup with the 49ers.