Dalvin Cook

The Cowboys have tried and failed to move the ball with a couple of over-the-hill running backs, Ezekiel Elliott and Dalvin Cook, this season.

The Cowboys have tried and failed to move the ball with a couple of over-the-hill running backs, Ezekiel Elliott and Dalvin Cook, this season.

Cured from his illness, Dowdle again looked like the best back on the field with Ezekiel Elliott inactive. His touchdown catch came on a Prescott scramble. Prescott lobbed it to Dowdle, and after he got a hand on the ball to tip it up in the end zone, then caught it as it fell directly into his lap as he was on the ground. If the Cowboys are going to be this screen-focused, Dowdle should make for a PPR scheme as long as he continues to have this level of workload. He out-touched Dalvin Cook 17 to two today.

He was outrushed not only by Rico Dowdle, but by Dak Prescott and CeeDee Lamb as well. Cook didn't emerge until the third quarter, and then was instantly the reason the Cowboys got called for 12 men before a crucial fourth-and-short go. He's not startable in fantasy football at this point.

Cowboys RB Ezekiel Elliott did not travel with the team to Atlanta and won't play vs. the Falcons on Sunday. Zeke is out for disciplinary reasons, according to multiple reports. His absence could mean an expanded role for RB Rico Dowdle. Or RB Dalvin Cook could soak up Elliott's snaps and touches. Dowdle remains the only viable fantasy play in this backfield. His ceiling is a bit higher now than it was a few hours ago.