Niner Noise
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2019 NFL Wild Card weekend: Top 5 takeaways from Round 1 of playoffs

By Peter Panacy

ARLINGTON, TEXAS - JANUARY 05: Michael Gallup #13 of the Dallas Cowboys comes down with the touchdown reception against Shaquill Griffin #26 of the Seattle Seahawks in the second quarter during the Wild Card Round at AT&T Stadium on January 05, 2019 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images)
ARLINGTON, TEXAS - JANUARY 05: Michael Gallup #13 of the Dallas Cowboys comes down with the touchdown reception against Shaquill Griffin #26 of the Seattle Seahawks in the second quarter during the Wild Card Round at AT&T Stadium on January 05, 2019 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images) /
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ARLINGTON, TEXAS – JANUARY 05: Ezekiel Elliott #21 of the Dallas Cowboys does the “feed me” gesture after a first down in the fourth quarter against the Seattle Seahawks during the Wild Card Round at AT&T Stadium on January 05, 2019 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images)
ARLINGTON, TEXAS – JANUARY 05: Ezekiel Elliott #21 of the Dallas Cowboys does the “feed me” gesture after a first down in the fourth quarter against the Seattle Seahawks during the Wild Card Round at AT&T Stadium on January 05, 2019 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images) /

No. 4: The Cowboys Can Run Their Way to the NFC Championship

Unlike the vast majority of the league, the Cowboys and Seahawks never needed to rely heavily on a pass-happy offensive attack. No, it was about the running game for both these teams, and Dallas managed to get the most of its own approach at home against Seattle.

Granted, it’s easier to state the effectiveness of running back Ezekiel Elliott after the Cowboys picked up wide receiver Amari Cooper from the Oakland Raiders this season. Cooper’s presence opens up easier opportunities for Elliott, and such was the case versus the Seahawks.

While Cooper was impressive, hauling in seven receptions for 106 yards, Elliott was the big star of the game, rushing for 137 yards and a touchdown, averaging 5.3 yards per carry in the process.

Of course, it helped Dallas was going up against a Seattle defense that allowed an average of 4.9 yards per carry this season — third worst in the NFL.

Still, the Cowboys are a run-first team even after acquiring Cooper. He merely gives Dallas another weapon, which opens things up on the ground.

It sure worked on NFL Wild Card weekend.