Dallas Cowboys running back Tony Pollard is preparing for Sunday’s game against the New York Jets.
The team will be back home at AT&T Stadium for the first time this season, and the running back says he’s “looking forward to winning.”
Tony Pollard Recounts First Game As the Starting Running Back
Sunday’s game was his first game back since breaking his leg during the Cowboys’ NFL Wild Card Round game against the San Fransisco 49ers.
Pollard had 14 rushing attempts for 70 yards and two rushing touchdowns.
He noted that he was getting his feet wet during this game and felt he had a decent performance but felt “ready to go.”
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With Pollard stepping into the starting role this season, he had Rico Dowdle as the second running back.
Dowdle had six attempts for 24 yards during the week one matchup against the Giants.
Pollard gave Dowdle credit for playing like he did with the limited game reps he has gotten, stating, “I feel like Rico [Dowdle] did good. Especially for him, and the time he’s been here and the limited reps he’s had. It was good for him to get out there and get some game-time action. I feel like he did good.”
Productivity at the Goal Line
With Pollard’s two rushing touchdowns, he became the 10th player in Cowboys’ team history to rush for multiple touchdowns in a season opener, making him the first to do so since Marion Barber did in 2008.
Tony Pollard has rushed for two touchdowns tonight, his fourth career game with multiple rushing touchdowns.
Pollard is the 10th player in team history to rush for multiple touchdowns in a season opener and the first since Marion Barber in 2008 (at Cleveland, 9/7).
— Dallas Cowboys Public Relations (@DallasCowboysPR) September 11, 2023
Pollard explained that his touchdown was a product of a play designed to get him on the outside. But he was feeling the flow of the Giants’ defense to make it happen.
When asked about his approach at the goal line, his answer was simple, “They put me in, and I’m ready to score. That’s how I’m looking at it.”
Tony Pollard doubles up on touchdowns!
📺: #DALvsNYG on NBC
📱: Stream on #NFLPlus https://t.co/DITLbvj034 pic.twitter.com/wAY4JYFuqb— NFL (@NFL) September 11, 2023
How Will the Jets Pose a Challenge to the Cowboys’ Offense?
The running back knows the Jets’ defense will challenge the Cowboys’ offense this weekend.
“They have a great defense, especially on the D-line. With a guy like Quinnen Williams up front, they got a great linebacker corps, C.J. Mosley. They have nice corners out there. It’ll be a nice challenge for us, but we’re looking forward to it,” said Pollard.
The running back said looking forward to challenging teams is part of the job for him, and playing tough teams and impacting players is inevitable.
“You gotta look forward to those tough challenges in this sport that we play. You’re gonna play tough opponents. You’re gonna play impact players, guys on the team that can make big plays. We have guys on our team that make those same plays. You just have to be looking forward to it,” Pollard articulated.
He says playing the Cowboys’ defense every week keeps the offense better prepared to play good teams.
Pollard describes the Cowboys’ defense as one of the best in the league and makes the offense better, adding, “We’re battle-tested. We sharpen each other’s iron every day at practice. When we get to the game, it comes naturally.”
Even with this game looking different than projected, with Aaron Rodgers being out for the season, Pollard knows this is still a game the team is looking forward to playing.
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