EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — Inside the guests locker room Sunday at MetLife Stadium, Ezekiel Elliott had lower than an hour to have a good time his first win as a Patriot earlier than wanting forward.
Elliott didn’t want a reminder of the following opponent on the Patriots’ schedule. It’s his former staff, the one he hoped to spend his total profession with: Dallas.
“I was definitely disappointed, but everything happens for a reason,” Elliott mentioned of his launch in Dallas. “God has his plan for us. I’m excited for this next chapter in my life. I’m excited to be a Patriot, I’m excited to go chase a Super Bowl here.”
Elliott performed the primary seven years of his profession in Dallas, the place he took nearly 2,000 carries, made three Pro Bowls and one All-Pro staff. He gained Offensive Rookie of the Year in 2016, speeding for 1,631 yards and 15 touchdowns, single-season marks he’s but to high once more. Elliott loved three extra 1,000-yard seasons in Dallas earlier than the Cowboys launched him final spring.
Five months later, the Pats inked him to a 1-year deal. Against the Jets on Sunday, he rushed for a season-high 80 yards on 16 carries.
Elliott, 28, later mirrored on his time in Dallas, which included successful the primary College Football Playoff nationwide title with Ohio State in Jan. 2015.
“It’s going to be fun to go back to Dallas, a place where I spent so much time and a stadium that I played in a lot. It means a lot,” Elliott mentioned “I actually won a national championship inside AT&T Stadium. I have a lot of history in that stadium. It’ll be fun to get back out there in front of the fans.”
Through three video games in New England, Elliott has break up carries with high again Rhamondre Stevenson. He’s rushed for 122 yards at 4.4 yards per carry and caught six passes for 21 yards. Elliott’s hard-charging model helped the Pats convert just a few key first downs in opposition to the Jets.
“There isn’t any fall off when Rhamondre comes out,” Elliott mentioned, “so there’s constant pressure on the defense.”
Patriots coach Bill Belichick praised Elliott for his early contributions post-game.
“We’re getting a little bit of a feel for some of the things with him and vice versa,” Belichick mentioned. “I thought he had a couple real good runs, thought he did a nice job getting his pads down, got some tough yards, and his vision was good on a couple cutback plays.”
Patriots defenders have seen it, too.
“I think he’s finding his rhythm now,” mentioned security Jabrill Peppers. “He’s running hard, protecting the ball better. In my opinion, we have two of the best in the league back there. “So, we’re going to keep feeding them.”