ARLINGTON, Texas _ In what was a huge must-win game in Week 4 of the season, the Dallas Cowboys leaned on what they could count on most.
No, it was not quarterback Dak Prescott slinging it around to open up the struggling pass offense as promised by offensive coordinator Scott Linehan.
And while Prescott played well, passing for a season-high 255 yards and two touchdowns, it was running back Ezekiel Elliott, going for a career-high 240 yards in total offense. He rushed for 152 yards and caught four passes for 88, including a 38-yard touchdown on a screen.
The deciding play was a 34-yard over the shoulder grab from Prescott on game-winning field goal drive to power the Cowboys to a 26-24 victory against the Detroit Lions at AT&T Stadium.
The Cowboys (2-2) got the desperate win, thanks to a clutch 38-yard field goal from new kicker Brett Maher as time expired.
"It was just a big-time play," coach Jason Garrett said. "Zeke is an outstanding football player. "He ran the ball really well really well today. But he is an outstanding receiver, both coming out of the backfield and when we line him up on the line of scrimmage. Dak liked what we saw in coverage. Zeke did a great job on the route. Talk about a nut-cuttin' time throw. Critical situation to make that throw and for Zeke to be able to finish and put us in position for the game winner was big time. Brett did a great job drilling it. He didn't blink."
Now, they head into next Sunday's game against the Houston Texans (1-3) fighting for the pride of the state with all their goals for the season still intact.
Prescott showed poise and confidence and Elliott showed his versatility to go with his dominance.
"I think we got back to our old self, and it showed," Elliott said. "We wore that defense down. We hit some big runs in the second half after we wore them down and then we went out there and did what we had to do to win the game. We needed it. Probably the most important win this time of year."
