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Buccaneers: How to Stop Ezekiel Elliott on Sunday Night

By Alan Schechter

Dec 11, 2016; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; Dallas Cowboys running back Ezekiel Elliott (21) runs the ball against the New York Giants during the first quarter at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 11, 2016; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; Dallas Cowboys running back Ezekiel Elliott (21) runs the ball against the New York Giants during the first quarter at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports /
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Dec 11, 2016; Tampa, FL, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers defensive tackle Gerald McCoy (93) warms up prior to the game against the New Orleans Saints at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jonathan Dyer-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 11, 2016; Tampa, FL, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers defensive tackle Gerald McCoy (93) warms up prior to the game against the New Orleans Saints at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jonathan Dyer-USA TODAY Sports /

Seal the Edge

The Bucs will most definitely have a tall order on Sunday, stopping the league leading running back in Dallas. Although stopping Elliot is tough it’s not impossible. I do believe we will see a heavy dose of Robert Ayers and William Gholston on first and second down. With those two guys sealing the edge and containing, they will force Elliot right into the arms of GMC and the linebacking core.

The linebacking core will be key throughout the game. Lavonte David and Kwon Alexander are two of the fastest linebackers to the ball in the NFL, on Sunday they have to play at their best. Stopping Elliot will not be a one-man job, it will be a team effort. The defense needs to commit to making Dak beat them through the air, not Elliot on the ground. In order to stop Elliot on Sunday the family has to have each other’s back.

–Marc Magana

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