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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 linebacker Kwon Alexander (58) celebrates with Noah Spence (57) after a stop late in the fourth quarter against the New Orleans Saints at Raymond James Stadium. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers defeated the New Orleans Saints 16-11. Mandatory Credit: Jonathan Dyer-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 11, 2016; Tampa, FL, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers linebacker Kwon Alexander (58) celebrates with Noah Spence (57) after a stop late in the fourth quarter against the New Orleans Saints at Raymond James Stadium. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers defeated the New Orleans Saints 16-11. Mandatory Credit: Jonathan Dyer-USA TODAY Sports /

Good Tackling

The reborn Buccaneer defense takes on their toughest task to date this week in the Dallas Cowboys who have rookie MVP candidates at both the quarterback and running back position. Dak Prescott has had a fantastic season, but as far as threats to the Bucs go Ezekiel Elliot is priority number one.

The key for the Bucs has to be winning at the line of scrimmage and allowing their electric pair of linebackers to wreak havoc in the backfield. Elliot is among the very best in yards after contact, so David and Alexander will need to be sound tacklers and create tackles for loss that force Dak Prescott into long conversions. Elliot has yet to be stopped by anyone this season, so he’s most likely going to get his 100 yards rushing. What the Bucs can do however is be sure Elliot stays out of the endzone, like the Giants did last weekend, and make the rookie quarterback beat them.

–Michael Horan

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