BenJarvus Green-Ellis Is Key to Patriots' Win vs. Cowboys

The number of carries BenJarvus Green-Ellis gets will single-handedly determine whether or not the New England Patriots defeat the Dallas Cowboys this weekend in Foxborough.

In a pass-happy offense led by a future Hall of Fame quarterback with top-notch receivers, the running back Green-Ellis will be the key to victory against a chaotic Dallas defense.

The last time Patriots quarterback Tom Brady faced Cowboys defensive coordinator Rob Ryan was last season in Cleveland. Ryan’s underrated Browns’ defense shut down the vaunted Pats’ offense and helped Cleveland secure a 20-point win at home.

Brady had a fairly decent day individually, throwing for 224 yards and two scores. The Pats did their usual operation of spreading the ball out, with seven different receivers catching passes. Yet, the Pats still got blown off the field.

A look at the rushing stats tells the true story. Green-Ellis was given a mere nine carries for the entire game, a pathetic amount to give to a starting running back in the NFL.

This week, against a faster and more athletic Cowboys’ defense, it will be even more important for the Patriots to use Green-Ellis as a way to keep the pressure off Brady and the passing game.

In the last season and a half, the Patriots are 16-2 when they allow Green-Ellis to run the ball 10 times or more, compared with just 3-2 when they do not. It is clear that Green-Ellis, while not a sexy offensive option, is important to the Patriots’ offense.

Green-Ellis is a north-south runner, providing a clear contrast to the spread-it-out passing game.

Green-Ellis must be give at least 20 carries if the Pats are going to win this game. Ryan’s aggressive defense will over pursue, leading to big holes for the fourth-year running back.