'A Higher Standard': Will Dallas Cowboys RB Tony Pollard Reach Playoff Goals?

'A Higher Standard': Will Dallas Cowboys RB Tony Pollard Reach Playoff Goals?

The 2023 season provided a huge opportunity for Dallas Cowboys running back Tony Pollard, although it hasn't quite gone to plan.

With Ezekiel Elliott out of the picture, Pollard would be the Cowboys' undisputed top running back in his career. While he hasn't been bad per se, rushing for 935 yards and five touchdowns, he hasn't been as effective as he was previously. The most obvious sign of the drop off is the fact that he's only averaging four yards per carry this season, compared to the 5.2 yards per attempt he had last season.

Ahead of the Cowboys' regular-season finale against the Washington Commanders on Sunday, Pollard opened up about his year thus far and why he doesn't view it as a failure.

Dec 30, 2023; Arlington, Texas, USA; Dallas Cowboys running back Tony Pollard (20) is tackled by Detroit Lions linebacker Alex Anzalone (34) and Detroit Lions safety Ifeatu Melifonwu (6) during the second half at AT&T Stadium / © Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports

"I thought I would probably have a better year than I am now," Pollard said. "Where we are as far as playoffs and rankings, I couldn't complain with everything in front of us. I would say just trying to get more at-bats at the plate. Get more repetition for the O-line and get a feel for how the defense is playing things and getting into a rhythm."

Pollard added that he strives to be the best he can at all times, which has led to a bit of disappointment this season.

"I hold myself to a higher standard," Pollard said. "I try to be my hardest critic and my hardest judge before anybody else can. So I'm always hard on myself."

However, Pollard does not view this season as a failure by any means.

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Team success is most important, and given that the Cowboys can lock up the NFC East with a win on Sunday, they've done a pretty good job of that so far. Besides, Pollard knows that he can turn a disappointing season around in the blink of an eye.

"At this point, it's just about executing and everybody getting on the same page," Pollard said. "It's one game at a time, so one game can definitely get everything going."