Ezekiel Elliot and the Dallas Offensive Line are a Perfect Match

In lieu of any good quarterback performances last week, we were instead welcomed to a new sight in the three-month long MVP take debate: how Ezekiel Elliott deserves it.

Now, to be clear, Elliott has been an excellent rookie. He's been so good that even with a good Dallas offensive line, he's made a clear difference for the Cowboys in the open field. But advocating him or the Dallas offensive line for MVP is just part of the reductionist, weekly thinking that dominates NFL coverage. They beat a traditionally good team by running over them! Let's give this kid the Heisman too!

But, we are here not to talk about how that is silly. We are here to glorify Elliott and the Cowboys line. Let's start with the Dallas offensive line. Count with me, now: how many times do you see a defensive player get a hand on Elliott on his three touchdowns?

Here's his first, and [SPOILER ALERT] it's the best chance Pittsburgh is going to have show up in our little game.

Hmm…let's say "one arm."

The second one, coming out of the two minute warning in the fourth quarter was a 14-yard stroll in the park.

Of course, there's some debate about whether the Steelers let him score on purpose, though defensive end Stephon Tuitt denied that, saying "we don't play football like this." Taking him at his word, that's a big, fat zero hands on Zeke.

And finally there's the game-clincher with 15 seconds left, after Pittsburgh briefly took a one-point lead. It is safe to say they did not let him have this one.

And, so, we're stuck on one total defender making contact with Ezekiel Elliott on his three touchdowns. When you block like this, consistently getting defenders off the ball, you make life pretty easy for your running back. However, Elliott is actually also making the Dallas line look good. Check out this third-and-1 plunge.

Elliott plunges through the defender, and hits the first down. And how about this, another third-and-1 where Elliott makes a defender miss in the open field?

Per Football Outsiders and Sports Info Solutions, Elliott has broken 42 tackles this year, second in the NFL, behind only Arizona's David Johnson.

The truth is, as much as one or the other wants to take the credit, they share it. Elliott would not be putting up the numbers he is without the Dallas offensive line. (Or, for that matter, his fast quarterback who helps draw attention away on option plays.) And yet, the offensive line did not look so great last year blocking for nobodies.

And that's okay, because the most beautiful thing in the NFL is when all the parts come together to create what you see every time Elliott touches the ball right now.