DALLAS — Tony Pollard is catching national attention for his 100-yard rushing performance against the Los Angeles Chargers in the Dallas Cowboys' 20-17 Week 2 buzzer beater from Sunday at SoFi Stadium.
The third-year running back has been nominated for FedEx Ground NFL Player of the Week for Week 2. Pollard ran 13 times for 109 yards and a touchdown and also caught three passes for 31 yards.
Pollard faces stiff competition. Also on Sunday, Cleveland Browns running back Nick Chubb rushed 11 times for 95 yards and a touchdown in their 31-21 win over the Houston Texans. Meanwhile, running back Derrick Henry was the difference maker for the Tennessee Titans' 33-30 overtime win at the Seattle Seahawks as he churned out 182 yards and three touchdowns on 35 carries.
The Cowboys generated 419 yards of total offense and went 2-of-3 in the red zone with a 2-of-2 rate in goal-to-go. One of those efforts came from Pollard as he opened the game’s scoring on a 4-yard, 1st-and-goal run in the first quarter.
Even though the Cowboys' offense didn't generate near 30 points like in Week 1's 31-29 loss at the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Dallas nevertheless picked up the yards and conversions necessary to keep control of the game. Pollard’s effort spelling for starter Ezekiel Elliott was a big part of the equation.
"It was big for the team having a tough game like that, a close one, back and forth, momentum just swinging," Pollard said after the game. "It was big for the offense to come out and finish the game with the game-winning field goal and come out with the ‘dub.’"
Football fans have a chance each week to recognize top performers under center or on the ground with the FedEx Air & Ground NFL Player of the Week Awards, in which players in games from Thursday through Sunday are eligible. Voting is open here until Wednesday at 3:00 p.m. Eastern Time each week of the season. Football fans can also cast their votes on Twitter using the @NFL published polls on Twitter and via the NFL Mobile App.
FedEx will make a $2,000 donation in the names of the winning quarterback and running back for a weekly total of $4,000 to Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU). Each donation made in the name of the winning quarterback and running back go towards needs-based scholarships to deserving HBCU students.
The FedEx Air nominees include Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Tom Brady, who threw five touchdown passes; Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray, who threw for 400 yards; and Las Vegas Raiders signal caller Derek Carr, who posted a 126.2 passer rating in their win at the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Do you think Tony Pollard has earned more looks out of the backfield for the Cowboys? Share your thoughts with Mark on Twitter @therealmarklane.