Tony Pollard breaks Cowboys season record with touchdown run

Thanks to an efficient showing from running back Tony Pollard, the Dallas Cowboys were able to get back in the win column on Thursday, beating the New Orleans Saints 27-17.

Just last week, the Cowboys lost their second straight game — this one, coming at the feet of Daniel Carlson, who kicked a game-winning field goal for the Las Vegas Raiders in overtime. Not only had the Cowboys dropped three of their last four games after a 6-1 start, but a three-game losing streak — which they were able to avoid on Thursday night — could have spelled trouble, despite their lead in the NFC East. But the Cowboys finally managed to pull away with a 10-point lead late in the third quarter, as Pollard broke off a 58-yard touchdown run for Dallas.

Theres goes Tony Pollard 🏃‍♂️💨

Down the sideline for a 58-yard touchdown! @Tp__5

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📱: https://t.co/LMzEctbvnL pic.twitter.com/a997wSA6QS

— NFL (@NFL) December 3, 2021

Pollard’s run helped etch his name into Cowboys record books, at least for the time being. According to NFL Next Gen Stats, Pollard’s 58-yard touchdown run saw him reach a top speed of 21.17 miles per hour, the fastest speed reached by a Cowboys’ ball-carrier this season, and the second-straight week Pollard has set a career high in speed.

He was able to set a speed record, not just for himself but also for the Cowboys. And in the process, Pollard also scored his fourth-career rushing touchdown of at least 40 yards, which is good for third-most in Cowboys history. The only two Cowboys with more? Hall of Fame running backs Tony Dorsett and Emmitt Smith.

The Cowboys defense was also stellar in Thursday’s victory, forcing Taysom Hill into a career-worst performance shortly after the Saints sat Trevor Siemian in favor of the multi-faceted signal-caller. Dallas forced Hill to throw four interceptions, matching his career total of four in the 142 career passing attempts he had entering the night. Four different Cowboys registered the interceptions, including defensive end Carlos Watkins, who returned his 29 yards for a touchdown, safety Damontae Kazee, safety Jayron Kearse and cornerback Trevon Diggs, who now has a spectacular, NFL-leading nine interceptions. Hill finished the day with 19 completions in 41 attempts, good for just 264 yards, two touchdowns and four interceptions, while rushing for 101 yards on 11 carries.

Pollard led the Cowboys’ rushing attack with seven carries for 71 yards and the 58-yard touchdown, while Ezekiel Elliott — who may not have been at 100 percent with a lingering knee injury — took 13 carries for 45 yards. Dak Prescott finished the night with 26 completions in 40 attempts, 238 passing yards, one touchdown and one interception.

With the win, Dallas moved to 8-4, and the Cowboys will head into a well-deserved bye week after two consecutive nationally-televised Thursday night games. In two weeks, they’ll travel to face the Washington Football Team on Dec. 12.