Tony Pollard on disappointing season: 'I hold myself to a higher standard'

After a breakout season in 2022, it sure looked like Tony Pollard was going to take another leap. He ran for over 1,000 yards to make his first career Pro Bowl, and he took over as the lead back after the Cowboys parted ways with Ezekiel Elliott.

Instead, Pollard is averaging 1.2 fewer yards per carry as he brings 935 yards and five touchdowns into Week 18. When the NFL announces this year’s list of Pro Bowlers, Pollard didn’t make the cut, meaning he’s in line to miss the game.

Dallas has leaned into the passing game this year with its “Texas Coast Offense,” which had quarterback Dak Prescott in the MVP conversation at one point because of his strong play. The running game, meanwhile, struggled to get going. Pollard admitted he was hoping for more.

“I hold myself to a higher standard,” Pollard said, via DallasCowboys.com’s Nick Harris. “I try to be my hardest critic and my hardest judge before anybody else can. So I’m always hard on myself.”

This season is Pollard’s first as the full-time starter after starting four games a year ago behind Elliott. His 235 carries are also a career high, although his 4.0 yards per carry is the worst of his career. As a team, the Cowboys rank 14th in the NFL in total rushing yards, led by Pollard and Rico Dowdle.

On an individual basis, this year hasn’t been up to Tony Pollard’s standards now that he’s getting the majority of the carries. But the Cowboys are still in strong position with the playoffs looming, currently holding the No. 2 seed in the NFC. That said, Pollard said he’s hoping to find more of “a rhythm” going forward.

“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.”

The Cowboys will wrap up the 2023 regular season this week against the Washington Commanders. With a win or a Philadelphia Eagles loss, Dallas can secure the NFC East title. That would also secure the No. 2 seed. There’s still plenty to figure out, and the picture will get clearer Sunday at noon ET.