Javonte Williams Powers Cowboys’ Run Game into One of NFL’s Best
The Dallas Cowboys' run game was always going to be a topic of hot discussion, and through five weeks, the trepidation surrounding it has gone.
Javonte Williams has quietened down all the naysayers, rushing for 447 yards and five touchdowns to be the driving force behind Dallas boasting one of the best run games in football.
With Williams running behind a makeshift offensive line against the New York Jets, with four of the five starters missing, many weren't sure if the group could hold up against the Jets' defensive line.
Well, they did, and Javonte feasted en route to a 135-yard, one-touchdown game as he averaged a crisp 8.4 yards per carry.
For young tackle Nate Thomas, it was a team effort with the standard being upheld once again.
“It was a team effort,” Thomas said. “Understanding that we come in every day, no matter who it is, we come in and we work. That's what it is around here. We come in, we work, and we get better every day. Understanding that no matter who's in the game, there's a standard to be upheld, and we hold the standard no matter who's in.”
Cowboys' run game gone from weakness to strength
Remember when Rico Dowdle and Ezekiel Elliott were running with cement in their cleats to begin last year? Now, Williams has been rolling through five weeks and doing it routinely.
Oh, how times change.
As such, the Cowboys average 134.4 rushing yards per game (ranks eighth), have the third-best yards per carry (5.4), are fifth in touchdowns (seven), and Williams is third in the league for rush yards, just 33 behind Jonathan Taylor of the Indianapolis Colts.
That is some transformation from the disaster we saw at the beginning of last season (Rico did get rolling towards the end of the year).
Credit to Brian Schottenheimer, Klayton Adams, and Conor Riley, because what was once a glaring weakness is now an obvious strength, with Javonte at the heart of it.
BREAKING: "FOOTBALL ISN’T A SHOW, IT’S A COMMITMENT" — Jared Goff’s Fiery Response to Bad Bunny’s SNL Line Shakes NFL
"WE’RE HERE TO WIN, NOT ENTERTAIN. FOOTBALL IS ABOUT HARD WORK, TEAMWORK, AND SACRIFICE, NOT THE SPOTLIGHT."
The divide between entertainment and sports has never been more apparent than it was this week after Bad Bunny’s controversial remark on Saturday Night Live
Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff wasted no time firing back at the growing trend of entertainment culture infiltrating the NFL. “We’re here to win, not entertain. Football is about hard work, teamwork, and sacrifice, not the spotlight,” Goff said, his voice firm with conviction. “This game is about what you do on the field, how you show up for your team, and the effort you give every single play. It’s not about who’s performing during halftime or who’s getting the most views.”
Goff’s words were a powerful reminder to the NFL and its fans about the true essence of football—an unrelenting, no-frills sport built on dedication and toughness. As the quarterback of a Lions team on the rise, Goff’s leadership continues to define the team’s identity. He’s made it clear that the focus should remain squarely on the field, where the game is decided by the players who put in the work day in and day out.
“We don’t need the spotlight to do our job. We need focus, we need discipline, and we need to stay hungry,” Goff continued. “We respect the fans and the entertainment industry, but our job is to win games. That’s our responsibility as players. And that’s what we’re committed to.”
Goff’s stance resonates strongly within the Lions’ locker room, where the team’s blue-collar mentality has become a key part of their resurgence in recent years. His comments reflect the broader sentiments shared by players across the league, who are increasingly frustrated with the growing commercialization of the sport. For Goff, it’s simple: Football is about the game, not the show.
“It’s easy to get caught up in the flash, but Jared’s right. At the end of the day, it’s about who puts in the work and who can perform under pressure,” said one Lions teammate. “We’re not out here for the fame. We’re out here to win, and Jared’s the leader that keeps reminding us of that.”
As the Lions prepare for their next game, Goff’s words will no doubt serve as motivation for the team. His leadership and unshakable focus on the game are a testament to his commitment to the Lions and to the sport itself. In a league that continues to blur the lines between entertainment and athletics, Jared Goff’s message is a crucial reminder: The heart of football lies in the hard work and dedication of the players, not the flash and spectacle surrounding it.
With Goff at the helm, the Lions are primed to continue their upward trajectory, driven by a quarterback who understands that in football, the real show happens on the field—where true champions are made.
