Nov 11, 2016 By Christopher B. Mueller for The 4 min read

PITTSBURGH — The Steelers will face a strenuous task on Sunday in trying to slow down Ezekiel Elliott, the rookie Cowboys running back currently taking the NFL by storm through the first half of the season.

Elliott, the No. 4 overall selection out of Ohio State, can do it all. He’s a strong runner in between the tackles who still has the ability to bounce runs to the outside. He’s a receiving threat out of the backfield, and can pick up linebackers in blitz recognition. As the early comparisons are coming in, some mention Eric Dickerson. Others note Earl Campbell, or Hopewell’s own in Tony Dorsett.

Elliott even has already been mentioned in the same breath as former Cowboys running back Emmitt Smith, the NFL’s career leader in rushing yards.

“He’s really good,” fellow Ohio State product Cam Heyward said. “He does a lot for that team. He fits their scheme well. I can just remember last year I was cheering him on, but now I get to play him. Looking forward to the challenge.”

Elliott leads the league with 891 rushing yards in eight games and is on pace to break Dickerson’s 33-year-old rookie rushing record. He’s averaging 5 yards per carry with seven touchdowns, and has caught 16 receptions for an additional 155 yards. Ryan Shazier, who practiced against Elliott while they were teammates at Ohio Sate, sees a more groomed version of Elliott that added detail to talent since entering the NFL.

“I don’t know if anyone is as good as a college freshman as they are a rookie in the NFL, but he was still great,” Shazier said. “I knew he was going to be one of the top backs coming out his freshman year. He’s been learning patience. He’s been learning how to continue to run his feet. He had great coaches on staff at Ohio State. I can definitely see it carrying over.”

Elliott without question is a dynamic back, but he’s also running behind arguably the best offensive line in football.

Up front, Dallas features three former first-round picks all under age 25 in Tyron Smith, Travis Frederick and Zack Martin that already have seven Pro Bowls between them. Rookie guard La’el Collins is a former LSU standout who was projected as a first-round pick before his draft stock fell because of off-field concerns. Collins played solid before a torn ligament put him out 6-10 weeks, but the Cowboys haven’t skipped a beat with back-up Ronald Leary in his place. Right tackle Doug Free is in his seventh year as a starter in the league.

“I think they just stick on blocks,” Heyward said. “They’re athletic. They move very well, but we look forward to challenges like that as a front seven. This is one of those ones that we circle on the calendar because we know we can control the game.”

Heyward is exactly right. If the Steelers are able to somehow slow down Dallas’ running production and make its offense one-dimensional, it will place added pressure on rookie quarterback Dak Prescott’s shoulders. Prescott has been exceptional for a rookie, albeit he’s also benefited from the fact that Dallas’ ability to run the ball. But Prescott will be on the road, in Heinz Field nonetheless, which is an environment that is no easy task to succeed in.

Ultimately, the Steelers’ ability to stop the run this week willl determine how they fare against the NFL’s No. 3 ranked offense. The Steelers’ run defense was back to regular form a week ago against the Ravens after two consecutive uncharacteristic performances, but the Cowboys’ running back/offensive line combination is like none other they’ve seen this season.

“Stay tuned,” Mike Tomlin said. “They’re a great group. We have our work cut out for us. We’re going to be measured by our ability to minimize that element of the game, but I’m sure everybody who’s played them in the last six or seven weeks has had a similar approach. It’s going to be a challenge.”