Most of the hype regarding the Dallas Cowboys playing in the Divisional playoffs centers mainly around rookies Dak Prescott and Ezekiel Elliott. This is for obvious reasons of course. But, playing in his first playoff game ever is veteran running back Darren McFadden, who is excited to finally have the chance.
“For me it’s like living out another dream, just getting into the playoffs,” McFadden said, per Jon Machota of SportsDay. “It’s been so long for me.”
After spending seven seasons playing with the Oakland Raiders, the former first-round pick was signed by Dallas in 2015. And his services were very much needed last year. Despite the Cowboys being an utter mess that season and finishing 4-12, McFadden was a true work horse. He played in all 16 games, tallying up 1,417 total yards and three touchdowns.
Clearly with Elliott dominating the field in 2016, McFadden lapsed back into a smaller role when he returned to the lineup healthy in the latter stages of the season. Once again, McFadden will take a backseat when the Cowboys step onto the field on Sunday to face Green Bay.
Either way, McFadden appears to be happy just to be along for the ride.
“I’m just always ready for whatever they give me,” McFadden said, “whether they try to up my workload or pull back. I’m always ready, whatever it is.”
If McFadden’s Cowboys win this weekend, they’ll be headed to the NFC Championship Game for the first time since 1995.