Rico Dowdle Emerges as Unlikely Hero in Cowboys' Resurgent Running Game
The 2024 Dallas Cowboys season has been a rollercoaster of unpredictability, offering fans and analysts plenty to ponder. Amidst the fluctuating fortunes, a surprise has emerged in the form of running back Rico Dowdle, who has revitalized the Cowboys’ running game and risen as an unexpected star.
At the outset of the season, the Cowboys adopted a running back-by-committee approach, which, unfortunately, didn't yield the anticipated results. During the first 10 weeks, Dallas managed a meager average of 83.7 rushing yards per game, leaving them second to last in NFL rankings for that category. Dowdle, one of the contributors, carried the ball 83 times, overshadowed by Ezekiel Elliott's 54 carries, Deuce Vaughn's modest 7, and Dalvin Cook's fleeting 8 carries.
But everything changed in Week 11. The Cowboys coaching staff, including head coach Mike McCarthy, decided to hand the reins to Dowdle as the primary ball carrier. The move was met with immediate success. "You always want to get a guy touches, especially more touches, with that kind of production," McCarthy said, acknowledging Dowdle's impact. Since assuming his new role, Dowdle has rushed for 357 yards on 69 carries—a remarkable turnaround for the team.
Dowdle's performance has been exceptional, highlighted by a standout effort in Week 13 when he ran for 112 yards against the New York Giants. He followed that with a career-high 131-yard game against the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 14. “We’ve been able to get the run going for sure,” Dowdle stated confidently, reflecting on the transformation.
This surge in Dowdle's productivity has directly influenced the Cowboys' overall rushing statistics. Since Week 11, their rushing average has climbed to 108.3 yards per game, catapulting them to the middle of the pack in NFL team rankings—a stark improvement from their previous standing. The change in fortunes is attributed to Dowdle's ability to integrate effortlessly with the current running schemes, as McCarthy remarked, "Well, I think it's a combination of things. He definitely fits the way we're running the football."
As Dowdle prepares to continue his hot streak, the Cowboys are set to face the Carolina Panthers next. The Panthers are notoriously lenient against the run, allowing an average of 170.1 rushing yards per game, presenting a tantalizing opportunity for Dallas's rejuvenated ground attack. Despite the favorable statistics, Dowdle remains grounded, emphasizing, "We got to come out there, and let the game play itself. I don't really pay attention to the rankings in matchups."
Dowdle's rise is not just about individual accolades but has provided a much-needed spark to a team seeking stability and success. His rushing success rate of 54.6% ranks him seventh in the NFL—a testament to how effective he has become as the leading rusher for the Cowboys.
The Dallas Cowboys' season may not have unfolded as initially anticipated, but with Dowdle’s emergence, their fortunes seem poised for a positive shift. As they venture forward with renewed vigor and strategic adjustments, the Cowboys look to keep building on their current momentum, with Dowdle at the center of the action.