Dowdle’s Career-Best Performance Leads Dallas

In Sunday night’s 20-17 victory over the Pittsburgh Steelers, Cowboys running back Rico Dowdle finally had the opportunity to prove his potential. Dowdle carried the ball 20 times for 87 yards and added two receptions for 27 yards, including a touchdown, making it his best performance of the season and his career.

This game marked the first time in Dowdle’s injury-ridden Cowboys career that he was given a chance to carry a significant load. Prior to this, his career-high was 79 rushing yards on 12 carries, which he achieved last November against the Giants. But in this Week 5 matchup, Dowdle established himself as a reliable option for the Cowboys’ backfield, sending a clear message to the coaching staff: keep feeding him the ball.

“It felt good,” Dowdle said after the game. “It’s just like I said the whole time, it’s all about finding a rhythm. The linemen were making holes, and we were able to pound it down against a good Pittsburgh defense.”

Could Dowdle Be Dallas’ Answer at Running Back?

Dowdle’s strong showing could be what the Cowboys need to address their struggling run game, which came into Week 5 ranked 32nd in the NFL. Against the Steelers, the team managed 109 rushing yards, marking only their second game of the season where they exceeded the 100-yard mark.

The Cowboys, who lost Tony Pollard in free agency, have relied on a committee approach with Ezekiel Elliott returning for 2024. However, Dowdle’s breakout game may signal a shift toward him becoming the primary back. With veteran Dalvin Cook on the practice squad, the team has the option to shuffle its running back depth as needed.

Dowdle’s ability to find a rhythm and his endurance throughout the game make him a viable lead-back candidate. As the Cowboys look to improve their ground attack, Dowdle’s strong message to the coaching staff could lead to an increased role moving forward.