Dallas Cowboys Struggle While Dowdle Shines
In a season filled with challenges, the Dallas Cowboys find themselves grappling with a frustrating 3-6 record, compounded by a four-game losing streak. Injuries have sidelined key players such as quarterback Dak Prescott, who is out for the season following hamstring surgery, and defensive staple DaRon Bland, who is nursing a stress fracture. With the defensive line looking notably thin, the Cowboys are turning to fresh faces like rookies Tyler Guyton and Cooper Beebe to shore up their weakening lineup.
Amidst this turbulence, one shining light has emerged for the Cowboys' offense—Rico Dowdle. The undrafted free agent out of the University of South Carolina has stepped into the role of leading running back, replacing Tony Pollard who departed for the Tennessee Titans. Dowdle has quietly but steadily proven himself an essential component of the Cowboys' offensive arsenal over recent weeks.
A New Dynamo in the Backfield
Though Dallas finds itself struggling overall, Dowdle's performance has been a beacon of hope. With 374 rushing yards on 83 carries, Dowdle is averaging a respectable 4.5 yards per carry and has found the end zone three times through the air this season. His career-high performance against the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 5, which saw him rack up 87 rushing yards and a 22-yard receiving touchdown, highlighted his capability for explosive play.
Dowdle's emergence is even more remarkable given his journey. "Undrafted to now being the starting running back for America's Team. Definitely, I take great pride in that," Dowdle commented, reflecting on his rise through the ranks. Overcoming significant injury problems, including a broken hip several years ago, Dowdle’s perseverance is now paying dividends. He remarked, "I've always had confidence that I would be able to go out there and get the job done."
Coaching Confidence and the Path Forward
Head Coach Mike McCarthy has voiced his belief in Dowdle as the driving force behind the Cowboys' ground game. McCarthy stated, "Definitely, you have to get him the ball. That's my focus to continue to get him opportunities. He's the lead back. I thought he had a really good first half [against the Eagles], and I think that's really illustrated by the attempts. Rico needs to touch the ball."
McCarthy's confidence is echoed by backup quarterback Cooper Rush, who praised Dowdle's relentless running style: "Yeah, Rico's running hard. He's running fast, running hard. He broke a couple long ones there for us last week. He's been doing that all year. He's been consistent, and we look forward to every time he touches it."
Despite these individual successes, Dallas ranks among the league’s most struggling rushing teams, averaging just 83.7 rushing yards per game—the second fewest in the NFL. Looking ahead, the Cowboys are preparing to face the Houston Texans, a team boasting a run defense ranked 11th in the league. This matchup will be yet another test for Dowdle and the team's offensive line as they seek to find rhythm and reclaim success.
The Drive for Consistency
Dowdle himself believes the key to turning the Cowboys’ season around lies in finding consistency within their running game. Speaking on his preferred role compared to a running back committee approach, he said, "The committee approach was something that wasn't working for us, so I stood firm on wanting to find that rhythm since the beginning. You want to be able to get out there and get the bulk of the carries and find that rhythm. ... It's all about finding that rhythm."
As the Cowboys push forward, Dowdle's development and determination stand as a testament to his resilience and reliability, echoing his resolve to perform at peak levels: "In my past, it was all about the injuries and things like that, but now I feel that I've got my body in the best shape and best position possible for me. So I definitely think I can go out there and operate at a high level of consistency."
With several games yet remaining in the season, the Cowboys will look to turn their fortunes around. And as they do, Rico Dowdle’s story continues to unfold—one rushing attempt at a time—underscoring a journey from adversity to NFL prominence. The task remains arduous, but with talents like Dowdle seizing the opportunity, Dallas is poised to battle fiercely through these turbulent times, driven by the hope of brighter days ahead.