Sunday night’s win marked the first time in his injury-riddled Cowboys career that running back Rico Dowdle was truly given the chance to shoulder a significant workload for Dallas. He logged 20 carries—the most in his career—for 87 yards, along with two receptions for 27 yards and a touchdown, delivering the best performance by a Cowboys running back this season.
This was also the standout game of Dowdle’s five-year NFL career. His previous personal best had been 79 rushing yards on 12 carries last November against the Giants, which had been his most yardage and carries in a game to date.
Dowdle has shown that he thrives as a rhythm runner, suggesting he performs best with a steady volume of carries. However, he’s rarely been afforded this opportunity in Dallas, spending most of his career behind Ezekiel Elliott and Tony Pollard.
On Sunday, Dowdle got his chance during the Cowboys’ 20-17 win over the Steelers. His message to the coaching staff: Keep giving him the ball.
“It felt good. Like I’ve said all along, it’s all about finding a rhythm,” Dowdle said via the Cowboys’ website. “We stuck with it. The linemen were opening holes, and we were able to pound it down against a strong Pittsburgh defense.”
Potential New Lead Option for Dallas
Dowdle might just be the answer for a Cowboys running game that entered Week 5 ranked dead last in the NFL in yards gained. Against the Steelers, the Cowboys tallied 109 rushing yards—their first 100-yard game since Week 1—and slightly improved to 31st in rushing yards for the season.
It’s a small step forward, but the Cowboys may have found what they’ve been missing in Dowdle: a reliable, every-down back. His emergence could allow the team to reduce touches for veteran Ezekiel Elliott, who has struggled in his return to Dallas after spending last season with the Patriots.
After allowing Pollard to leave in free agency last winter, and opting not to draft a running back in April, Dallas brought back Elliott and committed to a “running back by committee” strategy for the 2024 season. However, Dowdle’s performance is positioning him as a potential lead back. With veteran Dalvin Cook waiting on the practice squad, the team could soon be ready to adjust their rotation.
Rico Dowdle: ‘They Kept Feeding Me’
Dowdle nearly cost the Cowboys the game late in the final drive. With 35 seconds left and Dallas down 17-13, he attempted a dive up the middle from Pittsburgh’s 1-yard line but fumbled. Quarterback Dak Prescott recovered the loose ball, preventing a turnover.
Dallas later sealed the win with a fourth-and-4 touchdown pass to Jalen Tolbert. Prior to that, Dowdle contributed 21 yards to the 70-yard touchdown drive.
After the game, Dowdle credited his consistency in getting carries for his late-game success.
“That’s always been the case for me,” Dowdle said. “As the game goes on, I feel like I get stronger. It’s just about finding my rhythm. I was feeling good, and they kept feeding me.”
