The Panthers got quite the bargain in running back Rico Dowdle.
Signed as a free agent to a one-year, $2.75 million contract, Dowdle has had a pair of huge games as the replacement for Chuba Hubbard, who has a calf injury.
According to the NFL, Dowdle is the sixth running back in the Super Bowl era with at least 225 yards from scrimmage and a touchdown in back-to-back games. The others are Vikings running back Dalvin Cook (2020), Steelers running back Le’Veon Bell (2014), Saints running back Deuce McAllister (2003), Rams running back Marshall Faulk (2002), and Bears running back Walter Payton (1977).
In Sunday’s 30-27 win over the Cowboys (Dowdle’s former team), he had 183 rushing yards on 30 carries and 56 receiving yards on four catches, plus a touchdown.
Last week, Dowdle had 206 rushing yards and 28 receiving yards in a win over the Dolphins.
Jerry Jones is the only owner and/or General Manager in the league to hold court after every game. Or almost every game.
The Cowboys owner did not meet with the media after Sunday’s 30-27 loss to the Panthers, Clarence Hill of All City DLLS reports.
Jones rarely misses an opportunity to talk postgame, win or lose, and the reason for skipping Sunday’s session is unknown.
In his pregame interview with Kristi Scales of the Cowboys Radio Network, Jones made a joke about Rico Dowdle’s warning about the Cowboys’ needing to “buckle up” to face him.
“I can’t even get our guys to come to the field they’re shaking so bad,” Jones told Scales, via Jon Machota of TheAthletic.com.
The Cowboys chose not to re-sign Dowdle in the offseason, letting him leave for the Panthers in free agency. Dowdle, who had more than 200 yards rushing in winning NFC offensive player of the week honors last week, had 239 total yards and a touchdown against his former team.
The Cowboys rank 32nd in total defense and have now allowed 360 rushing yards on 60 carries the past two weeks combined.
Jones doesn’t have a history of firing coaches in mid-season or paying them off before their contracts expire. So, defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus might not be in trouble.
Head coach Brian Schottenheimer expressed his confidence in Eberflus after the game.
“Matt’s a great coach. Everywhere he’s ever been he’s had good defenses,” Schottenheimer said, via Machota. “It’s not just Matt by himself. Matt’s trying. The players are trying. This is not a lack of effort.”
Rico Dowdle warned the Cowboys, who joked about his “buckle up” comment after he rushed for more than 200 yards last week. The running back, who signed with Carolina this offseason after Dallas let him walk in free agency, rushed for 183 yards, had 56 yards receiving and scored a touchdown.
The Panthers upset the Cowboys 30-27 on a last-play field goal by Ryan Fitzgerald.
Carolina is now 3-3, while Dallas fell to 2-3-1.
Cowboys fans were giddy after a tie with the Packers two weeks ago and a decisive victory over the Jets last week. It was fool’s gold.
The Panthers proved the better team on Sunday, outgaining the Cowboys 410 to 292. They held Javonte Williams, who they signed to replace Dowdle, to 29 yards on 13 carries and forced a three-and-out by the Cowboys the last time Dallas saw the ball.
Meanwhile, Dowdle dominated the Dallas defense with a career-high 30 carries and is a candidate to win a second consecutive NFC offensive player of the week award. He is only the fifth player in NFL history with consecutive games of at least 200 scrimmage yards.
Bryce Young completed 17 of 25 passes for 199 yards with three touchdowns and an interception that wasn’t his fault. Tetairoa McMillan had three catches for 29 yards and his first two career touchdowns.
Dak Prescott continued to play like one of the top players in the league, but it wasn’t enough. He completed 25 of 34 passes for 261 yards and three touchdowns. George Pickens caught nine passes for 168 yards and a touchdown, and Jake Ferguson contributed three catches for 33 yards and a score.
Tetairoa McMillan quietly has had a solid rookie season, but the Panthers wide receiver had no touchdown catches in his first five games. He has two today.
McMillan’s second touchdown, a 2-yarder from Bryce Young, has given the Panthers a 27-24 lead with 12:20 to go in the fourth quarter.
McMillan has three catches for 29 yards.
Rico Dowdle has done the most damage, getting 155 rushing yards on 24 carries against his former team. He’s also had four catches for 56 yards and a touchdown.
Bryce Young is 14-of-18 for 174 yards with three touchdowns and an interception.
After a 200-yard rushing game last week, a performance that won him NFC offensive player of the week, Rico Dowdle warned his former team to “buckle up.”
The Cowboys joked about it, but they’re not laughing today.
Dowdle’s 36-yard catch-and-run to the end zone has given the Panthers a 20-17 lead over Dallas.
The Panthers doubled up by getting a field goal on their last drive of the first half and took the opening kickoff 80 yards in only four plays.
Dowdle, who rushed for more than 1,000 yards with the Cowboys last season, has 90 yards on 15 carries and three catches for 53 yards and a touchdown.
Bryce Young has completed 11 of 14 passes for 160 yards with two touchdowns and an interception.
The Panthers have 258 yards against the league’s worst defense with most of the second half to go.
