In the Dallas Cowboys’ 27-21 loss to the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday, there was a silver lining: running back Rico Dowdle. In Week 9, Dowdle received the most significant workload of his career, getting 12 carries in the absence of Ezekiel Elliott, who was sidelined due to disciplinary reasons. Dowdle delivered an impressive performance, rushing for 75 yards on those 12 carries, averaging 6.3 yards per attempt. Additionally, he contributed five catches for 32 yards and a touchdown, showcasing his versatility and playmaking ability.
This game could signal a turning point for Dowdle’s role in the Cowboys’ offense. With his strong showing, many fans are now calling for Dowdle to be the team’s primary running back moving forward. It seems likely that the Cowboys will shift away from their previous running back-by-committee approach, especially after seeing how effective Dowdle was when given a true starting role. His performance against the Falcons was a clear statement that he deserves to be the top option in the backfield.
Head coach Mike McCarthy had previously stated that a running back committee wasn’t his preferred method, but the Cowboys’ struggles with other backs, including Elliott and Dalvin Cook, make it hard to ignore Dowdle’s superior performance. His success highlights a major issue with how the Cowboys’ coaching staff has handled the running back position this season. Despite Dowdle’s clear potential, the team prioritized Elliott as the starter for much of the season, a decision that now seems misguided, especially given Elliott’s declining production and Dowdle’s breakout game.
It’s clear that the Cowboys have mismanaged their running back situation up to this point. Dowdle’s abilities were evident even during the offseason, but the team persisted in giving Elliott and others more opportunities. After a strong showing in Pittsburgh, Dowdle was still overlooked in favor of Elliott, even during critical moments like the Detroit Lions game. It’s only now, in Week 9, with Elliott out, that Dowdle has finally been treated as the team’s clear-cut RB1, which raises questions about the coaching staff’s decision-making earlier in the year.
Despite his standout performance, Dowdle remains focused on the team’s larger challenges. The Cowboys, now sitting at 3-5, are in a tough spot, and Dowdle is aware that their season is at a crossroads. He expressed the need to keep fighting and emphasized that the team must continue to work through their struggles to get back on track. The future is uncertain, but Dowdle’s play has given hope that the Cowboys can turn things around if they make the right decisions moving forward
