After years of battling injuries and limited opportunities, Rico Dowdle is finally making his mark in the Cowboys’ backfield. On Sunday night, in a gritty win over the Pittsburgh Steelers, Dowdle led the Dallas run game with a career-high 20 carries and 87 rushing yards—his best performance to date.
It was the most productive outing for a Cowboys running back this season, just in time for a crucial showdown against the Detroit Lions, who boast one of the league’s toughest run defenses. Dowdle’s confidence is rising at just the right moment.
“I’m very confident,” Dowdle said. “It’s just always been about getting the opportunities, making the most of them, and finding that rhythm.”
Dowdle found his groove during the Cowboys’ 16-play, 90-yard touchdown drive in the third quarter. He accounted for nine touches and 58 yards on that drive alone, capping it with a 22-yard receiving touchdown that gave Dallas the lead.
“They didn’t adjust to what we were running, and we literally were just gashing on them,” Dowdle said of the Steelers’ defense.
Despite losing left tackle Tyler Guyton to injury early in the game, the Cowboys’ offensive line stepped up, with Tyler Smith and T.J. Bass creating plenty of running lanes for Dowdle. The “next man up” mentality, a mantra for Dallas this season, was on full display once again.
“It’s always been the case here, guys going down, guys have to step up,” Dowdle added. “When it’s that time to make that play and get your opportunity, you definitely have to take full advantage of it.”
The Cowboys now face a Detroit defense that ranks third in the NFL in rushing yards allowed, giving up just 363 yards through four games. But Dowdle is ready for the challenge.
“Just continuing to try and build on it, we’re playing against another great run defense,” he said. “It’s going to be a challenge, and we’ll have to face it how we did last season… just have to continue to stack.”
Dowdle’s ability to contribute as both a runner and receiver has been crucial for Dallas. He’s caught a touchdown pass in back-to-back games, and if he scores another through the air on Sunday, he’ll be the first Cowboys running back to catch a touchdown in three consecutive games—a feat never before accomplished in franchise history.
“I always think I’ve been able to be a receiver out of the backfield,” Dowdle said. “It’s just about getting the opportunity to make those plays.”
With a growing role in both the ground and air attacks, Dowdle is proving he can be a difference-maker for Dallas. As the Cowboys prepare to face one of the NFL’s top rushing offenses in Detroit, all eyes will be on Dowdle to see if he can keep up his momentum.
