The Dallas Cowboys sit at 3-3, hovering in the competitive NFC East but needing a push to break through the inconsistency that has held them back on both offense and defense. To make this leap, the team’s focus is set on revitalizing its struggling run game.
Dallas ranks last in rushing this season, with a meager 463 yards. Interestingly, more than half of those yards come from backup running back Rico Dowdle, who has quietly been one of the few bright spots, averaging 4.2 yards per carry. His standout performance in Week 5 included 87 yards on 20 carries, but he’s seen surprisingly limited action since, with fewer than 10 attempts in four of the six games played. Instead, the load has largely fallen to Ezekiel Elliott, whose season has been a challenge, posting only 115 yards on 38 carries at a career-low 3.0 yards per attempt.
Fans have been vocal about Dowdle’s potential, and it seems head coach Mike McCarthy is taking notice. Ahead of their Week 8 matchup against the San Francisco 49ers, McCarthy emphasized the importance of incorporating Dowdle more consistently.
“It’s clear Rico needs more touches,” McCarthy remarked, acknowledging Dowdle’s reliability and ability to pick up critical yards. Beyond his contributions on the ground, Dowdle has also impressed in the passing game with 131 yards and two touchdowns across 16 receptions.
But the Cowboys may also be eyeing additional reinforcements. Dalvin Cook, who joined the practice squad earlier this year, has yet to debut. In his previous season with the New York Jets, Cook registered 214 yards on 67 attempts, averaging 3.2 yards per carry—still an improvement over current rushing performances from Elliott and rookie Deuce Vaughn, who has posted just 20 yards on seven carries.
While an instant turnaround in the run game might be unrealistic, incorporating Dowdle more and potentially activating Cook could add some much-needed stability to the offense. For the Cowboys, developing even a reliable ground game could be key to gaining the consistency they need as the season progresses.
