For the first time all season, the Carolina Panthers have won two games in a row. And just as the team did the previous week against the Miami Dolphins, they won the game in comeback fashion.
The Panthers defeated the Dallas Cowboys 30-27 on a last-second field goal from rookie Ryan Fitzgerald. The final drive orchestrated by quarterback Bryce Young was executed to perfection, using up the clock, getting in field goal range, and ensuring the Cowboys had no time to respond. For the entire game, however, the most significant catalyst in the win was running back Rico Dowdle.
Dowdle, the former Cowboys player, minced no words about what was coming the Cowboys’ way, and on Sunday, he backed those words up.
“Buckle Up”
Panthers running back Rico Dowdle had two words for his former Cowboys teammates ahead of their game: “Buckle up.” Hopefully, the Cowboys players heeded his advice because on Sunday, they were in for a bumpy ride.
Dowdle set a Panthers franchise record with 239 yards from scrimmage, including 183 yards rushing, 56 yards receiving, and a touchdown.
Dowdle’s performances over the last few weeks aren’t just historic to the franchise’s history, but to the entire league’s history as well.
ESPN Insider Adam Schefter on Twitter wrote about the great company that Dowdle finds himself in after the last two weeks.
“Carolina RB Rico Dowdle totaled 239 scrimmage yards today and 234 last week,” Schefter said. “Dowdle is now the sixth running back in the Super Bowl era with at least 225 scrimmage yards and a touchdown in consecutive games, joining Dalvin Cook (2020 with Minnesota), Le’Veon Bell (2014 with Pittsburgh), Deuce McAllister (2003 with New Orleans), Marshall Faulk (2002 with the St. Louis Rams) and Walter Payton (1977 with Chicago).”
Dowdle is turning heads of teammates and coaches alike while he’s filling in for the injured Chuba Hubbard. Dowdle is trying to show that his first 1,000-yard season last year with the Cowboys was anything but a fluke.
Standing in the Moment
Rico Dowdle knew he was potentially adding fuel to the fire with his comments ahead of the Cowboys game, but he was always fully prepared to back up his words.
Panthers.com writer Kassidy Hill wrote about Dowdle’s historic day and included comments from Panthers head coach Dave Canales discussing the emotion of the game from Dowdle’s perspective.
“He’s human. I’m sure there’s emotions for him coming from his former team and all that, so I will acknowledge that part of it,” admitted Canales. “But I didn’t see a difference from what he did last week. I just saw great execution and great attitude when he ran the ball.”
Canales acknowledged that emotions were high for Dowdle, but when the whistles blew, his only focus was on finding ways for the Panthers to win.
Dowdle agreed with Canales’ comments and discussed being able to stand in the moment.
“Just stand in the moment. I know what I said, those comments. I talked to a couple of guys out there. They know I meant no harm, but that’s me. I just always talk, joke around with them, and things like that,” explained Dowdle. “But yeah, just stand in the moment. Don’t never let it get too high. Don’t never get too low. I come here to do a job and I know what I got to do when I go out there.”
The status of Panthers starting running back Chuba Hubbard is unknown for next week’s game against the New York Jets, but one thing is for sure: it will be hard to keep Dowdle off the field moving forward.
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