Oct 12, 2025; Charlotte, North Carolina, USA; Carolina Panthers running back Rico Dowdle (5) runs with the ball during the second half against the Dallas Cowboys at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Scott Kinser-Imagn Images
Carolina Panthers running back Rico Dowdle delivered an impressive performance against his former team, the Dallas Cowboys, securing a 30-27 victory at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte. Dowdle’s standout game on October 15, 2023, included a remarkable total of 239 scrimmage yards, which significantly contributed to the Panthers’ record, improving it to 3-3 for the season.
In the lead-up to the Week 6 matchup, Dowdle made headlines by warning the Cowboys that they needed to “buckle up.” Following his explosive performance, he expressed his satisfaction, emphasizing that the Cowboys were not prepared for what he had in store. “They wasn’t buckled up,” Dowdle remarked, as reported by David Newton of ESPN.
Before the game, Kenny Clark, a defensive tackle for the Cowboys, had challenged Dowdle to “back it up.” In response, Dowdle delivered a stellar performance, rushing for 183 yards on 30 carries, while also making four receptions for 56 yards and scoring a touchdown. After the game, Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott acknowledged that Dowdle “got the last laugh” in this highly anticipated matchup.
Dowdle reflected on the significance of the win, stating, “I’ve been saying all week the main thing is I just wanted to get that win. Big, big for me, but also big for the organization. Getting to .500 and protecting the home field…just got to keep building.”
The running back was originally with the Cowboys from 2020 to 2024, where he rushed for 1,079 yards last season. After the Cowboys allowed him to enter free agency, Dowdle has been excelling with the Panthers. In Week 5, he showcased his skills again, accumulating a total of 234 yards from scrimmage in a narrow 27-24 win over the Miami Dolphins. As of the following Monday, ESPN statistics indicated that Dowdle ranked third in the league with 472 rushing yards for the current season.
The game held special significance for Dowdle, and his teammates were aware of the personal stakes involved. Bryce Young, quarterback for the Panthers, emphasized this connection, stating, “Rico is a competitor. That just speaks to the dawg he is. We knew it was personal. We wanted to have his back. That’s our brother. If it’s personal to him, it’s personal to us.”
Looking ahead, the Panthers will have an opportunity to improve their record when they face the winless New York Jets on October 19, 2023. As of Monday morning, ESPN BET listed Carolina as a 1.5-point favorite for this upcoming matchup. The Panthers are poised to build on their recent success, with Dowdle playing a pivotal role in their offensive strategies.
