Dowdle’s Breakout Game Propels Cowboys to 27-20 Victory Over Giants

With Tony Pollard’s departure in free agency, the Dallas Cowboys running back room was a question mark heading into the season.

Fifth-year running back Rico Dowdle has stepped up to fill the void with the best season of his NFL career. Dowdle ran for a career-high 112 yards with a touchdown in the Cowboys 27-20 victory over the New York Giants on Thanksgiving Day at AT&T Stadium.

The game featured the South Carolina product’s first 100-yard game in the NFL, his first rushing touchdown of the season and the longest run (22 yards) by a Cowboys running back this season. Postgame, Dowdle talked about what it meant to have this type of performance in front of a national audience.

“That means a lot,” said Dowdle.“To come out here and have this type of performance. Like I said, give credit to those guys up front. Get my first, actually, my first rushing touchdown of the season, and my first 100-yard game. So, definitely feels good for me.”

The win was the Cowboys’ first at home since the start of the season and snapped a six-game home losing streak which began with a loss to the Green Bay Packers in last year’s playoffs and Dowdle said it was a much-needed victory.

“We’ve been disappointing pretty much at home, but definitely that first one felt good, winning always feels good, on Thanksgiving too especially. Definitely felt great to get that first home win,” said Dowdle.

Dowdle made sure to credit his offensive line for opening up holes for him.

“I think those guys did a (expletive) of a job upfront. But that just comes with the preparation those guys put in, staying ready for when they opportunity comes and making the most of it. So kudos to them,” said Dowdle.

Cowboys owner Jerry Jones joined Dowdle complimenting the offensive line for their run blocking in the game.

“What I’m encouraged about is that running room and movement that we’re getting on that offensive line. That’s particularly impressive considering the way we’re having to use different players on that offensive line,” said Jones.

It was the first 100-yard game by a Cowboys running back at home since Tony Pollard ran for 131 yards against the Chicago Bears in week 8 of the 2022 season.

Dowdle has established himself as the lead running back over the past month after splitting carries with Ezekiel Elliott to start the season. He had more carries in Thursday’s game (22) than Elliott (11) has had over the last month. Dowdle credited his steady dose of carries with his increasing effectiveness on the field.

“I’ve been firm on that since the beginning. With the flow, getting that rhythm. Think it speaks for itself,” said Dowdle.

Dowdle signed with the Cowboys as an undrafted free agent following the 2020 NFL Draft and he struggled with injuries in his first two years losing an entire season to a hip injury in 2021 and struggling through an ankle injury in 2022.

Dowdle has already eclipsed his rushing yardage total from last season (361) with five games remaining and has had 10 or more carries in seven of his past eight games.