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Rico Dowdle has emerged as a key figure in the Dallas Cowboys' offense, proving that consistency and rhythm are the keys to unlocking his full potential.
Early in the season, Dowdle emphasized the importance of getting into a groove through ample touches, and now, with steady opportunities, he's delivering impressive results.
Over the last three games, Dowdle has carried the load with remarkable efficiency, rushing for 112, 131, and 149 yards while handling at least 18 carries in each contest.
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With just 120 more yards needed to reach the 1,000-yard milestone, the running back is poised to cap off what has become a breakout season.
Dowdle grew as the game progressed
Offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer has lauded Dowdle's unique ability to get stronger as the game goes on, a quality rarely seen in modern running backs.
"He gets stronger and better the more carries you get," Schottenheimer declared.
"It's a physical, daunting task to carry the bulk of the load, but Rico thrives on it. When his shoulders are square, and he's running with confidence, he's incredibly tough to bring down. He doesn't fade as the game wears on-he gets better."
Injury setbacks hampered Dowdle earlier in his career, making his current surge all the more remarkable. Now healthy, he's showing why he's capable of being the bell cow the Cowboys desperately needed this season.
With backup quarterback Cooper Rush at the helm, Dowdle has become the driving force behind the Cowboys' offense. Over the past month, Dallas has gone 3-1, though a late-game mistake by Amani Oruwariye against the Cincinnati Bengals kept them from a perfect 4-0 stretch.
Despite the team's overall struggles, Dowdle's emergence offers a rare bright spot in an otherwise challenging season. His ability to energize the offense has been crucial, and the Cowboys appear ready to continue leaning on him in their remaining games.
While it may not salvage the season entirely, Dowdle's breakout campaign is giving the Cowboys a reason to hope-and something to build on for the future.