Brett's Cowboys Corner

The Cowboys will matchup against a familiar opponent in Rico Dowdle this Sunday. Spending his first four years in the NFL in Dallas. Dowdle was named the starting running back in his final year, eclipsing 1,000 rushing yards in 2024 and just two touchdowns.

He was signed to Carolina after not being offered a new contract in Dallas. So far this season he already has matched those two touchdowns. He will be looking for his revenge game against Dallas, telling the media that the Cowboys need to “buckle up” and be ready Sunday.

Dowdle had 28 carries for 83 yards for the first four weeks of the season, of course playing behind starter Chuba Hubbard. Due to an injury, Dowdle got a starting opportunity against the Miami Dolphins and had himself a day.

He received the NFC Player of the Week award and is looking ahead to build on that great game against the Cowboys.

“Man he got to back it up. I’m not much into talking. They ain’t play nobody like us. We ain’t play them, so he’ll watch the film and see what he’s playing against.” Kenny Clark on Rico Dowdle saying the Cowboys need to buckle up Sunday.

The Panthers will look to utilize the run game against Dallas, but the eagerness of wanting to unleash the passing game, especially against a low rated pass defense may be too tempting.

Bryce Young and the Panthers offense looks downfield often to make explosive plays but they have not been able to find a consistent pattern yet. Young will look to target the rookie 1st round pick Tetairoa McMillan.

Bryce Young has completed 11 of 23 downfield passes (47.8%) for 238 yards and an interception when targeting Tetairoa McMillan this season (10+ air yards).

This may be a week for the Dallas zone defense, Young has struggled against zone this season. Recording league lows in yards per attempt (4.0) and dropbacks success rate (34.9%), as well as the 2nd-lowest completion percentage (52.8%), when facing Cover 3 this season.

Whereas all seven of his touchdown passes has come against man coverage.

Will this be the week that the 2-3 Panthers find stability or will the high ranked Dallas offense be too quick to keep up with.