Panthers' Rico Dowdle Hypes Cowboys Revenge Game After Historic Day, 'Buckle Up'

Carolina Panthers running back Rico Dowdle is ready for a revenge game against the Dallas Cowboys after his historic performance Sunday against the Miami Dolphins.

Dowdle tied a franchise record and set a new career high by racking up 206 rushing yards in a 27-24 comeback Week 5 victory over the Dolphins.

He is now set to face the Cowboys in Week 6 for the first time since his former team let him walk in free agency.

"Oh, sure. They've got to buckle up," Dowdle said Sunday night when asked if the Cowboys should take a "message" from his career outing. "I think they know, for sure. I'd been there for five years. They didn't keep me there for five years for no reason."

In response to Dowdle's comments, Dallas head coach Brian Schottenheimer told reporters that his team would "buckle up":

Dowdle originally joined the Cowboys as an undrafted free agent in 2020 before recording 1,079 rushing yards in a breakout 2024 campaign.

He cashed in on that contract year by signing a one-year deal with the Panthers this offseason.

Dowdle got off to a slow start to the 2024 season as Chuba Hubbard's backup, totaling 23 carries for 83 yards with one touchdown during the Panthers' 1-3 start to the campaign.

But with Hubbard sidelined by a calf injury against the Dolphins, Dowdle took advantage of his first start of the year by recording one of the best performances of his career.

▶️ Full Dolphins-Panthers Recap

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The Panthers fell behind early against the Dolphins and trailed by as many as 17 points in the second quarter.

Dowdle helped Carolina launch a second-half comeback highlighted by a franchise-record 53-yard run in the third quarter.

He later ran in a touchdown that gave the Panthers their first lead of the game with just over 10 minutes left on the clock.

Panthers head coach Dave Canales will now have to consider both Hubbard's injury status and Dowdle's performance when deciding who should start against the visiting Cowboys when Week 6 kicks off next Sunday at 1 p.m. ET.