The Dallas Cowboys’ offense has been on an upward climb to build up the run game with RBs Tony Pollard and Rico Dowdle.
With Pollard and Dowdle having two different run styles, the team could utilize a one-two-punch approach, as they did with Pollard and RB Ezekiel Elliot last season.
How the Dallas Cowboys’ Run Game Found a Pulse
The West Coast offensive system that the Cowboys adopted has emphasized the passing game more than the run.
But with the colder weather and wins in the forecast this weekend at Highmark Stadium against the Buffalo Bills, the team will need to rely more on the run than in previous games.
Pollard has taken 653 offensive snaps this season, putting him in 70.67% of total snaps. Meanwhile, Dowdle has taken 195 snaps, which is 21.10% of the total offensive snaps.
Keep in mind, these snaps don’t reflect the amount of carries both of the running backs have had this season, as these numbers also factor in the snaps that these two are blocking to open up for the passing game and help out the offensive line.
A large part of why the run game has taken this long to establish is that the offensive line has been building continuity over the last six games.
In turn, the trickle-down to the run game is starting to finally shine through.
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“We kind of got off to a slow start, but we’re getting it together at the right time for this run at the end,” Dowdle said. “Those guys just put the work in each and every day, and the coaches.”
Dowdle said now it’s a matter of fine-tuning small details and fixing the small things.Â
Now the Cowboys’ Run Game Has a Heartbeat
But Sunday’s game against the Philadelphia Eagles was the most ball distribution between Pollard and Dowdle yet, especially because the playcalling stayed true to establishing the run.
Pollard had 16 carries for 59 yards, and Dowdle had 12 carries for 46 yards — on top of both backs being involved in the passing game as well (Pollard had seven catches).
Dowdle says the two backs are getting into a great rhythm for both to stay fresh, knowing there will not be a drop-off with whoever is on the field.
“Just both able to go out there, pound the defense down, and go the distance. Defense can’t really game plan for one guy coming in … We both got the ability to do it all, so that helps out a lot,” Dowdle said.
Pollard was the No. 2 behind Elliott last season. Dowdle said he learned to make the most of every opportunity he gets from watching Pollard in the second running back position he is now in himself.
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