Running back Rico Dowdle exploded for 206 yards in Week 5 and immediately sent a warning to his old team. His 206-yard performance marked the second-highest single-game rushing total in Panthers history. Dowdle carried 23 times with a touchdown as Carolina rallied from 17-0 down to beat the Dolphins 27-24.
Now, Dallas head coach Brian Schottenheimer has responded ahead of Sunday’s reunion.
What Did Brian Schottenheimer Say About Rico Dowdle’s Comments on Facing the Cowboys?
In a social media post from Joe Person, Dowdle made his intentions clear after Carolina’s comeback win over Miami. In a locker room interview, the running back warned his former team about their Week 6 matchup.
“Sure, they got to buckle up. I think they know for sure. I’ve been there five years. They’ve been keeping me there for five years for no reason. I definitely said that, but looking forward to playing those guys next week.”
The undrafted back signed a one-year deal with Carolina in March after becoming Dallas’s first undrafted player to rush for more than 1,000 yards in 2024. Through five games, Dowdle has earned a C+ grade in PFSN RB Impact Metric, ranking 16th nationally among qualifying running backs on the season.
Dallas head coach Brian Schottenheimer addressed Dowdle’s comments during his media availability. Schottenheimer kept his response light but acknowledged the challenge ahead.
“It’ll be good to see Rico this weekend. I know we’ll have to buckle up, he said. We’ll bring our seatbelts, Rico.”
The Cowboys enter the matchup at 2-2-1 after a 37-22 road win over the Jets in Week 5. Javonte Williams leads their backfield following Dowdle’s departure. Carolina sits at 2-3 and hasn’t won consecutive games since 2021, making Sunday’s revenge game a critical opportunity to build momentum.
Dowdle has 51 carries for 289 yards and two touchdowns through five games with the Panthers. His explosive performance against Miami showed he can still be the featured back Dallas never fully committed to during his five seasons there.
The matchup features contrasting units. According to PFSN’s Offense Impact metrics, Dallas ranks third with a 90.1 score and an A- grade, while Carolina’s offense sits 20th at 72.7 (C-). In PFSN Defense Impact rankings, Dallas sits 30th with a 58.9 score and an F grade, while Carolina’s defense checks in 20th at 71.2 (C-).
The numbers point to an interesting matchup. Dallas brings a top-tier offense against Carolina’s average defense, while the Cowboys’ struggling defense has to deal with Dowdle and the Panthers’ ground game. Kickoff is Sunday at 1 p.m. ET in Charlotte.