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3 Cowboys With the Most to Gain Over Final 5 Games of the Season

With only five games remaining in the 2024 NFL season, these three Dallas Cowboys have the most to gain down the stretch.

By Devon Platana

Dallas Cowboys head coach Mike McCarthy stands on the sidelines against the Washington Commanders during the third quarter at Northwest Stadium.
Dallas Cowboys head coach Mike McCarthy stands on the sidelines against the Washington Commanders during the third quarter at Northwest Stadium. / Geoff Burke-Imagn Images
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2. Rico Dowdle, RB

For the majority of the 2024 campaign, the Cowboys' running back room has been among the NFL's worst. Ezekiel Elliott's return to Dallas has been nothing short of a bust and the team's backfield currently ranks among the league's worst when it comes to rushing yards per game (31st) and yards per carry (T-31st).

Having said that, Rico Dowdle has provided some occasional bright spots when the Cowboys haven't been able to get anything going on the ground.

Through 11 appearances, the ex-South Carolina RB has turned a career-high 134 carries into 600 yards while also making 32 receptions for another 195 yards, scoring a total of four touchdowns along the way. His 795 total scrimmage yards are a significant increase over his 2023 performance (505) despite playing five fewer games this season.

Dowdle is a pending free agent, though, meaning the next five weeks are huge for him. Although he hasn't been the most dominant backfield option, he's done much better than Elliott and could be in line for a huge pay increase if he can maintain his momentum down the stretch — whether that offer comes from the Cowboys or another team.

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