As the Dallas Cowboys prepare to take on the Panthers in Week 6, all eyes will be on former Cowboys running back Rico Dowdle. Coming off an all-timer performance in Week 5 against the Dolphins in which he ran for 206 yards, Dowdle is looking to continue the momentum in Sunday's revenge game. In fact, he told the Cowboys to "buckle up", adding, "I think they know for sure. They didn't keep me there for five years for no reason".
Cowboys Aren't Too Worried About Rico Dowdle Ahead of Week 6
The Cowboys, however, don't seem overly concerned with Dowdle. Stephen Jones and Brian Schottenheimer both spoke highly of Dowdle during the week, not taking the bait. On the other hand, defensive tackle Kenny Clark was less forgiving, responding to Dowdle's comments, "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," per Calvin Watkins of the Dallas Morning News.
Since Clark never played with Dowdle, arriving in Dallas after the talented rusher had already signed with the Panthers, the veteran defensive lineman can speak more freely about Dowdle.
The Cowboys could use the extra motivation ahead of Sunday as they currently rank at the bottom of the NFL in yards allowed. They are in the bottom ten in rushing yards allowed. Pro Football Focus grades them as the worst run defense in the NFL through five weeks. That is why it's understandable that Dowdle was licking his chops to face the Dallas defense.
For his part, Clark has generally been solid in his first season with the Cowboys. He has played 64% of defensive snaps so far and has recorded 1.5 sacks, two tackles, and three QB hits for a 67.7 defensive grade on PFF. His run defense grade, however, has tanked in recent weeks, after giving up a whopping 8.1 yards per carry to Breece Hall in Week 5.
Dowdle is currently tied for third in the NFL in yards per carry with 5.7, alongside the Cowboys' Javonte Williams. He has already matched his rushing TD total from last year after five games.
Clark's confidence ahead of Sunday's showdown is great to see, but Cowboys fans need to see him back it up on the field. This defense has to improve in a big way, and shutting down the red-hot Dowdle would be a great start.