Rico Dowdle's Career Day Was Fueled by Heartbreaking Event

The Dallas Cowboys' offense absolutely broke out in Week 10, as several players enjoyed season-high performances against the Dallas Cowboys.

Running back Rico Dowdle even had the best showing of his career, setting a new personal high with 79 rushing yards. He also scored his first touchdown on the ground since entering the league in 2020, making this a truly special day.

However, Dowdle revealed after the game that he played with a heavy heart.

Dowdle told Michael Gehlken of the Dallas Morning News he found out this past Thursday that one of his best friends, Jalen Walker, had passed away at only 27 years old. The RB admitted he hadn't "slept much this week" in the lead up to the Giants showdown, but he also "wanted this game" for his fallen friend.

Playing with much more than just football on his mind, this makes Dowdle's Week 10 performance no surprise. He wanted to honor Walker, and he did just that by having the best game of his career and leading the Cowboys in rushing yards on the day.

The 25-year-old has shown flashes of being a playmaker this season, and his outburst versus New York proves he has what it takes to make a difference in a featured role. Dallas rewarded Dowdle for his efforts with a season-high 12 attempts in Week 10, and that should continue considering how well he played on Sunday.

The physical runner out of South Carolina emerging as a legitimate weapon at running back down the stretch could have massive implications for the Cowboys' offense as they vie for another playoff spot.

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