The Dallas Cowboys lost following a strong performance by former Cowboys running back Rico Dowdle, putting their record at 2-3-1.
DALLAS — Safe to say, Carolina Panthers running back Rico Dowdle was not bluffing when he told the Dallas Cowboys to “buckle up” for their Week 6 reunion.
Earlier this week, Dowdle told reporters in Charlotte that the Cowboys need to “buckle the chin straps up tight because I will be coming.”
At halftime, the ex-Cowboy has 97 total yards against his former team — including 13 carries for 80 rushing yards. The 26-year-old accounted for 42 of the Panthers’ 63 yards on their opening drive, which ended with a field goal. He was their best player on offense so far on Sunday.
Dowdle spent the first five years of his NFL career with the Cowboys but was not re-signed in the offseason. He signed with Carolina and was elevated to starting running back the last two weeks with Chuba Hubbard out with an injury.
The Cowboys gave up the lead early in the third quarter, when Rico Dowdle scored a touchdown against his old team. A 36-yard touchdown reception from Bryce Young, to make it 20-17 Panthers, just 1:41 into the third quarter. Dowdle had a terrific day to back up his ‘buckle up’ comments, amassing over 200 yards from scrimmage for a second straight week.
Dallas would answer with another Dak Prescott touchdown pass. He changed the play at the line of scrimmage and found George Pickens on a slant route for a 34-yard touchdown pass. Pickens showed off the speed, bursting away from the Panthers’ secondary to score.
The Panthers would answer yet again. A 5:18 drive spanning 65 yards over 10 plays, capped by Tet McMillan’s second touchdown reception of the day, to lead 27-24 early in the fourth quarter.
Dallas would strike back, with more Prescott-to-Pickens brilliance, as Pickens shrugged off defenders and went for 45 yards. But the Cowboys would bog down inside the 10 and have to settle for a game-tying field goal, making it 27-27.
Both offenses would have ugly series to follow, with both teams going three-and-out.
Then Carolina would run it down the Cowboys’ throat over the final 6:07 of the game, driving 71 yards in 14 plays, setting up a game-winning 33-yard field goal attempt from Ryan Fitzgerald.
The Cowboys fall to 2-3-1 and welcome the Washington Commanders next week.