Rico Dowdle's fantasy football outlook could hinge on the Carolina Panthers' backfield plans heading into Sunday's matchup against the Dallas Cowboys, a defense allowing the most fantasy points per game to opposing running backs this season.
ESPN's Field Yates said on Fantasy Focus that Dowdle "was incredible in Week 5" and could be in line for another big day depending on how Carolina handles its running back rotation. His comments came as Chuba Hubbard's status for Week 6 remains uncertain.
Yates currently has Dowdle ranked 34th among running backs in projections that assume Hubbard will play.
When Hubbard has been active this season, Dowdle hasn't topped a 39% snap share and has just six total targets in those games, including three straight contests with only one. Yates believes that while Dowdle's role could see some growth even with Hubbard in uniform, it may not be enough for managers to start him confidently.
Dowdle is coming off a strong performance in Sunday's win over the Miami Dolphins. He rushed for 206 yards and one touchdown, and added 28 receiving yards.
Yates praised his aggressive running style and credited Carolina's "very adept run‑blocking offensive line" for helping create lanes last week.
The matchup ahead adds intrigue. Dowdle will be facing his former team, the Dallas Cowboys, who have allowed 26.9 fantasy points per game to opposing running backs, the worst mark in the NFL. Notably, both Breece Hall and Josh Jacobs topped 150 total yards against Dallas in back‑to‑back weeks.
Yates added that last week could prove to be a turning point for the Panthers' backfield split, suggesting "a little bit less Chuba and a little bit more Rico" going forward.
Also, we have to note that this is a revenge game for Rico Dowdle on Sunday, so he'll be making sure to deliver. Fantasy football managers who have Dowdle should make sure he's in their starting lineup.
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