The Dallas Cowboys run game has begun to pick up steam over the last fortnight, with Rico Dowdle starting to establish himself as a player defenses have to stop.
After an up-and-down start to the season, as the Cowboys’ running back by committee approach clearly didn’t work, and since the decision to make Rico the starter, it’s no coincidence that the run game has picked up.
In the last two weeks, Dowdle has totaled 86 and 112 yards from 19 and 22 attempts with the Cowboys run game now showing surprising signs of life. But why? Head coach Mike McCarthy has detailed the one reason.
“I think the biggest thing is we’ve been able to commit to it and get him touches,” McCarthy said on 105.3 The Fan. “But when the quarterback’s in a groove, he’s seeing it, his decisions and ball placement are where they need to be, and it’s no different for a running back.
The courses and the decision-making, he needs to continue to stay disciplined in that area, he has an outstanding run style, and it’s something we always loved about Rico.”
With Cooper Rush’s form also trending upward, it has allowed McCarthy, as the play-caller, to stick with the run more than he otherwise would have.