Panthers Running Back Erupts Again in Revenge Game

For the second week in a row, Rico Dowdle has eclipsed 200 yards from scrimmage. This game was personal for Dowdle, as the Cowboys decided not to bring him back last year. Dowdle is on fire in two games, raising an interesting question about the Panthers' future. Chuba Hubbard is coming off his best season to date, and rookie Jonathon Brooks is still recovering in the background. Who will be the feature back of the future? I don’t know, but what I do know is Rico Dowdle.

The Panthers rise to 3-3 in a narrow victory over the Cowboys. The Cowboys lead the league in total offense per game, but the Panthers' defense shut down the run. Holding the Cowboys to under 32 rushing yards as a team, keeping Javonte Williams in check with only 29 rushing yards. Led by Derrick Brown, the Panthers' defense continues to be stout. Unfortunately, George Pickens could not be stopped today. Pickens dominated today with nine receptions for 168 yards and a touchdown—a necessary evil for shutting down the run. The Cowboys are a team based around the run, and with the run game taken away, the rest of the offense struggled, despite Pickens. 

Today was a shootout, and Bryce Young rose to the occasion. Young threw for 199 yards and three touchdowns with one interception. The Cowboys may have the worst defense in the league, but in back-to-back games, Young has been great—a true confidence builder for the young quarterback. Tetairoa McMillian finally scored his first NFL touchdown. To add to it, he had another one to boot. Jimmy Horn also had another big day. Horn seems to be working his way into a bigger role in the receiving room. Next week should bring the return of Jalen Coker, which will add more firepower to the receiving room, but the wide receiver two position will be hotly contested. 

The Panthers are finally building some momentum. The offense is clicking, and the defense is the best it's been in the past three years. Exciting times are ahead for the Panthers. The Panthers don’t have their bye week until Week 14, so I expect some more injuries to pop up. Next week, the Panthers take on the winless Jets in New York. The Panthers should walk away with their third straight win. My only concern is MetLife Stadium, which is notorious for killing ACLs.