Entering Week 9, Panthers HC Dave Canales indicated that RB Rico Dowdle would see an uptick in touches. Canales delivered on that sentiment, feeding Dowdle an 80% carry share on a 74% snap rate. The results? 25 carries, 130 yards, and 2 scores, giving him his third game with 28+ PPR points this season.
Here's Bryce Young on Dowdle, referencing one critical late-game run (via Carolina's official site):
"Rico being special like he always is, in a clutch moment like that... We all trust each other to execute, and you know... it was great execution."
This was quite a surprising result.
Not because Dowdle hadn't shown a high ceiling this year, but because Carolina played at Green Bay as huge road underdogs. The Packers also entered the week having allowed only two total TDs to enemy RBs. They were tenth in rush defense DVOA.
But Dowdle certainly didn't mind. His 130 yards ranked second-most on the week. He also sat top-8 in rush yards over expected per attempt (+1.8) and rush EPA (+1.6), per Next Gen Stats. Dowdle tallied 84 of his 130 yards after contact.
Meanwhile, Chuba Hubbard mixed in for only 5 carries (17%) for 17 yards. Hubbard didn't catch his only target, while he fell well behind Dowdle in route rate (17% to 50%).
Look for more of the same going forward. That'll put Dowdle in the RB2 mix for a home matchup with New Orleans. Hubbard is now a fringe hold in 10-team leagues.
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