RADIO
BALLER MOVE: Consider In 14+ Team Leagues
POSITIONAL VALUE: RB3
ANALYSIS: We've seen this story before. Cowboys fans are up in arms about the backup running back being better than the starter. Tony Pollard usurped Ezekiel Elliott last season. Now that Elliott has moved on, Rico Dowdle is the belle of the ball. Pollard hasn't scored since Week 1 and is averaging under four yards per carry. Dowdle's at 4.5 YPC and is coming off the best game of his career (79 yards and a rushing touchdown).
Pollard is still the workhorse back on this team. Coach Mike McCarthy noted this week that he'd like to get Dowdle more touches, but the matchup against Carolina allows for Dallas to make a concerted effort to get Pollard going. The Panthers have one of the worst run defenses in the league and are at the bottom of the standings. The Cowboys are 10.5-point road favorites. If ever there was a golden opportunity to establish the running game, this is it.
That could also mean increased opportunities for Dowdle, whether it's due to a lopsided score or because Pollard needs a breather. Expecting another 12-touch game as he received last week seems a little on the high end. Somewhere between 7-10 carries is probably the sweet spot.
Note: The Cowboys downgraded Dowdle to questionable on Saturday with an ankle injury, despite a week of full practices. Check back on his status before kickoff on Sunday morning.
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