The Dallas Cowboys' 27-21 loss to the Atlanta Falcons was poor for many reasons, namely the offensive penalties that hamstrung Dak Prescott and Co., but one big positive was the run game.
Yes, you read that right.
With the Cowboys having the worst run game in football, Rico Dowdle led the way with 75 rushing yards from 12 carries (6.2 yards a clip) while also being an option in the passing game, catching five passes for 32 yards and a touchdown.
The Falcons, in every game prior to facing Dallas, allowed over 100 rushing yards, and that continued with the Cowboys having 137 yards on the ground, their highest rushing total (137) since Week 14 of last season against the Philadelphia Eagles (138)
For Rico, what the team saw on tape proved to be right.
“Coming in, we thought we would be able to run the ball on them based off the looks and stuff like that,” Dowdle said. “It definitely worked out. So definitely was a lot of holes, those guys did a great job creating space up there.”
Of course, in true Dallas fashion, a biggest weakness gets fixed, and other issues, like the offensive penalties and Prescott and CeeDee Lamb's injuries, overshadow what Dowdle did on the ground.
It is clear that Rico has to be the lead back, and despite Mike McCarthy stating that Ezekiel Elliott is available this week against the Philadelphia Eagles after being inactive against the Falcons due to disciplinary reasons, it still should be Dowdle's show.
Was the Falcons game a turning point? Or did Dallas simply take advantage of a defense that consistently gives up yards on the ground?
Fans hope it is a turning point, but right now, the run game success has gotten lost in the wash, given what else the franchise is currently dealing with.
