If the New Orleans Saints are going to pull off an upset win against the Carolina Panthers this week, their chances will probably start with how they defend running back Rico Dowdle.
Dowdle, who signed a one-year, $2.75 million deal with Carolina this offseason and opened the season as the backup running back, has emerged as one of the league's better stories in 2025.
During the last five games, Dowdle has rushed for 652 yards and three touchdowns while averaging 6.3 yards per carry. The Panthers have gone as he has, going 4-1 in those contests.
"He's playing as well as anybody in the league right now at the running back position," said Saints defensive coordinator Brandon Staley. "... The physicality, the decisiveness, I think he's a great fit to how they want to run the ball. He's bringing a lot of personality on the contact — breaking a lot of tackles, running through a lot of quality players. He's definitely given them a style of play."
The 5-foot-11, 215-pound Dowdle currently ranks No. 4 in the NFL in rushing despite coming off the bench in the first four games. He seems particularly well-suited to this Panthers offense, which has poured resources into offensive linemen who excel as run blockers.
Dowdle is averaging 3.1 yards per carry before contact — only Detroit's Jahmyr Gibbs and Baltimore's Derrick Henry are averaging more this season.
"The play calling, the offensive line, blocking downfield by the receivers, they've got a stable of tight ends that are doing a great job — so I think it's a team effort, but he's doing an incredible job," said Saints linebacker Demario Davis.