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 b

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