CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Dallas Cowboys fans are probably sticking their chests out with great pride this weekend. Their favorite team remains the most valuable sports franchise in the world, according to Forbes, at $10.1 billion. Kidding on the great pride part. It’s fair to say most Cowboys fans couldn’t care less about the value of the franchise, especially when it’s not leading to any notable postseason success in 29 years.
“At the end of the day, that’s a nice deal, but the more important thing is we want to win a championship,” Cowboys executive vice president Stephen Jones said Friday on 94.1 San Antonio’s Sports Star when asked about the latest Forbes valuation. “Certainly with the season we’re going through has been difficult. We have higher expectations than what we’ve done this year. It’s nice that our overall franchise has done well. In general that means a lot, obviously we got a sound, solid franchise, but winning football games is the most important thing.
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“Ultimately, as you all might imagine, whether it’s Jerry (Jones), whether it’s our family or anybody else, we’re trying to win a championship.”
The Jones family has no interest in selling, but if they did, it’s very likely that they would get more than $10.1 billion. The Washington Commanders sold last year for $6 billion. The Denver Broncos sold in 2022 for $4.6 billion. The Carolina Panthers, who the Cowboys face today, sold in 2018 for $2.3 billion.
Dowdle shining bright
In what will likely go down as the most pleasant surprise on offense for the Cowboys in 2024, Rico Dowdle’s emergence in recent weeks has been impressive on many levels.
The Cowboys entered the season with a firm public commitment to the running back by committee approach. Dalvin Cook was signed just before the season-opener. Ezekiel Elliott got the first carry of the season. The Cowboys maintained a stubborn commitment to the committee approach through the early parts of the season, even after it became painfully obvious to anybody watching that Elliott had nothing left in the tank and Cook’s call-up didn’t provide the jolt the team hoped.
Even in his limited opportunities, Dowdle kept flashing. The Cowboys finally turned him loose against the Washington Commanders, and he finished with 86 yards on 19 carries. Not gaudy numbers, but it was irrefutable that Dowdle was on the cusp of a breakthrough.
Dowdle broke the Cowboys’ streak of not having a 100-yard rusher, which dated back to Week 3 of last season, against the New York Giants on Thanksgiving. Last week, he was even better against the Bengals.
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“I think the tape, it speaks for itself,” Dowdle said this week when asked if he’s able to perform better when allowed to get in a rhythm. “The eye in the sky don’t lie. I think it’s been able to show, getting those repeated carries, those repeated run calls. I think it’s definitely showing on the field. That rhythm, being able to figure out what the defense is doing and figure out where you can hit them at on the next play. It’s definitely shown.”
Dowdle said one thing that’s helped him is that he’s significantly altered his diet. He’s completely cut out pork. Red meat is a rare treat, only on occasion. There’s a heavy dose of chicken and turkey now in his diet.
“It’s something that I always been wanting to do,” Dowdle said. “Once I did it and got past that first month or so, I didn’t really think about going back to it.”
Dowdle said his body fat percentage has been cut down a lot. It’s helped him feel a lot fresher, a lot healthier and helps him recover faster from ailments, too.
What also makes Dowdle’s emergence so impressive, especially the timing of it, is that it’s come as the offensive line has been in flux. The unit struggled through the early part of the season in its performance but now, there’s been a lot of personnel change. Zack Martin is out for the season. Tyler Guyton was struggling and, last week, was replaced by Chuma Edoga. Cooper Beebe went out mid-game last week and was replaced by Brock Hoffman.
On Sunday, Dowdle faces a Panthers team that’s ranked dead last in rush defense. Another step forward could be on the horizon.
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— Dallas Cowboys (@dallascowboys) December 15, 2024
Predictions
Joe Person, Panthers beat writer: The Panthers are in an unfamiliar position — favored in a game for the first time in two years, when oddsmakers had them as 2.5-point favorites over the Pittsburgh Steelers. The Panthers lost that day — also in Week 15 — 24-16. Sam Darnold had a 108.1 passer rating but was sacked four times. Which brings us to today. Bryce Young has been much improved in recent weeks when pressured. If he can avoid any Micah Parsons-caused catastrophic plays, the Panthers just might be able to squeak out a close win after three close losses in a row. Panthers 27-24
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Jon Machota, Cowboys beat writer: It takes a lot to make the Carolina Panthers a betting favorite. The Cowboys have accomplished that today as they enter the game without starters Dak Prescott, Zack Martin, DeMarcus Lawrence, DeMarvion Overshown, Trevon Diggs and Cooper Beebe. Panthers QB Bryce Young has been looking more and more like the player who was drafted first overall last year. His play could be enough to get the job done for the home team. But I’m changing my pick from what I had on our “One Star Cowboys Podcast” this week. I think Dowdle will be the difference against the NFL’s worst run defense. Cowboys 23, Panthers 20
Saad Yousuf, Cowboys beat writer: It was unimaginable before the season began that this would be the game where the Panthers would be favored for the first time in two years, but that is where we’re at. Bryce Young has been playing better, the Panthers have been hanging tight with good competition and the Cowboys are decimated with injuries. After one week of getting Trevon Diggs, DaRon Bland and Jourdan Lewis on the field together, the secondary will be incomplete again, with Diggs being out. Still, I think Dowdle will do enough to carry the Cowboys’ offense. Cowboys 24, Panthers 17
(Top photo of Rico Dowdle: Sam Hodde / Getty Images)
