Rico Dowdle, center right, has powered a Panthers offensive surge out of nowhere. Scott Kinser / Imagn Images
(Editor’s note: This is excerpted from Mike Sando’s Pick Six of Oct. 13, 2025.)
3. Only the 0-6 Jets stand between the Carolina Panthers and a most unexpected three-game run.
Three weeks ago, the Panthers looked hopeless during a 42-13 defeat at New England.
They have gained 828 yards in two games since then, including 455 on the ground, while pounding out victories over Miami (27-24) and Dallas (30-27). The Dolphins and Cowboys are struggling on defense. That is one huge variable in Carolina’s over-the-top production.
But after ex-Cowboy Rico Dowdle carried 30 times for 183 yards against Dallas in Week 6, I wondered how long it had been since the Panthers finished a game with at least 400 total yards, 200 rushing yards and 25 first downs. Turns out, it happened just last week, against Miami.
It’s the only time Carolina has hit those benchmarks in back-to-back games since entering the NFL as an expansion team in 1995, per Pro Football Reference.
The 1983 Pittsburgh Steelers are the only team to hit those marks in three consecutive games. The Panthers can join them if they can do it against the Jets. Buffalo had 403 total yards, 224 rushing yards and 25 first downs against the Jets in Week 2.
The rushing production for Carolina is notable because some in the league questioned whether the Panthers could flourish on the ground. They noted that while coach Dave Canales was successful in his one-year stint as Tampa Bay’s offensive coordinator in 2023, the Buccaneers ranked last in rushing yards, yards per carry and rushing success rate that season. Tampa Bay then jumped to top-10 rankings in all three last season, after Canales departed to become the Panthers’ coach.
Carolina leads the league in rushing yards this season while ranking among the top five in yards per carry and success rate. Dowdle, who led the Cowboys with 1,079 yards last season, is a major reason why.
Dowdle, signed in free agency, is averaging 5.8 yards per carry. That includes 3.9 yards per carry after contract. Both averages lead the NFL’s 24 running backs with at least 50 carries this season.
Oct 13, 2025
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