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Rico Dowdle Fires Up Panthers With Bold Message Before Cowboys Matchup

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The Dallas Cowboys are heading to Charlotte this Sunday, but they won’t just be dealing with a Carolina Panthers team finding its rhythm — they’ll also be facing a familiar face. Rico Dowdle, once a Cowboy and now the Panthers’ lead running back, is fresh off his career-best performance: 206 yards and a touchdown in a statement win over the Miami Dolphins. And this week, he’s running with fire — and a little extra motivation — as he faces his former team.

This marks Dowdle’s first matchup against the Cowboys since leaving Dallas, and he’s not hiding his emotions. Ahead of Sunday’s game, Dowdle made it clear:

“They gotta buckle up. Stand on that. Buckle the chin straps up tight, and I will be coming.”

It’s not just talk — his physical running style backs it up. His former college coach, Will Muschamp, described it best:

“He doesn’t give you anything soft to hit. All you’re gonna see is a facemask, shoulder pads and knee pads. He’s a bowling ball of butcher knives coming at ya.”

Through five games, Dowdle has logged 289 rushing yards and two touchdowns — solid numbers for a back adjusting to a new system. But it’s the emotion and extra edge that make him particularly dangerous this week.

On the other side, the Cowboys have their own powerhouse in Javonte Williams. With 447 rushing yards and five touchdowns, both career-highs, Williams has quickly become a key piece in Dallas’s offensive identity.

The real question: which ground game takes over on Sunday?
Dowdle will look to make the Cowboys regret letting him go, while Williams aims to keep Dallas’s offense rolling. It’s more than just stats — it’s a tone-setter. The kind of game that tests who can deliver hits and keep moving forward.

Kickoff is set for 1:00 p.m. ET at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte.
Expect plenty of pads popping and emotions running high — this one’s personal.


What do you think — will Rico Dowdle make the Cowboys regret letting him walk?
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REPORT: Chiefs Kicker Harrison Butker Snaps at Rookie for Complaining About Heavy Camp Workload Before Lions Showdown
“We Don’t Complain, We Lock Down”: Harrison Butker’s Shocking Message to Chiefs Rookies By Arrowhead Blitz | Octorber 9, 2025 Kansas City, MO —You don’t usually expect a kicker to shake the locker room with a fiery speech — but Harrison Butker isn’t your average kicker. Known for his clutch leg and calm demeanor, Butker stunned fans and teammates alike this week when a behind-the-scenes clip surfaced from Chiefs training camp, showing him laying down a brutally honest message to young players trying to adjust to the NFL grind. His words? Anything but polite. “You think this is college conditioning?Welcome to the f*cking NFL.You’re in Kansas City now – we don’t complain, we lock down.If you’re tired, get stronger.If not, get out the damn way.” Let’s just say… the room got real quiet, real fast. A Kicker with Command While many associate kickers with calm nerves and silence, Butker continues to defy expectations. A two-time Super Bowl champion with ice in his veins, he’s clearly done being just “the kicker.” He’s stepping into a leadership role — and rookies are taking notice. “He’s got rings. He’s got respect. And now he’s got the voice,” one Chiefs veteran reportedly said after practice. Fans on social media ran wild with the quote. “Butker just went full linebacker mode. Didn’t see that coming.”“If your kicker talks like this, your whole squad is dangerous.” The Chiefs Mentality: Championship or Nothing The Kansas City Chiefs have built a dynasty on more than just talent — it’s culture. It’s accountability. And if a kicker is demanding toughness in July, imagine what Patrick Mahomes and Chris Jones are doing behind closed doors. Butker’s message wasn’t just about running drills — it was about setting a standard. Bottom Line In Kansas City, everyone is expected to bring the heat — even the kicker. So if you’re walking into Chiefs camp thinking this is a warm-up for the big leagues, Harrison Butker has five words for you: “Get stronger… or get out.”