Dallas Cowboys’ Two-RB System? ‘Gotta Have it!’ Says Coach Mike McCarthy

The Dallas Cowboys’ running game has been more effective lately, and Mike McCarthy prefers to use a two-running back system because Rico Dowdle and Tony Pollard are putting in more work together.

The “Dine and Dash” tandem of Tony Pollard and Ezekiel Elliott from the previous season is still fresh in everyone’s minds, but the Dallas Cowboys took a different approach in 2023 when they let go of Zeke and went with Pollard.

Granted, Pollard’s first nine games as the starting running back didn’t exactly go well—he only managed two rushing touchdowns—but as of late, he’s been gaining steam.

Rico Dowdle, the other running back, has also noticed an increase in workload recently. In a crucial 33-13 victory over the Philadelphia Eagles, Dowdle amassed 46 yards and a touchdown on 12 rushes, while Pollard gained 59 yards on 16 rushes as the running game tore through the Eagles defense.

Given how demanding the season has been, Cowboys coach Mike McCarthy is now stating that the team needs to implement a two-back system moving forward.

“That’s a must-have,” stated McCarthy. With 17 games, the season is lengthy. It’s probably unrealistic to expect running backs to touch the ball twenty to twenty-five times a game.

“We consider ourselves extremely fortunate to have it with Tony and Rico as well as Zeke and Tony for the past three years. We have a running back room, which is very fortunate.”