The Dallas Cowboys came away with a 20-17 road win over the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday night. While the Cowboys offense was able to move the ball down the field, their mistakes in the red zone cost the team chances to score. They turned the ball over twice, with QB Dak Prescott losing a fumble and throwing an interception.

With Dallas trailing 10-6 late in the third quarter, they were able to get efficient running from running back Rico Dowdle to move the ball down the field on an important drive. Like last week against the Giants, Dowdle was the Cowboys’ first touchdown scorer, catching a 22-yard touchdown pass from Prescott in the fourth quarter. Dowdle had his best game of the season, rushing for 87 yards on 20 carries. He also contributed 27 yards on two receptions and this touchdown.

The Cowboys desperately needed some juice from their running back room this season, as the team ranks near the bottom of the league in rushing yards and yards per carry.

While Dowdle has been the starting running back for the past few weeks, his efficient performance against the Steelers should mark him out as the team’s feature back. Head coach Mike McCarthy stated this offseason that the team would take a by-committee approach this year. However, it is becoming increasingly clear that Dowdle is the most efficient rusher on the team. Veteran Ezekiel Elliott is averaging less than four yards per carry this season, and Deuce Vaughn doesn’t have the size to be a star at the pro level.

The Cowboys should increase Dowdle’s coverage as the season progresses, as he is clearly their most explosive weapon out of the backfield. His impact as a rusher and receiver has been important to the team’s success over the past two weeks.