Week 15 Start or Sit: Panthers RB Rico Dowdle vs. Saints

Welcome to Week 15, where, down in New Orleans, one roster fights for a playoff spot, while the other fights for postseason first class tickets to Cancun.

Playing out the string, the 3-10 Saints welcome the NFC South-leading 7-6 Carolina Panthers — 7-6 Panthers is not a phrase you don't hear every day — to the Caesars Superdome for a clash that kicks off at 4:25 p.m. ET, and can be seen on FOX.

Facing a Saints D that ranks fifth in the league in yards allowed on the ground (another unexpected phrase), fantasy managers will consider the viability of Panthers RB Rico Dowdle.

Dowdle's PrizePicks projections might offer some ideas as to how you can deal with your RB start or sit conundrum. 

Week 15 RB Start 'Em, Sit 'Em: Panthers' Rico Dowdle vs. Saints?

Is the resurgent former Cowboy — one of the nicer comeback stories of the 2025 NFL season — a trustworthy option for your fantasy football roster that might be fighting for a playoff spot of its own?

Why Start Rico Dowdle?

Over the last two games, Dowdle has put up4.0 yards per carry, which falls short of his season-long mark of 4.8. During that same stretch, he's managed just 10.7 fantasy points. landing him at RB14 — and that's notable because between Weeks 5-9, he was fantasy's RB1.

Volume is perhaps the biggest piece of the puzzle, and the former South Carolina Gamecock has totaled at least 18 carries in four of the last five games. His 68.8% snap share since Week 9 crushes Panthers RB Chuba Hubbard’s 30.9%.

Dowdle has taken 50.9% of Carolina’s red zone rushing attempts versus Hubbard’s mark of 20.8%, via Pro Football Reference. According to Pro Football Focus, Dowdle delivered 3.43 yards after contact per carry. compared to Hubbard’s 2.46. 

Despite New Orleans' lofty ranking in the total yardage pantheon, the Panthers’ ground game could thrive, as the young Saints have allowed 130.9 rushing yards per game (23rd in the league) and 4.6 yards per carry over their previous three. Opposing running backs also average 19.5 fantasy points per contest against New Orleans, the 12th-most in the NFL.

PrizePicks projections have Dowdle in line for 13.5 carries, 61.5 rushing yards, and 13.5 receiving yards. Pick More or Less on player stats to win real money if you're right.

Start ‘Em, Sit ‘Em Verdict: Leaning with a Dowdle Start

Between Carolina’s two backs, Dowdle feels like the most trustworthy start. However, he had only a 42.2% snap share in Week 13 while Hubbard saw 59.4%.

Dowdle earned 20 touches, as compared to Hubbard’s 19,so if you’re in a tight pinch, rolling with Dowdle might be the way to go in a 12- or 14-team league. However, managers in eight- or ten-player leagues should probably consider sitting either Panthers RB.

Make NFL Picks on PrizePicks

With Dowdle’s usage up in the air, almost anything involving Carolina’s offensive backfield is a fantasy headache. Will Hubbard’s increased role keep up, or will the Panthers lean on Dowdle’s legs?

Utilizing our breakdown, feel free to pick projections for Dowdle at PrizePicks with the chance to win real money. Just pick your players, predict More or Less on their stats, and win cash if you're right.

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