The assertion that Chuba Hubbard and Rico Dowdle form the “most deadly backfield duo in the league” for the Carolina Panthers is an intriguing one, especially given their individual breakout seasons in 2024. While they certainly emerged as a surprisingly productive tandem, claiming the top spot among all NFL backfields would be a considerable stretch when looking at the league’s most established and explosive duos.
Let’s break down why Hubbard and Dowdle are a very good, complementary duo, but perhaps not the “deadliest,” and then compare them to some of the true elite backfields in the NFL.
Both Chuba Hubbard and Rico Dowdle had career-best seasons in 2024, exceeding many expectations.
- Chuba Hubbard (Panthers): In 15 games, Hubbard rushed for a career-high 1,195 yards on 250 carries (4.8 YPC) and an impressive 10 touchdowns. He also contributed 43 receptions for 171 yards and a touchdown, showcasing his versatility. He was the Panthers’ primary back for most of the season, demonstrating good vision, burst, and surprisingly effective power.
- Rico Dowdle (Cowboys, then Panthers): Dowdle, who signed with the Panthers this offseason after five years with the Dallas Cowboys, also had a breakout 2024 campaign. While with the Cowboys, he rushed for 1,079 yards on 235 carries (4.6 YPC) and 2 touchdowns. Notably, he excelled in the receiving game, catching 39 passes for 249 yards and 3 touchdowns. His performance was particularly impactful in the latter half of the season when he took on a more featured role.
Together, their combined rushing yards in 2024 totaled an impressive 2,274 yards. This is a significant number and a testament to their individual production. The fact that both surpassed 1,000 rushing yards in the same season, a rare feat in NFL history (only accomplished seven times previously), speaks volumes about their capability. The Panthers themselves last achieved this in 2009 with Jonathan Stewart and DeAngelo Williams.
One of the arguments for Hubbard and Dowdle’s effectiveness is their complementary skill sets, which new Panthers Head Coach Dave Canales is expected to leverage.
- Chuba Hubbard: Often viewed as the quicker, more agile back, Hubbard excels in outside zone schemes, getting to the edge, and making cuts in space. He has good top-end speed and can break off chunk plays. His receiving ability is also solid, making him a three-down threat.
- Rico Dowdle: Dowdle, at 6’0″ and 215 lbs, is generally seen as the more physical, downhill runner, capable of grinding out tough yards between the tackles and excelling in short-yardage situations. He brings a powerful presence and can wear down defenses. His pass-catching ability, particularly highlighted by his 3 receiving touchdowns in 2024, adds another dimension.
This “thunder and lightning” or “inside-outside” dynamic is often sought after in modern NFL backfields, as it allows offenses to remain unpredictable and adapt to different defensive alignments.
While Hubbard and Dowdle’s 2024 statistics are impressive and their complementary styles are clear, ranking them as the most deadly backfield duo in the entire NFL is an ambitious claim. Several other backfields across the league possess a higher ceiling, more consistent elite production, or a more direct impact on their team’s overall offensive success.
Here’s a look at some of the duos widely considered to be among the league’s best, often rated higher than Hubbard and Dowdle:
- Baltimore Ravens (Derrick Henry & Lamar Jackson): This is arguably the most dominant rushing duo in the NFL, though one is a running back and the other a quarterback. In 2024, Derrick Henry rushed for 1,921 yards and an NFL-high 16 touchdowns in his first year with the Ravens. Lamar Jackson, already considered one of the greatest rushing QBs of all time, added 915 rushing yards and 4 touchdowns. Their combined threat on read-options and designed runs makes them nearly impossible to defend. The Ravens have led the NFL in rushing for two consecutive seasons.
- Detroit Lions (Jahmyr Gibbs & David Montgomery): This tandem is frequently cited as the best traditional RB duo. In 2024, they became the first duo in NFL history with 10+ rushing touchdowns in consecutive seasons. Gibbs finished third among qualified running backs with a 91.4 PFF rushing grade and second in yards per carry (5.7), while Montgomery was also highly efficient and powerful. Their combined 2,199 rushing yards and 28 touchdowns in 2024 are elite numbers.
- Philadelphia Eagles (Saquon Barkley & Jalen Hurts/Kenneth Gainwell): With Saquon Barkley joining the Eagles for 2025, their rushing attack becomes even more formidable. Barkley had an incredible 2024 season with the Giants (2,005 rushing yards, 13 TDs) and then played a crucial role in the Eagles’ Super Bowl LIX run (499 rushing yards, 5 TDs in the postseason). Paired with Jalen Hurts’ elite rushing ability (572 yards, 9 TDs in 2024) and the complementary skill set of Kenneth Gainwell, this is an incredibly dangerous ground game.
- Atlanta Falcons (Bijan Robinson & Tyler Allgeier): The Falcons boast a high-upside duo with two former 1,000-yard rushers. Bijan Robinson, in his second year, rushed for 1,456 yards and 14 touchdowns in 2024, establishing himself as one of the league’s top young backs. Tyler Allgeier, while seeing fewer carries, has proven he can be highly effective when given opportunities (1,035 yards in his rookie year and 664 yards/season from 2023-24).
- Pittsburgh Steelers (Najee Harris & Jaylen Warren): This duo consistently provides a tough, physical running game. Harris has achieved 1,000+ rushing yards in his first three seasons (a rare feat), and Warren is an explosive, tackle-breaking complement who can make plays in the passing game.
Fox Sports recently ranked the Panthers’ RB duo of Chuba Hubbard and Rico Dowdle as the 8th best in the NFL heading into 2025. This is a very respectable ranking and certainly puts them in the conversation for top-tier duos. Other rankings might place them slightly higher or lower, but generally not at the very top.
While they both had career years in 2024, it’s important to consider:
- Team Context: Both were on struggling offenses in 2024. While individual production is good, the overall team success of the Cowboys (before Dowdle’s departure) and Panthers was limited. The impact of a stronger offensive line and better quarterback play could elevate their numbers, but the inverse is also true: the lack of those things could limit them.
- Consistency over multiple seasons: While 2024 was a breakout for both, the “deadliest” duos often have a longer track record of elite production.
Chuba Hubbard and Rico Dowdle are a highly effective, complementary, and undeniably productive running back duo for the Carolina Panthers. Their individual 1,000-yard seasons in 2024 were a significant achievement, and their blend of speed, power, and receiving ability makes them a valuable asset to Dave Canales’ new offense.
However, to call them the “most deadly” backfield in the league would be an overstatement when compared to duos featuring perennial Pro Bowlers, league-leading rushers, or those combined with elite rushing quarterbacks. They are firmly in the tier of “very good to excellent” duos, a significant upgrade for the Panthers, and certainly capable of making life difficult for opposing defenses. But the likes of the Ravens, Lions, and Eagles still hold the edge as the most consistently explosive and impactful backfields in the NFL heading into the 2025 season.
