The Carolina Panthers defeated the New York Jets for their third straight win on Sunday, and in the process, we saw the Panthers unveil their new backfield strategy.

Carolina split carries between the red-hot Rico Dowdle and Chuba Hubbard, the latter of whom just returned from a calf injury after missing two weeks. Dowdle and Hubbard logged 17 and 14 rushing attempts, respectively, a stark change from a Panthers backfield that had clearly featured Hubbard as the No. 1 guy earlier in the season.

Head coach Dave Canales spoke on the switch after the game, and he seemed very satisfied with the results.

"It just came out like we thought. We just switched some series and let those guys go out there and play some football for us," Canales said, via Kassidy Hill of the Panthers' team website. "So I just thought it was a good day, both guys running physically, running aggressive, and it ended up paying off for us."

Dowdle registered 76 yards, averaging 4.6 yards per carry. Hubbard actually struggled, finishing with 31 yards on 2.2 yards per tote, but at least both halfbacks were able to stay fresh.

Hubbard racked up 1,195 yards and 10 touchdowns while posting 4.8 yards per attempt last year, so this new role certainly has to feel a bit different for him. In five games this season, the former fourth-round pick has totaled 248 yards on 3.7 yards per carry.

Carolina signed Dowdle to a one-year deal in free agency, a move that seemed rather odd at first given that he rushed for over 1,000 yards with the Dallas Cowboys last season. Was he really just going to be a No. 2 back behind Hubbard?

Not only that, but the Panthers then doubled down on the running back position by nabbing Trevor Etienne on Day 3 of the NFL Draft.

Dowdle labored over his first few games in Carolina before breaking out with a 206-yard performance in a win over the Miami Dolphins in Week 5. He followed that up by puncturing his old Cowboys squad for 183 yards in Week 6.

Whether or not Canales continues splitting carries between Dowdle and Hubbard next week against the Buffalo Bills remains to be seen considering how much more effective Dowdle was in the win versus the Jets.