Carolina Panthers RB Rico Dowdle's bank account is happy.
The Carolina Panthers suffered a big loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Saturday, but RB Rico Dowdle earned a strong personal win in the loss.
Dowdle needed seven yards to reach 1,350 scrimmage yards of the season, which triggered a $1 million bonus.
Dowdle finished the game with only 10 rushing yards and 20 receiving yards. In his first season with the Panthers, the 27-year-old racked up 1,076 rushing yards, 297 receiving yards and seven total touchdowns.
Dowdle joined the Panthers in the offseason after spending the first four years of his career with the Dallas Cowboys. The South Carolina product had a terrific first season in Carolina. Now, the veteran needs some help to make the playoffs for the first time since 2023.
The Panthers need the Atlanta Falcons to defeat the New Orleans Saints to force a three-way tie with them and the Buccaneers at 8-9. That would give the NFC South title to Carolina.
Meanwhile, the Buccaneers need the Saints to get a win or tie to claim their fifth straight NFC South title.
"Winning the South has been a goal of ours since day one," Panthers QB Bryce Young said. "You're not going to have any lack of motivation there, but obviously it's out of our hands now."
Added Carolina head coach Dave Canales: "I think we're all going to be on the edge of our seats watching that game. At least we have that hope to look at."
It will be fascinating to see who wins between the Falcons and Saints. The Panthers are looking to make the playoffs for the first time since 2017.