Panthers at Cowboys: Preview and prediction

The Carolina Panthers and the Dallas Cowboys have a date on Thanksgiving Day at JerryWorld.

The 3-7 Dallas Cowboys figure to have much more of a shot to knock off the 10-0 Carolina Panthers than they did just two weeks ago as they host the undefeated Panthers on Thanksgiving day.

After losing quarterback Tony Romo to a broken collarbone in week two, the Cowboys proceeded to lose seven straight games while starting Matt Cassell and Brandon Weeden at quarterback. They righted the ship in Romo’s first week back with a 24-17 victory over the Miami Dolphins. With Romo, the Cowboys still have a shot at NFC East gold if they can win out.

However, Panthers quarterback Cam Newton has established himself as a bonafide MVP candidate. The Auburn product has thrown 11 touchdown passes and just two interceptions in his last four outings. Additionally, rookie wide receiver Devin Funchess has emerged as a much-needed receiving threat, amassing 179 receiving yards and two touchdowns in the past three games.

All eyes will be on the trenches in this turkey day scrap. Particularly, it will be interesting to see how Carolina’s front seven matches up with Dallas’ offensive line, who is often regarded as the NFL’s best unit. All-Pro linemen Zack Martin and Travis Frederick will have their hands full with the Carolina pass rush—a unit that has recorded the third-most sacks in the NFL this season (31). Carolina’s Kawann Short has terrorized opposing offensive lines, with sacks and 10 tackles for loss from his defensive tackle position.

The response of Cowboys defensive end Greg Hardy will also be noteworthy, as Hardy goes up against his former team for the first time. Hardy last played for the Panthers in 2014 before being suspended for the remainder of the 2014 campaign due to domestic violence allegations. Hardy has been productive with Dallas since his return from suspension, but has also remained in the headlines due to his on and off-field antics. The Panthers will also be welcoming back guard Andrew Norwell, who should help contain the former Panther Hardy.

Dallas will need to control the clock if it hopes to become the first team to beat the Panthers this season. Despite their inconsistency at the running back position, the Cowboys are the eighth-best rushing team in the NFL. They will need to keep things simple despite the urge to sling the ball with Romo and All-Pro receiver Dez Bryant back in the fold for another week.

If they are able to keep Carolina’s three-headed rushing attack off the field by running the football, they’ll help their defense and have a good shot at the upset. The Cowboys will have to manage a pick-your-poison situation with Newton, but stopping the run will force Carolina’s unproven receivers to make plays on a consistent basis.

Pick: Carolina 31, Dallas 21