“Dallas” (2-2-1) — “Carolina” (2-3)
Sunday, 1 p.m. EDT, FOX
BetMGM NFL Odds: Cowboys at 3.
Series record: The Cowboys lead the series 12-5.
Against the spread: Cowboys 3-2; Panthers 3-2.
Last week: The Cowboys beat the Jets 37-22; The Panthers beat the Dolphins 27-24.
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Last meeting: The Cowboys beat the Panthers 30-14 on December 15, 2024 in Charlotte, North Carolina.
Cowboys offense: total (1), rushing (8), passing (3), scoring (4).
Cowboys defense: total (32), rushing (23), passing (32), scoring (29).
Panther offense: total (12), rushing (14), passing (10), scoring (19).
Panther defense: overall (32), rushing (23), passing (32), scoring (29).
Turnover differential: Cowboys minus-3; Panthers minus-3.
Cowboys player to watch
RB Javonte Williams. An argument could be made that the Cowboys chose Williams over Rico Dowdle in the offseason after Dowdle became the first undrafted Dallas quarterback to rush for 1,000 yards in 2024. Dowdle is now coming off the third 200-yard game in Carolina franchise history with 206 yards against Miami. Williams, who rushed for a career-high 135 yards against the Jets, has scored five touchdowns in five games. That matches the most rushing touchdowns a Dallas running back had all of last season (Dowdle had two). First-year coach Brian Schottenheimer is excited to have Williams. He's looking forward to working with Dowdle after serving as his offensive coordinator (but not calling games) the last two years.
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Panthers player to watch
QB Bryce Young. You never seem to know which Young will show up—even in the game. Last week, Young turned the ball over on Carolina's first two possessions, leading to two Miami touchdowns and a 17-0 deficit. Young, with some timely throws and some great plays in the running game, then helped Carolina to the victory, making the biggest comeback in franchise history. He threw for 198 yards and two touchdowns. The Panthers now look to win back-to-back games for only the second time under their third-year quarterback.
Key matches
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Cowboys TE Jake Ferguson vs. Panthers linebackers. The Panthers defended poorly in tight spots. Miami's Darren Waller was targeted five times last week, had five catches for 78 yards and a touchdown, and was open several times but didn't get the ball. Ferguson faces another tough test. His 41 catches equal the most in five games in the Super Bowl era, and he had his first two-touchdown game last week against the New York Jets.
Dowdle against the Cowboys defense. Dowdle will be facing a Dallas defense that is allowing 127.4 yards per game on the ground, and he should be highly motivated to face a team that decided not to re-sign him as an undrafted free agent. Dallas targeted running back — and DT Kenny Clark — in the deal that sent Micah Parsons to Green Bay. The Cowboys have held their second and third opponents to under 90 yards each, but have struggled the last two weeks, allowing an average of 154 yards. It is unclear whether Chuba Hubbard (calf) will return this week. Either way, Dowdle is expected to see plenty of playing time.
Key injuries
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Cowboys: LT Tyler Guyton (concussion) and LG Tyler Smith (knee) returned to practice after missing one game. … WR CeeDee Lamb and rookie RT Tyler Booker, who are nursing a high ankle sprain, began the practice week working on the sidelines as they did last week. They both missed two games. … WR/KR KaVontae Turpin said he expects to miss Game 2 with a foot injury but plans to return next week. … L.B. Jack Sanborn (concussion) and S Donovan Wilson (elbow/knee) did not participate in the first practice of the week.
Panthers: Other than Hubbard, who did not practice Wednesday, the Panthers appear to be on the mend. TE Ja'Tavion Sanders returned to practice this week after missing the last two games with an ankle injury and is available to play. … Additionally, the Panthers opened a 21-day practice window for WR Jalen Coker, although he may still be a week away from playing.
Episode notes
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The Cowboys owned the Panthers in the regular season for years, winning 12 of 15 games, including the last two. They also played well at Bank of America Stadium, going 7-1 on the road against Carolina. However, the postseason was a different story. The Panthers are 2-0 against Dallas and have victories in the 1996 and 2003 seasons.
Statistics and more
Cowboys QB Dak Prescott needs 150 passing yards to pass Pro Football Hall of Famer and three-time Super Bowl winner Troy Aikman for second place on the franchise's career list. Aikman has 32,942 yards. Barring injury, Prescott will pass franchise leader Tony Romo this season. … Williams entered Week 6 third in the NFL with 447 yards. … George Pickens is the first Dallas receiver to score five touchdowns in his first five games with the franchise. Pickens has a career-best four-game touchdown streak. … L.B. Shemar James had 15 tackles against the Jets, the most by a rookie this season and the most by a Dallas rookie since 2000. … CB Trevon Diggs had two interceptions in his lone 2021 meeting with the Panthers, when he led the NFL with 11 catches. … The Panthers are 2-0 at home this season. … Rookie WR Tetairoa McMillan again led the team in receptions with 73 yards last week and had two explosive plays, including a 21-yard catch on fourth-and-5. … Rookie WR Jimmy Horn Jr. made his NFL debut last week and caught two passes for 21 yards, including a 17-yard reception on fourth down with 3:31 left in the game for the game-winning touchdown. … TE Mitchell Evans has caught a pass in each of Carolina's last two games, including the go-ahead catch last Sunday. … The Panthers gave up three turnovers last week against Miami, more than they had in their previous four games combined.
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Fantasy advice
McMillan developed a reputation for getting into the end zone during his time at the University of Arizona. But the Panthers' rookie wide receiver has yet to find a win in Carolina through five games, despite being Young's favorite target. That could happen this week as the Cowboys rank 32nd in the league in pass defense.
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Associated Press
