Buckle up, Cowboys faithful! As Dallas embarks on yet another road trip to face the Panthers this Sunday, the stakes are high for extending a remarkable winning streak—but can they keep the momentum rolling against a familiar foe?
It's a rare occurrence in the NFL for a team to travel out of their division to play the same opponent three years in a row, yet that's exactly the scenario unfolding for the Cowboys. Following their impressive 37-22 triumph over the New York Jets last Sunday, they'll head to Carolina for their second consecutive away game. The silver lining? History has smiled on Dallas in this matchup, with commanding victories in Charlotte last year (33-10) and the year before (30-14). So, what will it take for the Cowboys to secure a third straight win over the Panthers? Let's break it down in this edition of Here We Goooo, exploring the key elements that could make or break their day.
First up, there's a golden opportunity for the dynamic duo of Dak Prescott and Jake Ferguson to reignite their chemistry. Through the first five games of the season, Ferguson stands out as the NFL's top tight end in receptions, hauling in 41 catches— that's a full 12 more than the next closest competitor. Despite this, the pair has been off their game on one of their signature plays: the deep seam throw that propelled Ferguson to a Pro Bowl selection in 2023. A few errant passes that sailed over his head and some tough hits on Ferguson have dimmed this aspect of the offense, but Dallas is eager to reclaim it.
But here's where it gets intriguing—the Panthers' defense presents a prime chance to rebuild that connection or at least boost confidence. Carolina has surrendered the most yards to tight ends league-wide this season, totaling 401, along with three touchdowns. With the Cowboys likely missing both CeeDee Lamb and KaVontae Turpin again on Sunday, there's no reason to anticipate a reduction in Ferguson's targets. In fact, it could lead to more opportunities for him to stretch the field and drive the offense forward.
Last week against the Jets, Dallas' offense utilized formations that heavily featured Ferguson. They lined up in 11 personnel—a setup with one running back and one tight end—for a season-low 45.8% of their snaps, and 12 personnel (one running back, two tight ends) for 20.3% of plays. For beginners, these formations emphasize passing and short-yardage situations, putting Ferguson, as the primary tight end, in a position to shine. If the Cowboys stick to this approach against the Panthers, it bodes well for him.
In their previous two encounters over the past couple of years, Ferguson managed just five receptions for 55 yards against Carolina. However, that was with a fuller roster of receivers like CeeDee Lamb, Brandin Cooks, and Michael Gallup sharing the workload. With a more limited group of pass-catchers this time around, Ferguson might finally have the spotlight for a breakout performance. And this is the part most people miss—could this be the game where Ferguson steps up as the go-to guy, or will the Cowboys' offense feel the absence of their star wideouts more than expected? It's a point worth debating.
Shifting to defense, the Cowboys have a real shot at establishing some consistency in their pass rush. After equaling their season sack total of five in the first four games with another five against the Jets last week, they'll square off against a Panthers offensive line that's been vulnerable, especially on the edges. Over the last two seasons, Dallas racked up a combined 13 sacks on quarterback Bryce Young, even with star pass-rusher Micah Parsons in the fold. Now, with a revamped defensive front, the Panthers' struggles persist.
Left tackle Ikem Ekwonu and right tackle Taylor Moton have combined for 43 quarterback pressures and three sacks allowed on Young this year, ranking them among the league's top offenders in that category. Moton has sat out the last two practices due to an elbow injury, and if he can't play, backup Yosh Nijman steps in. In just 40 pass-blocking snaps, Nijman has permitted eight pressures, a staggering 20% rate. The entire Carolina offensive line has given up the sixth-most pressures (89) and the eighth-fastest time to pressure (2.86 seconds), making them ripe for exploitation.
Dallas' defense has been inconsistent early in the season, but this matchup offers a chance to turn things around, particularly in the pass rush. Everyone contributed last week, but James Houston leads with three and a half sacks. When pressured, Young has thrown for 315 yards on 49.1% completions, with four touchdowns and two interceptions—better than his past seasons, yet still leaving room for Dallas to capitalize on mistakes. But here's where it gets controversial: Is the Cowboys' pass rush truly ready to dominate without Parsons, or could Young's improved poise under fire make this a tougher challenge than history suggests? Fans might argue either way.
Finally, it's time to fasten those seat belts for the Panthers' offense, as former Cowboys running back Rico Dowdle warned his old team to prepare for a wild ride. With Chuba Hubbard sidelined by a calf injury for the second straight week, Dowdle is poised to lead the backfield after a career-best 206 rushing yards against the Dolphins last week.
Cowboys coach Brian Schottenheimer quipped that they'd be buckling up, and they'll need to, given their recent struggles against the run. In the first three weeks, Dallas allowed 329 rushing yards and four touchdowns, which was middling in the league. But in the last two games, they've surrendered 308 yards and two scores to the Packers and Jets, ranking third-worst in that span. This marks Dowdle's first extended action as Carolina's primary back, facing a different scheme than he practiced against last season.
Still, he knows the Cowboys' defensive tendencies from his four years in Dallas, and the inverse holds true—plenty of players and coaches are well-versed in his style. They'll have to stay vigilant against a motivated Dowdle seeking redemption. And this is the part most people overlook: Could Dowdle's familiarity with the Cowboys give him an edge for revenge, or will Dallas' experience with him allow them to shut him down effectively? It's a classic matchup of knowledge versus motivation.
As the Cowboys aim for a third consecutive win in Carolina, these three keys—the Dak-Ferguson reconnection, pass rush consistency, and run defense readiness—could define the outcome. But let's stir the pot a bit: Some might say the Panthers are due for an upset, given the Cowboys' early-season hiccups, while others believe Dallas' road prowess will prevail. What do you think—will the Cowboys extend their streak, or is this the year the Panthers flip the script? Do you agree that Ferguson is poised for a big game without Lamb, or should the offense diversify more? Share your hot takes and predictions in the comments below; we'd love to hear your thoughts!
