Carolina Panthers vs. Dallas Cowboys: Panthers crumble in second half, fall to 1-9
It’s probably not a big surprise that the Dallas Cowboys came to Charlotte and beat the Carolina Panthers, 33-10, on Sunday afternoon at Bank of America Stadium. In the past few weeks, Dallas (7-3) has become one of the NFL’s hottest teams.
But you probably wouldn’t have expected the Panthers to help out so much.
Carolina fell to 1-9 and is now guaranteed a sixth straight losing season, and the Panthers played a home game Sunday where there appeared to be more Cowboys fans in the stands than Carolina fans.
“It’s very frustrating,” Panthers coach Frank Reich said. “When you work hard and you believe in the guys you’re doing it with, and I believe in our coaches and players, not getting the results you want is frustrating. I’m frustrated most for them, but I’m certainly frustrated for the fans as well. I’ve been in this game a long time and had a great appreciation for fan bases wherever I’ve been and what that means for a team and a city. You start to set things in place to make a change and you want it to happen overnight. Sometimes it takes longer than you want, but you have to keep your head down, be strong-willed, keep the vision clear and come to work every day and you’ve got to be able to fight your way through the tough times.”
On a day when it was otherwise playing well, at least early, Reich’s defense played a big part in the Cowboys taking a 17-3 halftime lead, extending two drives with penalties that might have otherwise ended with long field-goal attempts.
Carolina gave away three third-down stops in the first half, and Dallas converted those into 10 points, including a touchdown pass from Dak Prescott to CeeDee Lamb right before halftime. On one of those the fouls, the Panthers were called for a horse collar and a face mask — on the same play.
For a team that’s struggled to score all season, helping one of the NFL’s hottest teams score more points wasn’t exactly a winning formula.
And in the second half, things got worse.
First, the Panthers went on a nearly nine-minute, 17-play drive, converting three fourth downs, to get to within a touchdown, at 17-10. Bryce Young hit Tommy Tremble for a short score, and the Panthers’ fans had a little hope.
But that hope died fast.
The Panthers’ score seemed to get the Cowboys’ attention, and Dallas began to find its gear. Prescott led a long scoring drive, finished off by a 21-yard run by Tony Pollard.
Then, on the Panthers’ next play, down 24-10, Bryce Young threw a pick-6.
On the possession after that, Young fumbled. The ball slipped out of his hand as he tried to scramble after being pressured. He was sacked seven times in the game.
Dallas kicked a field goal and, suddenly, the score was 33-10. Prescott’s day was done by the middle of the fourth quarter.
“We had problems protecting,” Reich said. “We had problems protecting in the first half, really the whole game. They’re very talented pass rushers. We knew that going in....We knew it was going to be a challenge and we thought the formula was run the football, sustain drives, shorten the game like that, be able to throw some play-action, take a few shots here and there. But when we stalled running it, on a few key third downs, then in the red zone, we weren’t able to make plays when we needed it.”
So if you’re keeping score at home, this is where the Panthers are right now:
After rallying to beat the Texans 15-13 on Oct. 29 to end a six-game win streak, the Panthers (1-9) have started a new streak. Carolina is 0-3 since its only win of the season. In that run, the offense has scored 36 points.
Like his team, Young had another tough Sunday.
Just two weeks after he threw three interceptions, including two pick-6s against the Colts, Young threw another Sunday, plus he had the fumble. He faced a monstrous pass rush all game, and drew a little sympathy from a former Panther calling the game on national television on Fox.
“Everybody wants to make an assessment of where he stands, the young rookie, but I just don’t know how fair an evaluation anyone can make on Bryce Young until they are able to protect him,” analyst Greg Olsen said on the TV broadcast. “He’s been under constant stress literally since the first play of the game. Rookie or not, I’m not sure how many quarterbacks can operate in that environment.”
Notable
▪ The Panthers came into game with 12 offensive touchdowns all year. Dallas had that many in the past its previous three games.
▪ Carolina had some success with a more vertical running game, versus the zone scheme it’s employed most the season. Reich, who took over play-calling duties from Thomas Brown, saw his team rush for 110 yards. The Panthers, however, threw for just 77. Young was 16-29 for 129 yards, but was sacked seven times for a loss of 46.
▪ Dallas outgained the Panthers 311-187.
▪ Carolina plays at the Texas next week. Houston (3-7) has lost three straight, including Sunday’s 34-14 loss to the Jaguars.
PHOTOS: Scroll down for photos from Sunday’s game.
STAT STUFFERS
Chuba Hubbard, Miles Sanders, Panthers: Hubbard ran 10 times for 57 yards and Sanders 11 times for 50.
Dak Prescott, Cowboys: Prescott was efficient, but not nearly as spectacular as he’s been. He completed 25-of-38 passes for 189 yards and two touchdowns, but receiver CeeDee Lamb, who had three straight games of at least 10 catches and at least 150 yards, was limited to six catches for 38 yards and a score.
Micah Parsons, Cowboys: Parsons had 2.5 sacks among his eight total tackles. He was just a menace all game.
Troy Hill, Panthers: The Panthers defensive back had eight total tackles, including three solo tackles and one tackle for a loss. He also had several pass breakups.
Fourth-quarter updates
COWBOYS 33, PANTHERS 10: Young turnover leads to more points
3:43 p.m.: Brandon Aubrey made a 27-yard field goal for the Cowboys after the Panthers turned the ball over again. Bryce Young had the ball slip out of his hands while trying to scramble. Dallas got the ball in plus territory and ultimately kicked the field goal.
COWBOYS 30, PANTHERS 10: Another pick extends Cowboys lead
3:28 p.m.: When Carolina got the ball back, down two scores, Bryce Young tried to hit Jonathan Mingo on a crossing route. Dallas cornerback DeRon Bland undercut the route and got his sixth interception of the year. The fifth-round draft pick from Fresno State rolled over, got up and ran the ball in for a score. It was his fourth pick-6 of the season. This is Bland’s second season in the league.
COWBOYS 24, PANTHERS 10: Cowboys regain two-score lead
3:23 p.m.: Tony Pollard helped Dallas answer the Carolina touchdown with a punishing 21-yard run up the middle. It was his first touchdown since Week 1, and gave the Cowboys another two-score lead.
▪ Carolina defensive back Donte Jackson is down on the field after running into a teammate, linebacker Frankie Luvu. He was taken to the sidelines.
▪ The Cowboys are driving, up 17-10, as the fourth quarter begins
Third-quarter updates
COWBOYS 17, PANTHERS 10: Cowboys help Panthers on 17-play drive to get back into game
3:09 p.m.: The Cowboys defense helped the Panthers on a long third quarter drive. On a fourth and 7 punt attempt at the 44, a running into the kicker penalty gave Carolina a fourth and 2 near midfield. Carolina went for it and Young hit Adam Thielen on a play-action pass. Carolina converted two more fourth down plays on the drive — two passes to Thielen and a Miles Sanders run. Young ended the drive with a short touchdown pass to tight end Tommy Tremble. The 17-play drive took nearly nine minutes.
▪ Carolina’s defense, which outside of a few ill-timed penalties has played well, forced a Dallas punt on the Cowboys’ first third-quarter possession. Bryce Young and the Carolina offense got the ball right back.
▪ Carolina had the ball to start the second half. The Panthers went three and out. Dallas got the ball at its 20.
Second-quarter updates
COWBOYS 17, PANTHERS 3: Carolina helps with free yards on scoring drive
2:23 p.m.: The Panthers’ defense extended another Cowboys’ drive late in the second half. On third and 10 at the Panthers’ 41, Dak Prescott scrambled and was stopped short, but a late hit on Amaré Barno extended the drive. Dallas got a first down at the Carolina 23. Next, the Panthers’ defense got another apparent stop on third and long but DeShawn Williams was called for an unnecessary roughness penalty for shoving a Cowboys receiver in the back after CeeDee Lamb had been stopped short of the first down.
Now, Dallas had a first down at the Carolina 9. A few plays later, Prescott hit Lamb with a short touchdown pass.
COWBOYS 10, PANTHERS 3: Panthers get on the board after good drive
2:10 p.m.: Down 10 points, Carolina moved Bryce Young under center and became to have success with a more traditional run game, similar to what former coach Steve Wilks had the team doing last year. Young also had a nice 20-yard pass on the drive. But after getting into the scoring zone, Carolina reverted to its zone blocking run scheme, and got shoved back. Finally, on third-and-14 at the Cowboys’ 17, Young was sacked by DeMarcus Lawrence. That forced a 42-yard Eddy Piñeiro field goal attempt, which was good.
COWBOYS 10, PANTHERS 0: Brandon Aubrey makes short field goal
1:45 p.m.: Dallas kicker Brandon Aubrey made his 20th consecutive field goal to expand Dallas’ lead on a Cowboys’ drive that was aided by a pair of penalties on the Panthers defense.
First, there was a pass interference penalty on defensive back Donte Jackson, who was trying to guard CeeDee Lamb, that gave the Cowboys a first down at the Panthers 22.
Brian Burns made a great defensive play on the next play, pushing the Cowboys back 10 yards. But on third and 19, Panthers defensive back Xavier Woods was called for a face mask and a horse collar tackle on Brandin Cooks. Instead of being forced into a field goal, the Cowboys had a first down at the Panthers’ 12. But the Panthers’ defense did make an additional stand and forced the field goal.
▪ Dallas has the ball, up 7-0, as the second quarter begins.
First-quarter updates
PANTHERS OL Austin Corbett down
1:28 p.m.: After a sack on Bryce Young, Carolina OL Austin Corbett was down on the field. Corbett walked off under his own power. He tore his ACL last season and missed the first six games off the current 2023 season.
COWBOYS 7, PANTHERS 0: Prescott hits his tight end for a score
1:21 p.m.: After going three-and-out on their first possession, the Cowboys drove 83 yards on 10 plays on their second. QB Dak Prescott hit Luke Schoonmaker with an 18-yard pass over the middle for the score.
▪ The Panthers drove into Cowboys territory on their first possession, but on third down and 6 at the Cowboys 37, Dallas defensive star Micah Parsons sacked Bryce Young to force a punt.
▪ The Cowboys received the opening kickoff and did not make a first down on their opening possession. They punted and the Panthers started at the Carolina 13.
Who is inactive for Panthers-Cowboys?
The Panthers will have offensive playmaker Laviska Shenault and pass rusher Brian Burns back this week, as was more or less expected — but there is at least one surprise that showed up on the inactives report Sunday.
Terrace Marshall is a healthy scratch against the Cowboys. The receiver hasn’t had the most productive season but has shown flashes of potential, including a nine-catch game against the Vikings. The Panthers elevated Mike Strachan for Week 11 on Saturday.
The other Panthers inactives, which were more or less expected: CB CJ Henderson, OT Ricky Lee, OG Nash Jensen, TE Hayden Hurst and OLB Marquis Haynes (who made his 2023 debut in Chicago but showed up on the injury report earlier this week). Expect Tommy Tremble and Ian Thomas, who was activated to the 53-man roster Saturday, to loom large at the tight end position.
Inactives for the Dallas Cowboys: QB Trey Lance (emergency third QB), CB Noah Igbinoghene, CB Eric Scott, RB Deuce Vaughn, T Asim Richards.
Observer writers predict Carolina Panthers vs. Dallas Cowboys
Vegas sportsbooks saw the Panthers open as 10-point underdogs. But what do NFL experts around the country — and those at your local newspaper — think? Keeping accountable, columnist Scott Fowler made this season-long race a bit closer after predicting a Panthers win a week ago, but he still has a commanding lead over the field with a 7-2 record. Mike Kaye, Alex Zietlow and Langston Wertz Jr. all sit at 5-4 heading into Week 11.
Scott Fowler: Cowboys 37, Panthers 16. If I was a betting man, and I’m not, Dallas sure seems like a good bet to cover the point spread in this one. The Panthers, playing before a “home” crowd that will likely be 70% Dallas fans (and maybe more than that), will show a couple of signs of life. I don’t think it’s going to be a 45-0 rout. But if Carolina isn’t going to beat the Chicago Bears and Tyson Bagent, they sure aren’t going to beat the Dallas Cowboys and Dak Prescott.
Mike Kaye: Cowboys 31, Panthers 17. Frank Reich is back in charge of offensive play-calling, and while that may make some difference on the scoreboard this weekend, it won’t change the results of the majority of this campaign. The Cowboys are an offensive juggernaut and Carolina can’t compete in a shootout. Bryce Young needs to watch out for Cowboys defensive back DaRon Bland, who is second in the league with five interceptions and first in the NFL with three pick-6s.
Langston Wertz Jr.: Cowboys 34, Panthers 14: Very few people in the country would probably pick the Panthers to beat this version of “America’s Team.” And I’m not one of them. Since being embarrassed by the 49ers in a 42-10 loss Oct. 8, the Fighting Jerry Joneses are 3-1. In two of their past three games, Dak Prescott and the Cowboys’ offense have topped 40 points. The Panthers? They’ve scored 41 points — total — in the past three weeks.
Alex Zietlow: Cowboys 28, Panthers 10. I’m not doing it. Not again. I gave my vote of confidence to the Panthers last week when they played a moribund Bears team reeling from injury and got burned for it. Learned my lesson. I still believe in rookie quarterback Bryce Young in the long run, and I still render it unwise to call Frank Reich a subpar coach — considering his CV and past play-calling prowess and how he’s handled this difficult year like a professional. But these Panthers? Against these red-hot Cowboys, with names like Micah Parsons and Dak Prescott and CeeDee Lamb and Tony Pollard? Nope. No way.
What ESPN, CBS, The Ringer think
ESPN: The ESPN group of nine panelists overwhelming favor one team in this one. There are no surprises.
CBS: Pete Prisco correctly called the Panthers’ offense “anemic” and expects a blowout Cowboy win in this one.
The Ringer: Sheil Kapadia chose America’s team, acknowledging that “the NFL is weird” but ultimately admitting that “this game feels like one of the biggest talent disparities of any matchup this season.”
PHOTOS: Cowboys at Panthers
This story was originally published November 17, 2023 at 6:00 AM with the headline "Carolina Panthers vs. Dallas Cowboys: Panthers crumble in second half, fall to 1-9."
