The Dallas Cowboys (2-2-1) visit the Carolina Panthers (2-3) at noon Saturday at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte in a matchup that could reshape the NFC East race.
After beating the New York Jets 37-22 last week, Brian Schottenheimer and company carry momentum into this game. The Panthers edged the Miami Dolphins 27-24, a small margin but against a strong AFC East opponent. In their last outings, Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa threw three touchdowns and 256 yards, while Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott delivered four scores with 237 yards.
Brian Schottenheimer Plans
Brian Schottenheimer immediately turned Dallas’ focus to Carolina’s surging ground attack. He said he is “excited to see Rico,” but stressed that running back Rico Dowdle, who rushed for more than 200 yards last week, is a downhill menace with “tremendous power, great vision, and feet.” Schottenheimer added, “We have to gang tackle him and do a great job of our hamstring tackles.” [Timestamp – 2:43]
Schottenheimer, who worked with Panthers coach Dave Canales in Seattle, said Carolina’s offense is built on a commitment to running the football. According to him, the winning will depend on “owning the line of scrimmage” against a physical Carolina offensive line ranked among the league’s top 10 in rushing.
The NFC East Picture Has Shifted
The Cowboys will be figuring out how to neutralize Carolina defensive tackle Derrick Brown, an elite run defender, who topped 100 tackles two years ago. Dallas’ patchwork offensive line performed well last week with four non-starters, but that confidence must now translate into physical control against a defense anchored by Brown’s interior pressure.
Meanwhile, the NFC East picture has shifted. Analysts see the division as “wide open” after the Philadelphia Eagles’ recent slide and locker room tension involving receiver A.J. Brown and coordinator changes. That turmoil seems to give Dallas a prime opportunity to climb. However, former Cowboys safety Barry Church is favoring the Eagles. On Friday’s episode of The Player’s Lounge, he said:
“I feel like this is still Philadelphia’s division,” Chirch said. “I mean, this is the same squad, two and two last season, and they turned around and ripped off 13 straight.” [3:41]
But Executive Vice President Stephen Jones trusts the Cowboys’ aggressive mindset, calling Prescott the team’s “Pied Piper” who continues to make a “huge difference,” and said:
“We believe in this team,” he told 105.3 The Fan. “If the right opportunity were sitting here today, we’d pull the trigger. We have that kind of confidence in our team and really like where we’re headed right now.”
This week, however, Dallas took a hit when Jones announced that running back Miles Sanders is out for the season, shifting more responsibility to Javonte Williams and rookie Jaden Blue.
Against the desperate Panthers – featuring perimeter threats Tetairoa McMillan and Xavier Legette, the Cowboys’ road test will serve as a referendum on their championship caliber. Can Dallas maintain its trademark violence while stopping explosive plays, or will Dowdle’s “revenge game” derail their climb in the division? Dallas’ fans, let us know your thoughts and perspective in the comments box.
Main Photo: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images
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