Game Recap: Cowboys lose to Carolina, 30-27- Kurt Daniels, DallasCowboys.com
It wasn’t pretty, but relive the disappointing loss.
Despite the offense’s continued success, at this point the Dallas defense seemingly had no solutions for stopping the Panthers when they had the ball. As the clock ticked over into the fourth quarter, Dowdle continued to pound away at their forces, rushing five times for 37 yards. The scoring honors, though, would go to McMillan, who got his second touchdown to provide Carolina with another lead.
Who would blink first? The Cowboys nearly did, but on a third-and-5 at his own 35-yard line, Prescott again connected with Pickens, who spun away from the defense for a 45-yard gain. Dallas went on to get to the Panthers’ 8 but that would be it, and Aubrey had to come out for a 28-yard field goal to tie the game, 27-27.
When the Cowboys defense then finally – finally! – got a three-and-out stop, it seemed that would be the break the team needed. But unable to take advantage, the Dallas offense then had to punt for only the third time all game.
Meaning, the defense desperately needed another stop.
They couldn’t get it.
It looked like the Cowboys actually did when a Carolina pass on third-and-7 at its own 17-yard line fell incomplete, but a pass interference penalty on Kaiir Elam moved the chains and the possession continued. And later in the series, another Young attempt was no good on third-and-4 at the Dallas 40-yard line, but the Panthers converted the fourth down try to keep the drive alive as the clock hit the two-minute warning.
When Carolina then picked up a first down at the Dallas 12-yard line with 1:01 remaining, and the Cowboys out of timeouts, Young simply kneeled the ball twice to run the time down to three seconds. Ryan Fitzgerald then kicked the 33-yard field goal as the clock hit zeroes to capture the 30-27 win.
Dallas Cowboys vs. Carolina Panthers: Battle of the Blues – Cody Warren, Inside The Star
The defense falters, and the offense wasn’t able to make up for it.
Carolina came out punching at the beginning of the third quarter with a long pass to rookie receiver Jimmy Horn Jr.
Rico Dowdle finished off the drive by exposing a terrible Dallas Cowboys zone passing defense with a 33-yard touchdown catch from Bryce Young and making the score 20-17 Carolina.
Javonte Williams and the Cowboys’ offense attempted to establish a strong rushing game, but the Panthers’ defense focused on stopping the run and succeeded.
Rico Dowdle continues to dominate the Cowboys, but Marist Liufau picked up a much-needed sack to slow down the Panthers’ offense.
The Dallas defense actually forced a punt and gave the offense a chance to go back on top in what is becoming an offensive battle.
The Cowboys’ run game was shut down by the Panthers’ front five. Still, the passing game and Carolina defensive penalties kept the offense humming, which culminated in a George Pickens receiving touchdown, putting the Cowboys up 24-20.
This Cowboys’ defense is the first defense in their history to give up 100 yards rushing to a former running back, as Rico Dowdle had slashed the defense up to the end of the third quarter.
Cowboys defense atrocious again, Panthers win 30-27 on 6-minute game ending drive – K.D. Drummond, Cowboys Wire
It was a tough fourth-quarter watch.
The Panthers were able to do pretty much whatever they wanted when they had the ball, save for a deflected pass for an interception in the first half, and a penalty-caused three-and-out in the fourth quarter. QB Dak Prescott and the Cowboys held their own, up until a strange response to that three and out gave the ball right back to Carolina.
The Panthers took the final possession, wore out all six minutes and seven seconds remaining to kick a game-winning field goal as time expired to win, 30-27.
The loss sunk the Cowboys back below .500, with a 2-3-1 record. They’ll return home next week to host division rival Washington.
The Cowboys got another strong performance from Prescott, who for the first time in a while got absolutely no help from the running game. Prescott through for three touchdowns on 261 passing yards, again with no interceptions, improving his numbers to 13 TDs against just three picks on the year.
Cowboys all but reveal Matt Eberflus’ fate after latest abomination – Jerry Trotta, The Landry Hat
Eberflus’ days might be numbered in Dallas, but it sounds like he will get another shot at it.
“Matt’s a great coach,” Schottenheimer said about why he believes Eberflus can fix the defense. “Everywhere he’s ever been, he’s had good defenses. It’s not just Matt by himself. Matt’s trying. The players are trying. This is not a lack of effort.”
Is that the quote from a head coach who is close to firing his defensive coordinator? While Schottenheimer doesn’t come across as a coach who will throw coaches or players under the bus, there is clearly a semblance of belief that Eberflus can right the ship.
Schottenheimer admittedly was backed into a corner (what else was he supposed to say?), but it sounds like Eberlfus will at least get one more week to save his job.
Another abomination in a losing effort against the division-rival Commanders next week could be what pushes Jerry Jones over the edge.
Whatever that breaking point is, Schottenehimer and the Jonses at least have to have a conversation about Eberflus. The Cowboys have the most prolific offense in football, and yet every game is a dogfight because the defense can’t stop anybody.
2 winners & 3 big losers in Dallas Cowboys’ Week 6 letdown vs Panthers – Josh Sanchez, Sports Illustrated
There were plenty of dissapointing performances on Sunday.
Loser: Jerry Jones
Jerry Jones let Rico Dowdle walk in the offseason, and the Cowboys’ former leading rusher made Dallas pay in a big way on Sunday afternoon. Dowdle ran wild and found success running and receiving all over the Cowboys’ miserable defense.
Dowdle finished the game with 183 rushing yards, while adding four catches for 56 yards and a score.
Winner: Shemar James
There isn’t much for the Cowboys defense to be proud of, but if you had to pinpoint one bright spot, it has been rookie linebacker Shemar James. Since entering the lineup, the fifth-round pick has been a tackling machine.
James once again led the Cowboys’ defense in tackles, recording 11 (6 solo) on the afternoon, solidifying his spot in the rotation. After the past few weeks, James should remain the starter, even when Jack Sanborn is healthy enough to return.
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