Time for the bounce back. Here we are given the opportunity to get points with the league’s #1 defense. What a gift! The Panthers have not allowed a 100 yard rusher this season and have limited each of their opponents to 17 or fewer points. They have a league-high 18 sacks and are second in the league with 9 interceptions. If I were the Dallas offense, I would be scared. The Cowboys will face this defense with a once-great running back that is well past his prime and a quarterback (Q-Dog) that doesn’t do well under pressure. Dallas will struggle to gain yards on first and second down and will be forced to ask Quincy Carter to win the game for them. Dallas punter Micah Knorr will be VERY busy on Sunday.
We are getting a lot of line value due to two straight losses by Carolina. But let’s consider why and how they lost two straight games after starting 3-0. The Panthers committed 7 turnovers in those two games (versus just 2 in their first two games). If they can correct this one item, they should be able to manhandle the Boys. The Panthers are still an excellent football team (could easily be 5-0) and will be working extra hard this week to turn their fortune around. If the Panthers need any more motivation, consider the following quote from Panther WR Steve Smith, referring to what he and other teammates considered a cheap hit in a preseason game this year that ended the season for teammate Michael Bates:
"If that's the way they want to play, it all comes in cycles," Smith said. "We'll see them again on Oct. 13. That type of play is not what we're here for."
Here we have a better team with the league’s top defense, a better offense (the Panthers outrank Dallas in offense yards and points), and motivation getting 2 points! Take them to the bank.