Panthers vs Cowboys: Three Keys to the Game

[Saca312]

The Panthers face off against America's darlings at their home stadium this coming Sunday. With the Panthers boasting a 3-0 record and the Cowboys a 2-1 and their only loss being against the former Superbowl Champs, this is a game that comes with both fanbases being quite confident in their respective teams. 

This by no means will be an easy game for the good guys. While they have come across a resounding win against the Saints who have turned over and been prolific against the Packers and Patriots, they also took advantage of relatively poorer teams in the Jets and Texans. Even with the Saints win, there are questions as to whether their injuries and coaching woes played the biggest role in those loses. Additionally, the Panthers are entering without their top RB in Christian McCaffrey and shut down rookie sensation in Jaycee Horn. 

Nevertheless, the Panthers have certainly dominated each of the opponents that they went up against. With the defense rushing their way to top of the league in historic fashion, plus having never trailed any of their opponents, they are showing they can dominate when they should. That hopefully continues this Sunday.

Overall, it will be a tough game, and the Panthers need to continue their dominance against the best team they'll be facing so far. In order to win, here's three things the Panthers need to consider to win this Sunday:

1. Big Explosive Plays - Involve Robby Anderson

One of the main items I want to see happen is Sam Darnold getting the ball down deep. The Cowboys defense has allowed a league high of 27 explosive plays so far this season. With the Cowboy's weakness being defending the big plays, the Panthers need to capitalize.

Enter Robby Anderson.

So far this season, he hasn't shown much on the highlight reels. Despite one fascinating huge play against the Jets, he has largely been silent in his play. I believe this largely has to do with the offensive line, being one of the worst in the league at win percentage. Matt Rhule recently said that he wants to get Robby more involved, and I expect to see that happen.

Checking out the film against the Texans, Robby was open quite a bit. Sam Darnold unfortunately did not progress through his reads to have these kinds of openings in his sights, but if he's given time in the pocket and the green light to prioritize explosive plays, well I certainly expect to see Anderson being a big target. He can and has taken the cleats off of defensive backs and should be a big factor against the Cowboys middling pass defense.

While the Panthers offensive line has limited how many deep plays the Panthers can do, with the Cowboys defense not being as good as the Saints and Texans respectively, I expect to see our WRs more involved. Hell, especially with Christian McCaffrey being out they need to show that they aren't just reliant on him to generate good offense and let the other talented WRs feast.

Robby Anderson should especially see more targets. It is clear as day that he will. Sam Darnold needs to capitalize on the explosive opportunities that come up and use it to the Panthers advantage. With the Cowboys allowing each QB they've faced so far to 300+ passing yards, here's to Sam Darnold continuing that streak.

2. Panthers Defense - Stop the Pass

On the flip side, the Cowboys also have an arsenal of pass catchers and a great QB at the helm. They have generated their fair share of big plays through the air, and given the Panthers crippled secondary this will be their biggest test yet. On the bright side, the Cowboys do not have the most stout offensive line. Their center is a turnstile and largely incompetent at the position. Our pass rush should have a field day against them, with Phil Snow dialing up confusion and destruction that'll keep their oline turning heads.

However, if our secondary cannot keep up with the Cowboys pass catchers, all that effort by the front seven will be for naught.

Dak Prescott gets the ball out at an average of 2.7 seconds. He can and will get the ball out quick and I expect to see a lot of these slice and dice plays.

For those of you worrying about the Cowboys rushing threat, hell, that is negligible. Against the Chargers, they had their guys go for 180+ rushing yards, yet the game was still pretty close. Their defense schemed against the pass threat of Dallas and that worked a decent bit better than worrying about the rush despite their loss. 

Just look at the Buccaneers as well for that: they stopped the Cowboys running game, but they barely squeaked by and the Cowboys had plenty of offensive power through Dak's arm. The only reason the Bucs really won was through a massive talent gap disparity and things going their way, plus Tom Brady. 

Nevertheless, it is clear that the Cowboys rushing attack isn't the thing to most fear about their offense.

Of course, even then, I expect our front seven to shut down any run game they try and muster. Hell, I hope that is what Dallas focuses on trying to establish, but I doubt that is their plan going into this game. Against the Bucs, they hardly had any success on the ground, but were able to keep it real close thanks to their ability to pass.

As such, it is imperative that they shut down that facet of the game down the best they can. Dak is a lot better than the other QBs we have faced at blitz recognition and getting the ball out fast. I expect that to be their primary offensive attack to answer for this unpredictable pass rush.

The silver lining is, Dak still isn't perfect. Despite more obvious blitz and formations from the Eagles, Dak still suffered through multiple sacks that honestly were self inflicted from holding onto the ball too long. If the Panthers can keep Dak to that and cover well enough to give enough time for the pass rush to feast, Dak will have a hard time getting any offense going. 

With that being said, I am optimistic the Panthers will indeed live up to the challenge. The fact of the matter is, Phil Snow is a genius. He is no slouch and I am sure he has a defensive gameplan ready to give Dak nightmares. Hell, Burns said it himself - the defense isn't scared, and they are ready. I am confident Snow's ready for whatever they try and throw at him and I expect the Panthers to take advantage.

3. Win the turnover battle

Another big key. The Panthers have to execute well and win the turnover battle. The Cowboys defense tops the NFL in turnover differential, with +5 and boasting a total of 8 turnovers, only ahead of the Saints by 1. Part of the reason the Cowboys have been prolific is thanks to a defense that keys in on creating turnovers. 

Offensively, the Panthers need to keep their mistakes to a minimum. In the past few games, Sam Darnold has had a few scares with ball security that could've ended up much worse. While they have been decent enough so far, they need to continue playing mistake-free football against this team that loves capitalizing on them. The offensive line should also get better to avoid these scenarios from happening, but I have low hope on that front.

As long as Joe Brady keeps to what's working and helps scheme around the offensive line, as well as keeping things simple for Darnold, hopefully we won't be turning the ball over as much. Additionally, hopefully our defense can capitalize on some mistakes Dak could make and start racking up turnovers.

Either way, it is crucial the Panthers execute well on this front and don't let Dallas run away with these turnovers, which have been a big part of the reason Dallas is successful right now.

__________

Overall, this is a winnable game. The Panthers have the superior front seven, and most importantly coaching. They need to attack Dallas' weaknesses with great force, while ensuring they are not making the same. Simple stuff to say, but harder to prove on the field.

Ultimately, this is the Panthers first big challenge of the year. To prove they are contenders with a big chance at the playoffs rather than pretenders, a win here would help do that. 

 

 

Edited October 1, 2021 by Saca312

[mbarbour21]

I keep throwing the stat out there because I think it is important. In the Dak Era, Cowboys are 26-0 when they run more than pass. So I think stopping their running game goes a long way. However, I feel like they may lean on the pass more from the jump just because of our defense. They can't afford to get stuffed. 3rd and long does not bode well for teams lined up against our defensive front. If we make them one dimensional this game is in the books. 

Over the last couple seasons Dak is 11-1.....when facing the NFC Least. So yes, he is king of that scrap pile. Everyone is overreacting to their win over Philly. They have penciled them in as Super Bowl contenders. I think this game shows that they are not. 

Panthers - 27

Cowboys - 17

[jfra78]

1. I want to see Robbie get more touches, but I don't think it's a key to the game.

2.Stopping the Run is way more important.  We stop the run, the defense will take care of the pass.

3. I agree on this point.  Winning the turnover battle is usually a sign of success.

[Luciu5]

They had 160 yards on the ground against the Eagles and almost 200 against the Chargers.  The rushing attack has to be shut down and in doing so, will allow our elite pass rushers to feast on Dak.  Their middle is weakest, so I'd expect to see lots of short to intermediate passes that stresses the LB core.  Winning the turnover battle is absolutely key.  They have 8 turnovers I believe in 3 games.  We cannot afford turnovers and still expect to win the game.  

[Scott12345]

Our run game is going to be a key…if we can’t run it, then cowgirls DL can go all in on getting to Sam

[Khyber53]

Great write up, I'd only add to not give up on Chuba if he gets stonewalled early. He had that problem against the Texans at first, but then started getting some nice gains. He may well be one of those backs that needs time to get into rhythm. 

The key is to play our ball game, not the Cowboy's one.

[glenwo2]

27 minutes ago, Scott12345 said:

Our run game is going to be a key…if we can’t run it, then cowgirls DL can go all in on getting to Sam

Chuba needs to step up.

[hepcat]

The Cowboys offense is very good behind Prescott. Without Horn, Amari Cooper could go off. I’m really nervous about the Cowboys moving the ball down the field with short quick passes like death by a thousand cuts to neutralize the Panthers pass rush and testing their tackling ability.

This game is going to come down to Darnold. Protecting the ball, making big plays, and keeping up with Dak. I think he can do it even without McCaffrey. But he can’t turn the ball over. One lost fumble will probably equal a loss.

[OceanPanther]

I think we have to have a running game ..  that the run game has to keep us out of some 3 rd and long.  If not , Dallas . or anyones defense get to pin their ears back and the flood gates will open,

85-100 yards  by an individual or as a group.

[glenwo2]

3 hours ago, hepcat said:

The Cowboys offense is very good behind Prescott. Without Horn, Amari Cooper could go off. I’m really nervous about the Cowboys moving the ball down the field with short quick passes like death by a thousand cuts to neutralize the Panthers pass rush and testing their tackling ability.

This game is going to come down to Darnold. Protecting the ball, making big plays, and keeping up with Dak. I think he can do it even without McCaffrey. But he can’t turn the ball over. One lost fumble will probably equal a loss.

I really hope Chuba basically slept with the JUGS machine 'cause if he can catch passes from Sam, it would help tremendously. 

[islandhopper81]

Good write up but Dallas has a better defense than the Texans

[Saca312]

1 hour ago, islandhopper81 said:

Good write up but Dallas has a better defense than the Texans

Good point, as the Texans scheme was questionable at best. Simply left guys open in so many voids, Panthers could've definitely capitalized even more than they did that game.

At the same time, it is no secret that the Cowboys do have a weakness in terms of limiting explosive plays. QBs have thrown 300+ yards against them for a reason, and they also lead the league in allowance of such type of plays.

The Panthers have very explosive playmakers in Robby Anderson and DJ Moore that should take advantage. 

[amcoolio]

I think they have had this game circled, been saving stuff on offense and it comes out this week, we confuse the Cowboys and win. The national media talks about us all week as a 4-0, superbowl contender, and then we lay a dud at home against the Eagles next week and lose. This is the way

[glenwo2]

2 minutes ago, amcoolio said:

I think they have had this game circled, been saving stuff on offense and it comes out this week, we confuse the Cowboys and win. The national media talks about us all week as a 4-0, superbowl contender, and then we lay a dud at home against the Eagles next week and lose. This is the way