CHARLOTTE, N.C. – The Cowboys’ run defense, which gave up more than 200 yards, and their pass defense, which allowed so many open receivers, are to blame for what happened Sunday afternoon.
The Carolina Panthers knocked off the Cowboys, 30-27, at Bank of America Field, the game ending with rookie kicker Ryan Fitzgerald making a 33-yard field goal.
Dallas’ three-game win streak over Carolina has ended, as well as any momentum going into next week’s game against Washington. Dallas also wasted an opportunity to move above .500 for the first time this season.
Here are five takeaways from Panthers-Cowboys:
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What does this loss mean?
The stunning loss moved the Cowboys to 2-3-1 on the season, slightly ahead of the New York Giants for last place in the NFC East. This loss also pushed the Cowboys to 1-3 on the road. The Cowboys have five road games remaining this season, with difficult contests at Denver (Oct. 26) and Detroit (Dec. 4) before the stretch run of their season. But first, this Cowboys team enters a division game against Washington at AT&T Stadium reeling from a tough loss against what was thought to be an inferior Carolina team.
AdvertisementThe final drive
The Cowboys lost this game on the final drive of the day. The Panthers went 71 yards in 15 plays, taking 6:07 off the clock to get the game-winning score. A pass interference penalty called on reserve corner Kaiir Elam and a questionable coverage decision by DaRon Bland — playing off coverage on a key third down — were some of the issues. Of course, running back Rico Dowdle and Trevor Etienne had something to say as this game ended with the Panthers celebrating and the Cowboys heading home, wondering about themselves.
The Cowboys didn’t buckle up
Dowdle, a former Cowboys’ running back, twice made notice last week when he said that his former team will need to “buckle up.” Dowdle responded with 9 yards on his first run, then 12 more on his second run, then there was a 13-yard reception. He finished the half with 80 rushing yards, and when his day was over, well, he produced 183 rushing yards on 30 carries. He added a touchdown and 56 yards receiving. The Cowboys’ run defense, one of the few positives this season, struggled to stop the run. They gave up 216 total rushing yards Sunday. In the easy victory over the Jets, the Cowboys allowed 144 rushing yards.
AdvertisementGeorge Pickens shows off
With CeeDee Lamb out with an ankle injury, it’s allowed receiver George Pickens to become the No. 1 target in the passing game. Pickens finished with nine catches for 168 yards and a touchdown. One of the big plays of the game came on a third-and-2 when Pickens, running from the slot, caught a slant and took it 34 yards for the score. When Pickens got into the end zone he blew a kiss to the Carolina fans then took a mock nap. The score gave the Cowboys a 24-20 lead with 2:38 left and some momentum. Pickens made some nifty catches, including a one-handed grab in the first half where he jumped over a defender on the way for a 31-yard gain. Pickens also made a catch after falling down, as he was held by the defender that forced him to the ground. When Lamb returns, maybe next week against Washington, it’s clear the Cowboys will go into the heart of their schedule with two talented receivers.
AdvertisementToo many open receivers
Cowboys defenders and defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus have talked about fixing the pass coverage. Dallas plays a heavy zone scheme that leaves too many open spaces for plays to be made by the offense. Carolina took advantage of the open spots in the zone in the middle of the field and in the back of the end zone on Sunday. Too many times, receivers were just wide open to make plays. Dowdle was wide open, off a play action pass, for a 36-yard touchdown pass to give Carolina a 20-17 lead in the third quarter. The Panthers tied the score in the second quarter when Tet McMillan, a Cowboys draft target, got behind the defense to catch a 19-yard reception with 11:29 to go in the half. You can even go back to the second play of the game, when quarterback Bryce Young found a wide open rookie tight end Mitchell Evans for a 21-yard reception. The Cowboys’ lack of communication continues to give them problems in the passing game. It’s either the scheme, the players, how the defense is called, or maybe the opponent that is part of the equation here.
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