The Carolina Panthers are gearing up to face the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday, with a focus on slowing down the Cowboys’ standout wide receiver, CeeDee Lamb. The Cowboys currently lead the series with a record of 10-5, and in their last encounter on October 3, 2021, the Cowboys secured a 36-28 victory.
In their recent performances, the Cowboys dominated the New York Giants with a 49-17 win, while the Panthers suffered a 16-13 loss to the Bears.
Looking at the team statistics, the Cowboys boast an impressive offensive ranking of 14th overall, 11th in rushing, 6th in passing, and share the 6th spot in scoring. On the defensive side, the Cowboys are ranked 3rd overall, 15th against the run, 2nd in pass defense, and 4th in scoring.
On the other hand, the Panthers face offensive challenges, ranking 30th overall, 27th in rushing, tied for 26th in passing, and 29th in scoring. However, their defense has performed better, holding the 7th spot overall, 26th against the run, 6th in pass defense, but ranking 30th in scoring.
In terms of turnover differential, the Cowboys have a positive +4, while the Panthers find themselves at a disadvantage with a minus-4.
Players to watch include Cowboys tight end Jake Ferguson, who has been on a hot streak with 31 receptions, 164 yards, and three touchdowns in the last three games. For the Panthers, the spotlight is on quarterback Bryce Young, the No. 1 overall draft pick, who has struggled this season with eight touchdowns and seven interceptions.
The key matchup to watch is between Cowboys wide receiver CeeDee Lamb, who has been exceptional with 51 receptions, 617 yards, and three touchdowns in the last four games, and the potentially injury-plagued Carolina secondary.
In terms of injuries, the Cowboys expect the return of wide receiver/kick returner KaVontae Turpin, while linebacker Leighton Vander Esch is likely out for the season. The Panthers anticipate the return of outside linebacker Brian Burns, cornerback C.J. Henderson, and tight end Ian Thomas, with the possibility of cornerback Jaycee Horn returning as well. However, tight end Hayden Hurst is not expected to play due to a concussion.
In series history, Dallas has a 10-3 regular-season record against the Panthers, but Carolina secured victories in both playoff encounters in the 1996 and 2003 seasons.
Additional stats reveal the Cowboys’ offensive prowess, leading the NFL with 14 games of at least 40 points since coach Mike McCarthy’s arrival in 2020. Quarterback Dak Prescott aims to set a franchise record with a fourth consecutive 300-yard game, while CeeDee Lamb leads the NFL with four games of at least 10 catches this season.
From a fantasy football perspective, the tip is to start Cowboys running back Tony Pollard with confidence, as he faces a Carolina defense that has struggled against the run throughout the season, allowing nearly 132 yards per game and 15 rushing touchdowns.
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