The Dallas Cowboys ruined their playoff chances against the Panthers by forcing the run when Dak Prescott and George Pickens were unstoppable through the air.

Dak Prescott and George Pickens Were Unstoppable — Until Dallas Stopped Them

The Dallas Cowboys’ playoff hopes might have died in Charlotte.

Despite a nearly flawless passing performance from Dak Prescott and a dominant outing from George Pickens, Dallas abandoned what was working and stubbornly tried to force the run in a 30–27 loss to the Carolina Panthers.

Prescott was nearly perfect — 25 of 34 for 261 yards, three touchdowns, and...

The Dallas Cowboys failed to achieve a winning record after a disappointing 30-27 loss to the Carolina Panthers. It was a back-and-forth contest that was frustrating thanks to a defense that continued to struggle and an offense that couldn’t make up the difference. The opportunities were there, but they just didn’t do enough to capitalize on them and came up short in Charlotte. Here are 10 thoughts on this disappointing loss to the Panthers.

1. Another defensive letdown

After a good showing last week, we were all hoping the defense had turned a corner. Nope. It was another long...

In 2024, Rico Dowdle was the starting running back for the Dallas Cowboys. After a season that saw Dowdle rush for 1,079 in 15 starts, and 16 games overall, Dowdle was allowed to leave in free agency.

He clearly was not happy about it.

On Sunday, Dowdle got his revenge, personally and for his team.

Dowdle had 30 carries for 183 yards, adding four catches for 56 yards and a touchdown, in Carolina’s 30-27 victory.

The former Cowboys’ running back was coming off a 206-yard one-touchdown performance last week against Miami. He had another 38 yards on three catches in...

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...

The Dallas Cowboys offense did their job to secure another victory in the Week 6 matchup with the Carolina Panthers, but unfortunately their defense was a liability that led to the 30-27 loss. With this loss the Cowboys moved to 2-3-1 on the season and still have a lot a really tough games ahead of them on the schedule. It still pretty early to suggest there season is circling the drain, but unless a defense improves things could be heading that direction.

This Week 6 matchup shaped up to be a tough one from the beginning for the Cowboys. The...

A little more football discussion for your Sunday if you’re up for it after that loss today. Lions at Chiefs.

This is an open thread for game chat.

Matt Eberflus had tremendous success during his stint as the Dallas Cowboys linebacker coach. Sean Lee thrived under him. Anthony Hitchens and Damien Wilson became legitimate role players thanks to his teachings. We all (speaking generally here) wanted him to have the defensive coordinator title in an official sense in those days, but the Cowboys held strong in keeping Rod Marinelli.

Times are tough for Eberflus’ defense right now and no one is here to cast stones. We are simply here to look at how we got to this point and where it all started.

The front office holds blame...

Rico Dowdle ran for over 200 yards last week against the Miami Dolphins. When he was asked about his performance after the fact, he noted that his old team in the Dallas Cowboys had better “buckle up” with regards to facing him with his new team in the Carolina Panthers.

Sunday came. The Cowboys were not buckled up.

Dowdle finished Sunday’s Panthers win with 30 carries (also the number of points Carolina scored) for 183 yards. He also had 4 receptions for 56 yards and a score. He lived up to the shot he called in every possible way.

When...

Mike Nolan may be sprucing up his résumé right about now, because Cowboys fans may just welcome him back following Sunday’s defensive meltdown.

The Cowboys came into Carolina as slight favorites, and for good reason. Their offense has been one of the very best in the league, the defense showed improvements a week ago against the Jets, and the Panthers simply aren’t that good. However, they’re undefeated at home this year, and that trend continued Sunday.

Dallas went three-and-out on their opening drive, but clicked into gear after that. A field goal on their second drive was followed up by...

The Dallas Cowboys went on the road for the second consecutive week looking for a win. The Cowboys offense scored points but was let down by a leaking defense that had no answer, and some questionable play calls in the fourth quarter. But what did social media have to say as the game unfolded?

The Cowboys start off slow.

Rico Dowdle comes out against his former team looking to add on from last week’s performance.

Dallas gets Javonte Williams running. Then hits George Pickens makes the big play under pressure on third down.

Pickens makes a huge play, hurdles the...

The Dallas Cowboys traveled to Charlotte, North Carolina, to take on the Panthers in a battle of the blues that could bring the Cowboys’ record above the .500 mark.

First Quarter Snooze Fest

The Dallas Cowboys’ offense started this game stale with an opening drive that accounted for a total of six yards and a Bryan Anger punt.

In true Dallas Cowboys defensive fashion, the Carolina Panthers offense, led by Bryce Young, picked apart the Cowboys’ defense with Rico Dowdle and tight end Mitchell Evens.

The defense was able to put a damper on the Panthers in the...

The Panthers won the toss and deferred which put the Cowboys offense on the field first.

It was a rather quick possession as Dallas went three and out. Certainly not an ideal start.

Rico Dowdle’s first run went for 9 yards which was notable given his “buckle up” comment ahead of the game and his history with the Cowboys. His second run was also sizable which made things feel tenuous.

Dowdle had 3 carries for 29 yards and a reception for 13 more on Carolina’s opening possession. Thankfully the Cowboys were able to make a stand as it neared the...