The Carolina Panthers definitely have a lot to be thankful for this year. With Cam Newton playing like a legit MVP candidate, the Panthers are still perfect through 11 weeks, and might be getting even better. The Cowboys have a lot to be thankful for, too, with Tony Romo finally returning to lead them to a much-needed win. The two teams now meet on Thanksgiving, with a win vital to keep the Cowboys’ faint playoff hopes alive.
Read on below for our breakdown of this Thanskgiving showdown. And for the rest of the NFL’s three-game Thursday treat, check out our previews of the Eagles vs. Lions and Bears vs. Packers.
[sc:Football ]Carolina Panthers vs. Dallas Cowboys Preview
Where: AT&T Stadium, Arlington
When: Thursday, November 26, 4:30 PM ET
Line: Carolina Panthers (PK) at Dallas Cowboys (PK); total 45.5 – view all NFL lines
TV Broadcast: CBS
Betting on the Carolina Panthers (10-0)
As scary as it sounds, the 10-0 Carolina Panthers could only now be tapping into their true potential. The Panthers are coming off their most impressive all-around showing of the season in their 44-16 win over the Washington Redskins. Since their three-point overtime win over the Colts, the Panthers have now won their last three games by an average margin of 17.7 points. Carolina is 8-2 ATS this season.
[sc:NFL240banner ]After torching the Packers for three touchdowns two weeks ago, and completing 80 percent of his passes against Tennessee last week, Cam Newton raised the passing game to another level against Washington. Newton passed for had a career-high five touchdowns – four in the first half alone.
Rookie receiver Devin Funchess led the way with 64 yards on four catches with a touchdown. After recording just seven catches in the first seven weeks, Funchess now has nine catches and two touchdowns in the last three to add a much-needed weapon for Newton in the receiving game.
The running game and defense – their bread and butter for most of the year – have remained pretty effective, too. Jonathan Stewart is averaging 96.5 rushing yards in his last two games. On the other side, the defense tied a season-high by coming up with five turnovers against Washington. Carolina now leads the league with 25 forced turnovers this season.
That Panthers D will get one of its tougher tests of the season against a Dallas offense that now has Tony Romo back. But the Carolina secondary, led by breakout star Josh Norman, has the corners to silence a dangerous Cowboys receiving corps. Meanwhile, the increasingly well-rounded Panthers offense has a chance to do some serious damage against a pretty subpar Dallas D.
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Betting on the Dallas Cowboys (3-7)
The winless skid is finally over. Tony Romo delivered immediate results upon his return as he led the Cowboys to a 24-14 win over Miami, their first win since Week 2. The Cowboys improved to 3-0 with Romo as their starting quarterback this season, and 0-7 without him.
Romo was understandably a little rusty after almost two months out as he threw two interceptions. He’ll also have just three days to get prepped for the Panthers, which will be a pretty big challenge considering he’s only just returned from injury.
However, Romo should get some help from Darren McFadden and the running game, which churned out 166 yards on the ground against Washington. The Cowboys have now rushed for at least 129 yards in four of their last five games. The Cowboys should be able to move the ball with some effectiveness against a Panthers defense that hasn’t exactly been incredible against the run this season.
Romo’s return will also give the Dallas offense an added dimension through the air. Wide receiver Terrance Williams caught four catches for 79 yards – his highest total since Romo’s last game in Week 2 – with a touchdown. Dez Bryant benefited too, and caught his 50th career touchdown from Romo, now the most by a quarterback-receiver combo in Cowboy history.
Don’t sleep on the Dallas defense, either. It coughed up 33 points in a loss to the Eagles in Week 9, but has given up 12, 10 and 14 points in three of their last four games.
Writer’s Prediction
Romo and the Cowboys deal the Panthers their first loss of the year, 27-24.
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