QB Cam Newton & Co. haven’t had a turnover in two games. The Panthers keep the ball on the ground and try to set the tone in a raucous environment before taking their shots with WR Ted Ginn and TE Greg Olsen. Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports
Carolina Panthers (10-0) at Dallas Cowboys (3-7)
Thursday, 4:30 p.m. ET, at AT&T Stadium, Arlington – TV: CBS
*TV announcers: Jim Nantz, Phil Simms, Tracy Wolfson
*Keys to the game: The Panthers are the 16th team in NFL history to start a season 10-0, but coach Ron Rivera publicly ripped oddsmakers who opened the Panthers as one-point underdogs this week at Dallas.
The Cowboys are one of the most explosive teams in the league with Tony Romo behind center, as the quarterback helped prove again last week at Miami in his first game in eight weeks. The Panthers are one of the strongest teams in the NFL up the gut with DT Kawann Short and MLB Luke Kuechly playing at an elite level. CB Josh Norman is in the same class and gets the stage and matchup vs. Dez Bryant to prove his worth.
QB Cam Newton & Co. haven’t had a turnover in two games. The Panthers keep the ball on the ground and try to set the tone in a raucous environment before taking their shots with WR Ted Ginn and TE Greg Olsen. Dallas held up fine in Miami but tackling issues on the second level have contributed to big gains, and the Panthers won’t let up if RB Jonathan Stewart finds success early.
*Matchup to watch – Cowboys DE Greg Hardy vs. Panthers LT Michael Oher: While Oher has been a pleasant surprise on the blind side, he has holes in his game. Panthers LB Thomas Davis said of his former teammate Hardy, “He can go out and totally wreck a game plan if you allow him to.” Hardy is motivated to make an impact and with experience working against Newton, he could give the Cowboys an upper hand.
*Player spotlight – Cowboys CB Byron Jones: A hamstring injury continues to limit Morris Claiborne, meaning Jones logs more snaps at cornerback. Owner Jerry Jones said the first-round pick has exceeded expectations this season but he was dreadful in Miami, allowing five receptions on six passes intended for Miami’s top receiver Jarvis Landry.
*Fast facts: With six receptions, Cowboys TE Jason Witten will become the 11th NFL player to record 1,000 career catches. … The Panthers have a point differential of 108. Only Arizona (120) and New England (141) are better in 2015.
WHO WILL WIN AND WHY
Dallas is dialed in for a rally to push for a playoff spot in the lowly NFC East, but Carolina proves too sound in all three phases to fall victim to the upset with QB Cam Newton starring again to pick up steam in MVP discussions.
*Our pick: Panthers 28-20.
