Gameday: Panthers at Cowboys
7:30 p.m. tonight02:47 AM CDT on Monday, September 28, 2009
TV: Ch. 21/ESPN
Radio: KRLD-FM 105.3, KMVK-FM 107.5 (Spanish)
Line: Cowboys by 8
Wade Phillips and the Cowboys are set up to get on a roll with their next two games at Denver and Kansas City. You have to go all the way back to 2002 to find the Cowboys with a 1-2 record. It's too early to say this is a must-win game for the Cowboys, but there is an element of that here with this team's psyche after last week's defeat.
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The Cowboys would have lost five of their last seven regular-season games dating to last season. They would also have suffered two NFC defeats and in a conference and division that are expected to be tight, they cannot give away home games. Would it be too soon to wonder how long Jerry Jones could go without makIng a coaching change?
Cowboys OLB DeMarcus Ware vs. Panthers' offensive line
There's something about Carolina that Ware likes to see.
The outside linebacker has played two games against the Panthers, and he has recorded five sacks.
Dating to last season, Ware has gone three games without a sack, his longest streak since his rookie season, but he ended that drought with the big game vs. Carolina.
"If we can get them to hold the ball a little longer, I think he'll get there," coach Wade Phillips said.
Ware has played either side and even rushed up the middle. Panthers tackles Jeff Otah and Jordan Gross are formidable. Otah is the prototypical big right tackle and struggles in space. Gross is athletic but can be susceptible to power.
Phillips has been around some great pass rushers, like Hall of Famers Bruce Smith and Reggie White, and he's put Ware, who led the NFL with 20 sacks in 2008, near their class.
"I think it's unrealistic to say, 'Boy, he's going to get 20 every year,' " Phillips said. "You hope to get in the 10s or the teens and you can still be one of the top guys in the league. When he's had one-on-one, he's beat his guy and did it a little bit when it's been two on one."
EDGE: Cowboys
What if Peppers had gotten his wish?
In the off-season, Carolina defensive end Julius Peppers said he wanted to play for the Cowboys.
Let's pretend there wasn't a salary cap in place. Imagine Peppers and DeMarcus Ware on the same defense and what kind of nightmares that would give defensive coordinators. Peppers has 72.5 career sacks and has forced 24 fumbles. Ware has 53.5 sacks and is the best pass rusher in the game.
At times Wade Phillips will overload his pass rush with Ware, Anthony Spencer and Bradie James all coming from the same spot. Put Peppers in that mix and opposing quarterbacks would be shivering.
"I think it would be a scary thought for him and D-Ware to be on the same team from different sides," defensive end Marcus Spears said. "if somebody allowed that to happen I think they would be crazy."
In the home opener against the New York Giants, four Cowboys turnovers led to 24 New York points and a last-second loss. If the Cowboys can just keep out of their way, they can beat anybody. Historically, Tony Romo rebounds well after losses. The Cowboys have suffered back-to-back losses with Romo as the starter just once, and that came at the close of the 2008 season. In the games in which he has thrown one interception or less as a starter, the Cowboys are 25-7. Four times Romo has had at least three interceptions in a game, and in the following game he has not had more than one.
Is Jake Delhomme the quarterback who threw four interceptions against Philadelphia in the opener? Or the quarterback who threw for 308 yards in Week 2 against Atlanta? In three regular-season games against the Cowboys, Delhomme has three touchdown passes and three interceptions. The Cowboys are looking for their first sack and forced turnover, and Delhomme is prone to both. He does not move around well, and the Panthers have not developed a consistent threat opposite Steve Smith. The Cowboys must contain Smith and vary the looks they give Delhomme in order to end their season-long streaks.
Last week against New York, the Cowboys had to prepare for a powerful back in Brandon Jacobs and a quicker back in Ahmad Bradshaw. They did well, save for a spell in the third quarter. DeAngelo Williams is as much of a threat for the Panthers as Felix Jones is for the Cowboys. Williams has yet to break free, averaging just 3.9 yards per carry in the first two games after averaging 5.5 yards per carry and scoring 18 rushing touchdowns in 2008. The Cowboys' front must be disciplined because he will break off a run and reverse field to use his speed to pull away from defenders. And the No. 2 runner, Jonathan Stewart, is averaging 5 yards a carry in the first two games.
In the opener, Tony Romo threw for a career-high 353 yards and three touchdowns at Tampa Bay largely because the Buccaneers' secondary had its difficulties. Against New York, the Cowboys had 251 yards rushing as Marion Barber and Felix Jones spliced together big gains. Carolina has the third-ranked pass defense, but five of the seven touchdowns given up by the defense have come through the air. And the Panthers have been worked over by the tight ends in the first two weeks. Philadelphia's Brent Celek caught six passes for 37 yards and a score. Atlanta's Tony Gonzalez had seven catches for 71 yards and a TD. Hello, Jason Witten and Martellus Bennett.
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The Cowboys should be able to control the line of scrimmage. Carolina is allowing 168 yards per game, and it lost starting DT Louis Leonard. With Marion Barber, Felix Jones and Tashard Choice, the mix of styles makes it hard for any team.
The Panthers have the third-ranked pass defense, but their run defense has been awful. Tony Romo must make better decisions after a three-interception game. Romo has been sacked once. The Panthers have recorded just two sacks.
After struggling in the opener, the Cowboys bounced back against the Giants but showed some vulnerability in the second half. Carolina attacks differently with speed in DeAngelo Williams and Jonathan Stewart and a big line. The Cowboys must be ready for the cutbacks.
Jake Delhomme threw four interceptions in the opener but passed for 308 yards last week. The Cowboys have yet to record a sack or interception. They have struggled with the big plays in two games, and Steve Smith has had his moments against the Cowboys.
The Panthers' coverage teams are struggling. They allowed an 85-yard punt return for a score and 29.4 yards per kick return. Even if Felix Jones doesn't return kicks, Miles Austin is almost as dangerous. Two of the top kickoff guys – Carolina's Rhys Lloyd and Dallas' David Buehler – will be on display.
The Panthers, who have lost three straight to Dallas, are 0-2 and come in as the desperate team. But the Cowboys must win for the first time at Cowboys Stadium after dropping the home opener. Of course, Indianapolis lost its first two games at Lucas Field before winning the final six.
They can't possibly lose the first two games at Cowboys Stadium, can they? Don't think so. Tony Romo throws a pair of TDs and more importantly does not turn the ball over.
If Cowboys don't get regular work load from injured Barber, this game may be tougher than it appears.
Smaller crowd, better performance by the Cowboys.
Jerry jumps from digital board if Cowboys don't win.
Cowboys' defense goes Party Pass on the Panthers, creating confusion with lots of bodies in the backfield.
Romo rebounds, defense rises and Roy Williams catches a TD pass. No more worries, at least for six days, anyway.
The good Romo shows up and leads the Cowboys to a big win with a strong performance.