PANTHERS 2017 STATISTICS

Sunday, 4:25 p.m. ET, Bank of America Stadium, Charlotte, North Carolina

TV: Fox

Danny Sheridan’s by 2 ⁄2

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Cowboys’ keys to victory Panthers’ keys to victory

Panthers

The last time these two teams met, Dallas’ Tony Romo threw three interceptions in a Thanksgiving Day loss. Romo’s successor, Dak Prescott, will have to take better care of the ball for Dallas to win. Look for Prescott to test Carolina’s rookie defensive backs — CB Donte Jackson and S Rashaan Gaulden — in particular. The Cowboys’ wide receiver corps underwent a makeover this offseason. The new group, led by Allen Hurns and Tavon Austin, will put pressure on a Panthers secondary that has also made a lot of changes.

They have a ton of talent at the skill positions. Perhaps the most challenging part of offensive coordinator Norv Turner’s job will be figuring out how and where to distribute the ball. We know RB Christian McCaffrey is going to carry a lot of the load, but should Devin Funchess be the No. 1 wide receiver, or should it be Curtis Samuel, who looked brilliant in the preseason? Should TE Greg Olsen still be QB Cam Newton’s favorite target?

Who win?

The Panthers finished last season with 10 interceptions, ranking them No. 24 in the NFL. Prescott does not rattle easily, so forcing him to throw bad passes will require generating pressure against a tough offensive line. Carolina gets just enough to win.

Panthers, 24-21 Possession Avg. Total Net Yards Net Yards Rushing Avg. Per Game Net Yards Passing Avg. Per Game Passing

Panthers Opp. Rushing Panthers Opp. Scoring Panthers Opp. Att

501 293 3077 58.5 550 351 3665 63.8 Att. Yds Avg Lng TD 490 2102 4.3 69 353 1409 4.0 72 TD Rsh Rec Ret 40 34 Cmp 15 7 Possession Avg. Total Net Yards Net Yards Rushing Avg. Per Game Net Yards Passing Avg. Per Game Cowboys Opp. Yds 22 25 2 0 Cmp% 15 7 Pts 363 327 Panthers Opp. Sept.9 ..atCarolina ..4:25 Sept. 16 . N.Y. Giants . 8:20 Sept. 23 .. at Seattle .. 4:25 Sept. 30 ....... Detroit ....... 1 Oct. 7 ... at Houston ... 8:20 Oct. 14 . Jacksonville . 4:25 Oct. 21 at Washington 4:25 Oct.28 ............. Bye ............. Nov. 5 ... Tennessee ... 8:15 Nov. 11 ..... at Philly ..... 8:20 Nov. 18 ...... at Atlanta ...... 1 Nov. 22 . Washington . 4:30 Nov. 29 New Orleans 8:20 Dec. 9 .. Philadelphia .. 4:25 Dec.16.atIndianapolis.1 Dec. 23 ..... Tampa Bay ..... 1 Dec. 30 .. at N.Y. Giants .. 1 Yds/ Att

6.1 22 6.7 25 Receiving

Panthers Opp.

Kicking TD Int Lng

Panthers Opp.

16 10 Rec.

64 70 Yds

10 16

PAT

35/242 79.8 50/304 92.9 Avg Lng TD

34/37 29/30 32/32 29/34 Panthers

Total First Downs Rushing

3rd Down Pct. 4th Down/Att. 4th Down Pct. Penalties/Yards Sack/ Lost

78 249

7.8 15.6

FG Rtg

0 1

Pts

121 119 Opp. Sept. 9 ....... Dallas ....... 4:25 Sept. 16 ..... at Atlanta ..... 1 Sept. 23 ..... Cincinnati ..... 1 Sept. 30 ............ Bye ............ Oct. 7 ...... N.Y. Giants ...... 1 Oct.14 .atWashington .1 Oct.21 .atPhiladelphia .1 Oct. 28 ...... Baltimore ...... 1 Nov. 4 ...... Tampa Bay ...... 1 Nov. 8 . at Pittsburgh . 8:20 Nov. 18 ...... at Detroit ...... 1 Nov.25 ........ Seattle ........ 1 Dec. 2 ... at Tampa Bay ... 1 Dec. 9 .... at Cleveland .... 1 Dec. 17 New Orleans 8:15 Dec. 23 ........ Atlanta ........ 1 Dec. 30 . at New Orleans . 1