Dallas out to reverse bad turnover trend
CHARLOTTE, N. C. — To get the win they so desperately need, the Carolina Panthers need to beat a team they can’t seem to— at least not in the regular season.
The Panthers have lost eight in a row to the Dallas Cowboys, a stretch that dates to 1998. Four of those losses came in Charlotte, where the teams will square off Sunday.
Carolina’s only victory over Dallas during that span came 10 years ago in the playoffs.
Both teams came into the season with high expectations and were expected to contend for division titles but instead find themselves plagued by inconsistent quarterback play.
The Cowboys ( 2- 3) have lost two in a row, including a tough 31- 29 loss last week at Baltimore in which they botched clock management.
The Panthers ( 1- 4) are reeling even more, having lost three straight games before the open week.
“This one’s obviously important because we both have a losing record right now and we both need to get going,” said Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo. “The sense of urgency will be great on both sides of the ball, I know that.”
Dallas coach Jason Garrett said his team needs to start winning the turnover battle, where its a minus- 8 on the year. Romo has thrown nine interceptions, while the Cowboys have come up with only one pick.
“It’s something that has really hurt us,” Garrett said. “Last year, we were among the better teams in that area. It’s such a predictive statistic in the NFL.”
No one could have predicted the Cowboys would rush for 227 yards and lose last week against Baltimore. The problem this week is they’ll be without running back DeMarcoMurray, who is out with a sprained foot, and will depend on Felix Jones to carry the load against Carolina.
Jones was a non- factor in Dallas’ first four games, posting just three carries for 13 yards. But he showed he can produce if called on, with 18 carries for 92 yards and a touchdown against the Ravens.
“I was ready when I was coming in and even more ready right now,” Jones said. “It gives you a boost of confidence to go out there and play.”
The Panthers are hoping their open week translates into a new beginning. They suffered a pair of close losses against Atlanta and Seattle to dig a serious hole.
Cam Newton turned in a stellar season as a rookie in 2011 but continues to struggle when it comes to closing out games.
He fumbled against the Falcons with a chance to put the game away, then one- hopped a pass on a fourth- and- goal at the 1- yard line late in a loss to the Seahawks.
Although Newton insists “all of our goals are still achievable,” the odds are stacked against the Panthers reaching the playoffs for the first time since 2008.
Since 1978, only seven of 156 teams have rebounded from a 1- 4 start to make the postseason. None has won the Super Bowl.