The Dallas Cowboys and the Carolina Panthers meet Sunday in NFL action from Bank of America Stadium. Dallas is sitting at 6-3 overall this year. The Cowboys blew out the rival Giants in their last matchup. As for Carolina, they’re just 1-8 so far and lost to the Bears in a close game last Thursday. Check back all season long for free NFL picks at Sports Chat Place.
Dallas Cowboys
The Cowboys have won three of their last four games and generally are playing fairly well on offense this season—there’s room for improvement, though. Dallas is averaging 29.9 points per game with 30 total scores. The passing game has generated 17 touchdowns, seven picks and 261.2 yards per game. Rush-wise, Dallas is averaging 117.9 yards per game with eight touchdowns.
In their latest matchup on Sunday versus the Giants, Dallas didn’t have much trouble finding the end zone. The Cowboys scored points in every quarter on the way to a 49-17 blowout win. QB Dak Prescott put up 404 yards, four scores and a pick, while Rico Dowdle led the rush on 79 yards and a score. Brandin Cooks (173 yards; TD) and CeeDee Lamb (151 yards; TD) topped the receivers.
Dallas Cowboys Team Facts
- The Cowboys have won each of their last eight games following a Division game.
- The Cowboys have failed to cover the spread in each of their last nine road games following a win.
- The Cowboys have scored the first touchdown in seven of their last eight games as favorites against NFC South opponents.
- The Cowboys have lost the first quarter in each of their last two games as road favorites following a win.
- The Cowboys have won the first half in seven of their last eight games as favorites.
Carolina Panthers
Over on the Panthers’ side, they’ve been quite a mess on offense this year. Carolina is averaging just 17.0 points per game with 185.2 yards per game and 10 total touchdowns (with seven picks) via the pass. On the ground the Panthers are generating only 90.3 yards per game with 3.8 yards per attempt and have scored just twice on rushing plays so far.
Carolina suffered another loss last Thursday, this time to the flailing Bears. The Panthers were up 10-9 at halftime but could only muster a field goal from there in a 16-13 defeat. Bryce Young threw for 185 yards on 21 completions, and Chuba Hubbard led the rush with 23 yards. Michael Strachan’s lone 45-yard completion topped the receiving effort.
Carolina Panthers Team Facts
- The Panthers have lost each of their last six games against NFC opponents.
- The underdogs have covered the spread in each of the Panthers’ last six Week 11 games.
- The Panthers have scored the first touchdown in each of their last 10 home games against NFC East opponents.
- The Panthers have won the first quarter in five of their last six November games as underdogs against NFC opponents.
- The Panthers have lost the first half in each of their last four Sunday games.
Matchup/League Facts
- The Panthers rank 32nd in the NFL in forced fumbles this season (2).
- The Panthers rank 32nd in the NFL in Q2 opponent points per game this season (10.4).
- The Cowboys rank 1st in the NFL in Q1 points per game this season (8.2).
- The Cowboys rank 1st in the NFL in H1 points per game this season (19.7).
ANDREW’S FREE PICK
I’m going to stay with Dallas. The Cowboys really got their offense going on Sunday versus the hapless Giants, tallying a whopping 640 total yards (472 passing), 32 first downs and 6-of-12 on third-down tries. The defense was great as well with just 172 yards allowed (61 passing) and a 0-of-12 rate allowed on third downs. There are a few things to clean up—such as the nine penalties and two picks—but overall the Cowboys shouldn’t have any issue carrying that momentum into this matchup.
As for Carolina, there’s not a lot to point to as encouraging these days. The Panthers mustered just 213 yards (170 passing) and 12 first downs against a struggling Bears team in their last outing. Carolina has been at 15 points or fewer in three straight games, and it’s not going to be easy scoring here either. Dallas should have a clean route to a cover.