FNIA Dal at CAR Preview: Cam Newton talks to father about being a leader when times are tough…

COWBOYS (2-3) AT PANTHERS (1-4)

By Football Night in America’s Eliott Kalb

• The Cowboys have lost two in a row to the Ravens and Bears and desperately need a win
Sunday. Following the Panthers game, Dallas hosts the Giants next Sunday before back-
to-back road games vs. the Falcons and Eagles.
• The Cowboys have now lost nine of their last ten October games!
• Clarence Hill of the Star-Telegram minced no words following the Cowboys loss to
Baltimore last Sunday: The buck stops with Cowboys coach Jason Garrett. He has to
take some responsibility and accountability for the stupid penalties. The Cowboys had
13 penalties for the third time this season, including a host of pre-snap penalties. Even
more damning was the time management issues on the final series. It didn’t look like the
Cowboys had a good plan. They certainly were hesitant and undecisive. And Garrett
acknowledges he made a bad play call at the end. It is also on Garrett that his players
had no sense of urgency on the final drive.
• Dez Bryant had a career-high 13 receptions for 95 yards and two TD last Sunday but it
was his drop of a potential game-tying two-point conversion that fans will remember in the
short-term. Over the last two games, Bryant has 21 catches for 200 yards and those two TD.
• The Cowboys rushed for 227 yards vs. the Ravens, the most rushing yards allowed in
franchise history by the Ravens. Felix Jones (92) and DeMarco Murray (93) each rushed
for 90+ yards but Jones will start after Murray sprained his foot in last week’s game.
• Only the Eagles (17) have more giveaways in the NFC this season than the Cowboys (12)
whose -8 turnover differential is also second worst in the NFC ahead of Philly (-9).
• Tony Romo has thrown an interception in each of the Cowboys’ first five games. Only
rookie Brandon Weeden (10) has more picks in the NFL this season than Romo (nine).
• Dallas has won four straight over Carolina outscoring the Panthers 100 to 54 in that span
and lead the all-time series, winning eight of 11. Romo’s first career start came in Carolina
back in October ’06. Romo threw for 270 yards and a TD in a 35-14 Dallas win.
• During the bye week, the Panthers placed Pro Bowl center Ryan Kalil on injured reserve
with a foot injury. Geoff Hangartner moves from right guard to center while right tackle
Byron Bell shifts to right guard. Garry Williams moves into the lineup at right tackle.
• DeMarcus Ware has four sacks in his last three games and is tied for fifth in the NFL
with six sacks this season.
• Entering Week Seven, the Cowboys pass defense is tops in the NFL, allowing just 181.6
passing yards per game. Throw in the threat of Ware against a patch-work line and the
Panthers must stay out of third-and-long on Sunday.
• Prior to their bye week, the Panthers lost three in a row including two in a row in which
Cam Newton failed with the game on the line. Newton’s fumble late in the fourth quarter
in Atlanta cost the Falcons a first down that likely would have sealed a win. He bounced
a pass at the feet of tight end Ben Hartsock in the end zone on fourth-and-goal from the
one late in the Panthers 16-12 loss to the Seahawks two weeks ago.
• Newton said he spent the bye week, playing “lots of video games.” But he also said he
had a talk with his father about being a leader when times are tough. Coach Ron Rivera
believes Newton has been forcing the ball down the field in an effort to spark the team.
• Newton’s four touchdown passes this season are tied with Matt Stafford and Ryan
Tannehill for fewest in the NFL among quarterbacks to start each of their team’s games.
• What’s more surprising…the Panthers offense 25th in the NFL averaging 18.4 points per
game or the Cowboys offense 24th in the NFL averaging 18.8 points per game?