At first, it wasn’t pretty for the Dallas Cowboys, but they made it happen and beat the Carolina Panthers 33-10 on Sunday.
This was another should-win game for the Cowboys, and although it wasn’t their best performance, it showed how they respond to teams putting it all on the line to create different matchups.
Dallas Cowboys vs. Carolina Panthers
The Panthers Defeated Themselves
The Panthers displayed how playing undisciplined football has led them to a 1-9 record.
They had eight penalties for 90 yards in the game, the most penalty yards they have given up so far this season.
MORE: Dallas Cowboys Depth Chart
Three vital penalties allowed the Cowboys to have a 17-3 lead by halftime. The Panthers beat themselves throughout the game with penalties and were not playing smart overall.
Although this has been a downfall for the Cowboys during road games this season, it wasn’t an issue today.
The Cowboys had five penalties for 45 yards in this matchup. Earlier in the week, head coach Mike McCarthy said limiting penalties would be an emphasis for the team this week.
Dallas’ Defensive Domination Continues
Anything But Bland Secondary
DaRon Bland continues to set the bar high for what second-year players can do.
He had a pick-six in the game, giving him his fourth of the season, the most by a player in his second season in NFL history.
Bland has continued to secure the Cowboys’ secondary despite not having Trevon Diggs on the field.
INT No. 6️⃣
Pick-six No. 4️⃣ @DaRon_Bland 😱 pic.twitter.com/nkERULUdK2— Dallas Cowboys (@dallascowboys) November 19, 2023
Parsons Silences the Doubters
Parsons didn’t have any tackles or sacks in last week’s game and came out with a vengeance this week.
The edge rusher had three sacks against the Panthers, two of which came in Carolina’s first two drives. It was also a career-high for Parsons, who previously had 2.5 sacks back in 2021.
Micah Parsons with his second sack of the first quarter pic.twitter.com/RccYfooGLc
— Jon Machota (@jonmachota) November 19, 2023
He was flying all over the field in this game and contributed to the constant pressure the unit was putting on Byrce Young.
During the broadcast, Erin Andrews said in her post-halftime report that the Cowboys confirmed Parsons was sick on the sidelines.
Despite this, Parsons’ dominance was felt during the second half of the game.
This contest showed how much Parsons impacts the game, even if he isn’t showing up on the stat sheet.
But don’t get it twisted; he knows how to instill fear into opposing quarterbacks.
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