Nov 19, 2023; Charlotte, North Carolina, USA;  Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott (4) looks to pass as Carolina Panthers linebacker Eku Leota (46) defends in the second quarter at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports

Late TD blitz carries Cowboys past Panthers 33-10

Dak Prescott threw for two touchdowns and the Dallas Cowboys benefitted from two scores in a 10-second span early in the fourth quarter to defeat the Carolina Panthers 33-10 on Sunday afternoon at Charlotte, N.C.

Tony Pollard ran for a touchdown and finished with 61 rushing yards on 12 carries as Dallas (7-3) won for the fourth time its last five games.

The Panthers (1-9) threatened to make it interesting, pulling to within 17-10, before Pollard’s 21-yard touchdown run with 13:58 left. On Carolina’s next snap, DaRon Bland intercepted Bryce Young and returned it 30 yards for a touchdown.

Opponents have returned three interceptions for touchdowns in Carolina’s last two home games.

Prescott finished 25 of 38 for 189 yards.

Young, the overall first-round draft choice in the spring, was 16 of 29 for 123 yards with a touchdown. Adam Thielen had eight catches for 74 yards to deliver a healthy chunk of Carolina’s 187 yards of total offense.

The Panthers pulled within 17-10 with a 17-play drive that consumed nearly nine minutes. It ended on Young’s 4-yard pass to Tommy Tremble with 1:59 left in the third quarter. Carolina’s drive benefitted from a Dallas penalty for running into the punter and three fourth-down conversions.

Dallas went up in the first quarter on Prescott’s 18-yard touchdown pass to Luke Schoonmaker.

The Cowboys then put together a 12-play drive – aided by a defensive pass interference penalty and horse-collar tackle infraction on the Panthers — that resulted in Brandon Aubrey’s 30-yard field goal for a 10-0 lead early in the second quarter.

The Panthers had a pair of 10-play possessions in the first half, although those produced 41 and 50 yards, respectively. The second of those resulted in Eddy Pineiro’s 42-yard field goal with 1:56 left in the half.

But the Cowboys moved quickly and grabbed at 17-3 with 24 seconds remaining in the half on Prescott’s 5-yard toss to CeeDee Lamb.

Prescott threw 27 passes in the first half.

–Field Level Media

Nov 12, 2023; Arlington, Texas, USA; Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott (4) throws a pass in the second quarter against the New York Giants at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports

Panthers need to get offense going vs. explosive Cowboys

There are increasing signs that the Dallas Cowboys have put their offense in good order.

That’s far from the case for the Carolina Panthers.

The Cowboys will try to keep it going when they face the Panthers on Sunday afternoon in Charlotte.

Dallas (6-3) has won three of its last four games, with the offense a big part of that success. The Panthers (1-8) have the worst record in the NFL.

The Cowboys are the lone team in the NFL this season who have reached the 40-point level in three different games.

“This past month, we’re hitting on all cylinders,” Dallas coach Mike McCarthy said.

Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott might be hitting another level. He threw for 404 yards last weekend against the New York Giants, giving him three consecutive games above the 300-yard mark.

Dallas receivers CeeDee Lamb and Brandin Cooks both eclipsed the 150-yard receiving mark last week, and the Cowboys ran for 168 yards.

“We’re getting through the run schemes that are able to carry over into the actual pass game,” McCarthy said. “We’re doing a lot more (on) third down. I do think it’s a product of us hitting our stride.”

Lamb is the first player in NFL history with three straight games of double-figure catches and 150-plus receiving yards.

“I don’t even want to call it a streak because that’s just who he is,” Prescott said.

Looking ahead to dealing with the Cowboys’ passing attack, the Panthers hope they might be able to get linebacker Brian Burns (concussion) and cornerback Jaycee Horn (hamstring) back in action after both were on the practice field Wednesday. Horn has been out since the opener, and he was designated to return from injured reserve this week.

Carolina’s offense, meanwhile, remains in flux. The Panthers had extra time since their Thursday, Nov. 9, loss at Chicago, bringing suggestions that changes could be in the works. Those are mostly related to a low-producing offense.

On Wednesday, coach Frank Reich said he is taking back play-calling duties from Thomas Brown, who replaced Reich in that role several weeks ago.

“It’s not about Thomas. It’s about me, the team,” Reich said. “I just think it’s the right thing to do. Whoever has done the play-calling, we haven’t performed as an offense.”

The Cowboys are a strong pass-rushing team, so expect to see them work hard to disrupt rookie Carolina quarterback Bryce Young.

Alleviating pressure on Young is one of the Panthers’ priorities. More production from the rushing attack would help, but don’t expect an overhaul in philosophy.

“Do we want to be smashmouth football, under center, power?” Reich said. “No, that’s not who we’re trying to be.”

Changes along the offensive line have come this week. Carolina released Calvin Throckmorton, who had started the previous seven games. It’s possible that rookie Chandler Zavala could be inserted as the starting left guard. The Panthers filled Throckmorton’s roster spot by re-signing David Sharpe.

The tight end position is in flux for Carolina, with Ian Thomas (calf) designated to return from IR but Hayden Hurst in the concussion protocol.

Dallas is 10-3 all-time against Carolina in regular-season games, including a 36-28 home victory in 2021.

–Field Level Media

Green Bay Packers cornerback Davon House (31) commits pass interference in the end zone while covering Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Martavis Bryant (10) during the third quarter of their game, November 26, 2017 at Heinz Field in Pittsburgh, Pa. The Pittsburgh Steelers beat the Green Bay Packers 31-28 on a field goal as time expired.

Report: WR Martavis Bryant to work out for Cowboys

Recently reinstated wide receiver Martavis Bryant will work out for the Dallas Cowboys on Tuesday, The Athletic reported.

Bryant has not played in the NFL since 2018 with the then-Oakland Raiders. He was suspended indefinitely that December for violating the terms of his conditional reinstatement from a prior ban.

NFL Network reported on Saturday that commissioner Roger Goodell had reinstated Bryant, who turns 32 next month.

Hoping for an NFL comeback, Bryant played for the XFL’s Vegas Vipers in 2023 and caught 14 passes for 154 yards and no touchdowns in eight games.

Bryant caught 145 passes for 2,183 yards and 17 touchdowns in 44 games (18 starts) with the Pittsburgh Steelers (2014-15, 2017) and Raiders (2018). He was a fourth-round pick by Pittsburgh in 2014.

Bryant was suspended four games in 2015 for violating the league’s substance-abuse policy. He was suspended for the entire 2016 campaign after reportedly missing multiple drug tests.

–Field Level Media

October 8, 2023; Santa Clara, California, USA; Dallas Cowboys offensive tackle Tyron Smith (77) after the game against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

Cowboys LT Tyron Smith (neck) iffy for Eagles

Dallas Cowboys left tackle Tyron Smith did not practice Wednesday due to a neck injury.

Smith worked with the rehab group instead but has a chance to join the padded practice on Thursday, head coach Mike McCarthy told reporters.

Backup offensive lineman Chuma Edoga practiced in limited fashion. Both players participated in a walkthrough on Wednesday as the Cowboys (5-2) prepare to visit the Philadelphia Eagles (7-1) on Sunday.

Smith, 32, did not play in Weeks 3-4 or last Sunday’s 43-20 win against the Los Angeles Rams.

The eight-time Pro Bowl selection and two-time All-Pro has started 152 games with the Cowboys since 2011.

Edoga, 26, has played in all seven games (five starts) in his first season with the Cowboys. He left Sunday’s win on a cart after sustaining an injury to his right leg in the fourth quarter.

He has appeared in 33 games (18 starts) with the New York Jets (2019-21), Atlanta Falcons (2022) and Dallas.

–Field Level Media

October 8, 2023; Santa Clara, California, USA; Dallas Cowboys offensive tackle Tyron Smith (77) after the game against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

Cowboys OT Tyron Smith (neck) inactive vs. Rams

Dallas Cowboys All-Pro left tackle Tyron Smith is inactive for Sunday’s game against the Los Angeles Rams because of a neck injury sustained during the week.

He was listed as questionable for the game against the Rams (3-4) after limited participation in practice. He was added to the injury report on Thursday.

Smith, 32, has started four games this season. He missed games in Weeks 3-4 against the Arizona Cardinals and New England Patriots, respectively, because of a knee injury. Dallas (4-2) had a bye last week.

Smith was a first-team All-Pro in 2014 and 2016, and has been selected for eight Pro Bowl games.

The Cowboys also listed the following players as inactive: quarterback Trey Lance, running back Deuce Vaughn, wide receiver Jalen Brooks, defensive lineman Villiami Fehoko and cornerbacks Noah Igbinoghene and Eric Scott.

The Rams’ inactives are running back Zach Evans, linebacker Nick Hampton, defensive end Earnest Brown and offensive lineman Zach Thomas and starting right tackle Rob Havenstein (calf injury).

–Field Level Media

Aug 12, 2023; Inglewood, California, USA;  Los Angeles Chargers offensive coordinator Kellen Moore watches during the game against the Los Angeles Rams at SoFi Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Cowboys try to get back on track against former OC Kellen Moore, Chargers

The Dallas Cowboys are coming off a dreadful performance and former offensive coordinator Kellen Moore would like to deliver some payback.

Moore now runs the Los Angeles Chargers’ offense after having the keys to the Dallas attack the previous four seasons. He’ll look to keep the scoreboard busy when the Chargers (2-2) host the Cowboys (3-2) on the Monday Night Football stage at Inglewood, Calif.

Moore was pushed out the door by Dallas coach Mike McCarthy after last season. There was a falloff in 2022 after Moore’s offense produced NFL-best figures of 31.2 points and 407 yards per game in 2021.

The revenge matchup comes after Dallas was walloped 42-10 by the host San Francisco 49ers last Sunday night. The Cowboys allowed a total of 41 points over their first four games before they had no answers against the 49ers.

“I’m pretty sure (Moore) wants to go out there and put it on us, but you’ve got to put on some perspective for what we just went through on Sunday and how we’re champing at the bit to get out there and get out next game, on the road, so we can kind of just get this taste out of our mouths,” Dallas safety Jayron Kearse said.

“We just went out there (against the 49ers) and had an all-time stinker for what this defense is about, and we’re ready to go out there and play against somebody as well. So I’m pretty sure he’s ready for it and we’re ready for it as well.”

There certainly won’t be any secrets after Kearse, star linebacker Micah Parsons and other Dallas defenders regularly practiced against Moore’s offense.

“It’s not uncommon in the league to have matchups where both sides know each other a little bit,” Chargers coach Brandon Staley said.

McCarthy now calls the offensive plays for Dallas, and the club had a problematic night against San Francisco. Quarterback Dak Prescott threw three interceptions as the Cowboys totaled just 197 yards on offense and eight first downs.

“Continuity and consistency is obviously what we’re focused on,” McCarthy said Wednesday. “No. 1, you have to score points in this league.”

Dallas ranks eighth in scoring (26.8 points per game), just behind the Chargers (27.5). Los Angeles is fifth in total offense (388.8 yards per game) and the Cowboys are 17th (327.4).

The Chargers, who had a bye in Week 5, will get a boost Monday when standout running back Austin Ekeler returns after a three-game absence due to a sprained right ankle. Ekeler was hurt in Week 1 when he racked up 164 scrimmage yards (117 rushing, 47 receiving) in a 36-34 loss to the Miami Dolphins.

“I feel really good,” said Ekeler, who was a full practice participant on Thursday. “I felt like I probably could’ve played during the bye week if I had a game then.”

Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert practiced Thursday and will play with a fractured left middle finger, an injury that occurred in a 24-17 home victory over the Oakland Raiders on Oct. 1. He has passed for 1,106 yards, seven touchdowns and one interception.

Los Angeles also will have star safety Derwin James Jr. (hamstring) after he was sidelined against the Raiders. He practiced in full on Thursday.

Pass rusher Joey Bosa (hamstring/toe) sat out practice Thursday. He missed the game against the Raiders. Safety Alohi Gilman (heel) also sat out practice, while tight end Donald Parham Jr. (wrist) and cornerback Deane Leonard (hamstring) were limited.

Dallas outside linebacker Leighton Vander Esch (neck) will be placed on injured reserve sometime before Monday’s game, McCarthy said. In addition, special teams ace C.J. Goodwin (pectoral) told reporters that he will be sidelined for four to six weeks. Both players were hurt against San Francisco.

Also missing Thursday’s practice were receiver/returner KaVontae Turpin (ankle) and safety Juanyeh Thomas (hamstring). Standout running back Tony Pollard (shoulder) was limited.

–Field Level Media