It was far from pretty, but the Cowboys did enough to beat the one win Panthers 33-10.
The Cowboys now have their toughest part of the schedule ahead of them.
After an odd looking first half and third quarter the Cowboys were able to pull away from Carolina.
The first two possessions for both offensives resulted in a punt. Yawn.
Maybe others won’t agree with me, but the more I watched this game, the more I felt like it was a game to try add new wrinkles into the offense.
The offensive game plan just didn’t look good for the most part.
The Panthers converted on THREE 4th downs on their second drive of the half.
On 4th-and-3 from Cowboys’ 30-yard line Bryce Young completed a pass to Adam Thielen for gain of three.
The Cowboys defense for some reason couldn’t get a stop on 4th down three different times.
The drive ended with a touchdown cutting the Dallas lead to 7.
The problem I have is that this was the longest drive of the season for the Panthers, like how do you let that happen?
Tony Pollard finally
The offense responded with a touchdown.
Tony Pollard FINALLY found the end zone.
A 21-yard hard run got him there. His first rushing TD since the first week of the season.
It was the hardest I’ve seen Pollard run all season to be honest with you. I wish he would do that every time he touchdown the ball. Get those tough yards.
A big drive for the Cowboys who should not even have let this game get to a one score contest.
DaRon Bland does it again
On the first play of the Panthers next drive, DaRon Bland captured his 4th pick six of the year.
A diving interception returned for 30 yards to extend the Cowboys lead to 30-10 after Aubrey missed the extra point.
After the dagger from Bland, Dallas was able to drain the rest of the clock and escape with a victory.
Things to work on
This team today looked as if they just didn’t want to play.
Absolutely no reason it should have been a one score game in the second half.
They now have a short week as they play on Thanksgiving against Washington.
Washington lost the Giants at home, so Dallas has zero excuse to beat the breaks off them.
Players of the game
Micah Parsons, Pollard and Bland.
Parsons finished the game with over 60 yards. It might not be the most productive from that aspect, but he ran as hard as I’ve seen him run all year.
Parsons finished the game with three sacks. After struggling a week ago against New York, he found his way again.
Bland is the one that closed the game with his pick-6 after the Cowboys scored their touchdown in the second half.
This was a gross football game regardless of the score. This team better be ready to play on Thanksgiving.
A win is a win and I am happy with all of them that end up in the left column, but it was not pretty even though the score was a blowout.