The Dallas Cowboys and Carolina Panthers clash in an NFC matchup with rapidly dwindling playoff implications. While both teams sit near the bottom of their divisions, a win could stave off official elimination for Dallas, while Carolina will face mathematical elimination with another loss. Both are desperate for a win as the final stretch of the 2024 season begins.
Week 14 Recap
The Cowboys dropped a tightly contested home game against the Cincinnati Bengals, 27-20. Backup quarterback Cooper Rush delivered a respectable performance with 183 passing yards and two touchdowns, but the Cowboys struggled to finish drives and protect Rush, who was sacked three times.
Carolina gave the Philadelphia Eagles a scare in a 22-16 defeat. Quarterback Bryce Young showed flashes, as he did in Week 13 against the Super Bowl Champion Kansas City Chiefs, completing 19 of 34 passes for 191 yards and a touchdown. The Panthers’s defense held strong against one of the league’s best offenses but ultimately fell short.
Offensive Strengths
Dallas Cowboys
The Cowboys’ offense is led by CeeDee Lamb, who racked up 93 yards and a touchdown receiving against Cincinnati. Running back Rico Dowdle is becoming a reliable weapon for Dallas, totaling 121 rushing yards last week. With Dak Prescott out for the season, Cooper Rush has been steady but unspectacular, making it essential for Dallas to establish the ground game early.
Carolina Panthers
Carolina’s offense leans on Chuba Hubbard, who eclipsed 90 yards and scored a touchdown against the Eagles. Hubbard has quietly emerged as a workhorse, surpassing 1,000 rushing yards on the season. Bryce Young, in his second year, has shown growth despite limited weapons, connecting effectively with veteran Adam Thielen, who leads the team in receptions and receiving yards.
Defensive Outlook
Dallas Cowboys
The Cowboys’ defense is led by linebacker Eric Kendricks, who recorded 12 tackles last week, and safety Malik Hooker, who notched an interception. Dallas’ pass rush, featuring Micah Parsons and DeMarcus Lawrence, will aim to disrupt Bryce Young. Injuries in the secondary, including the questionable statuses of Jourdan Lewis and Trevon Diggs, could expose vulnerabilities in an already struggling unit, ranking 22nd in pass defense this season.
Carolina Panthers
The Panthers have had one of the league's worst defenses in 2024, ranking 2nd worst in total defense this season, only behind the Jacksonville Jaguars. However, they have played better recently, especially against the pass, highlighted by A’Shawn Robinson and Josey Jewell disrupting Jalen Hurts, who combined for three sacks against Philadelphia. Injuries to key defenders, including Jewell and Jadeveon Clowney, could hinder their ability to contain Dallas’ rushing attack and make Cooper Rush uncomfortable in the pocket.
Conclusion and Prediction
Both teams are desperate for a win, but the Panthers’ recent performances against strong opponents suggest they won’t go down without a fight. Bryce Young’s steady growth and Chuba Hubbard’s consistency in the run game could prove pivotal against a Dallas defense dealing with injuries in the secondary. Expect a low-scoring, gritty affair where the Panthers’ resilience at home makes the difference. Carolina edges out a narrow victory, ending any hopes of Dallas making the playoffs.
JY Official Prediction: Carolina 19, Dallas 14
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