CHARLOTTE – Since 2018, the Carolina Panthers and Dallas Cowboys have gone in very different directions. Back in September of that year, the Panthers kicked off their season with a gritty 16-8 win over Dallas at Bank of America Stadium. Cam Newton and fullback Alex Armah pounded in touchdowns on the ground, and Carolina’s defense showed up in full force, sacking Dak Prescott six times and keeping the Cowboys off the scoreboard until the fourth quarter.
At the time, Carolina was fresh off a playoff appearance and just two years removed from a Super Bowl run. A 6-2 start had fans feeling optimistic about where the Panthers were headed.
But things unraveled quickly. That season ended in a 7-9 record, and what followed was a tailspin — seven straight losing campaigns.
Since that victory over Dallas in 2018, the Panthers have posted a disappointing 38-83 record — tied with the Giants for the second-worst mark in the NFL over that span. Only the Jets have fared worse.
Their record against the Cowboys hasn’t helped the cause. After that 2018 win, Carolina has dropped three straight to Dallas — those coming in 2021, 2023, and 2024 — and none of them were especially close.
That’s not unfamiliar territory for the Panthers when it comes to this matchup. There was a five-game skid against the Cowboys from 2005 to 2012 before Carolina flipped the script on Thanksgiving Day in 2015. The Panthers delivered a statement win that afternoon in Dallas — one that was part of a magical run to the Super Bowl.
Now, here we are in Week 6. Carolina sits at 2-3. The Cowboys are 2-2-1. Both teams are fresh off wins over AFC East opponents dealing with key injuries. And both defenses are, to be blunt, among the weakest in the league statistically.
It’s a matchup brimming with opportunity for one side to reset its momentum — and a particularly intriguing one for the Panthers. A win would bring them back to .500 and could do more than just notch another W in the standings. It might serve as a spark — something to rally around in a season still searching for stability.
Head coach Dave Canales is leaning into a defensive identity grounded in stopping the run. His approach is clear: force tougher third-down situations and make opposing offenses one-dimensional. That plan will be tested against the NFL’s top-ranked offense in Dallas — a unit that will punish mistakes and can pile on points in a flash if given room to operate.
The Panthers, for their part, are showing signs of life on the ground. Running back Rico Dowdle tore through the Dolphins for 206 rushing yards last week — a breakout performance that could be a building block if Carolina can string together consistency.
And while it’s been an up-and-down season for rookie quarterback Bryce Young, this matchup brings a golden opportunity. Dallas owns the league’s worst pass defense.
If the offensive line can hold up, there might be chances for Young to find his rhythm with wideouts Tetairoa McMillan and Xavier Legette. Keep an eye on rookie receiver Jalen Coker as well — there’s optimism he could make his season debut, and his vertical threat adds another layer to the Panthers’ passing game.
Carolina’s defense, though, will need to start faster than it did against Miami, where the Panthers found themselves in an early 17-0 hole. Against this Cowboys offense, falling behind early is a recipe for trouble.
And yet, when these two teams play, history has shown that Carolina has a knack for rising to the moment. From the win that sent them to the NFC Championship Game in 1996, to the Wild Card victory in 2003, and that memorable 2015 rout — the Panthers have authored some of their most iconic moments at Dallas’ expense.
On Sunday, Carolina has a chance to write a new chapter. A chance to claw back to .500, snap the current losing streak against the Cowboys, and — perhaps most importantly — show that the long stretch of losing seasons could finally be nearing its end.Do you think the Panthers can finally break the streak? Drop your predictions below and join the conversation!Check out our exclusive new-season collection at [SHOP NOW] 🏈
