Where: Bank of America Stadium, Charlotte, N.C. (grass, outdoors)
When: Sunday, 1 p.m. (Fox)
Spread: Cowboys by 2.5
Forecast: Outdoors (clear, temperatures in the mid-60’s)
2012 records: Cowboys (2-3); Panthers (1-4)
Past results: Two most recent meetings -- Sept. 28, 2009: Cowboys 21, Panthers 7; Dec. 22, 2007: Cowboys 20, Panthers 13. Series record: Cowboys lead 8-3.
What matters: It’ll be interesting to see if the Cowboys can run like they did last week against the Ravens, rushing for more yards (227) than any team against Baltimore in franchise history. But if the Cowboys are going to do it again this week, it will have to be without starter DeMarco Murray (sprained foot), who didn't practice all week. Felix Jones did a nice job in relief, rushing for 92 yards, including his first touchdown since the 2011 opener. Jones will get some help with backups Phillip Tanner, and Lance Dunbar expected to get carries. The Panthers rank 23rd in the NFL against the run, allowing 127.4 yards per game.
Who matters: The Cowboys will be excited to get OLB Anthony Spencer on the field for the first time in nearly a month because of a pectoral strain. His last game was Sept. 23 against the Bucs. Although DeMarcus Ware is the Cowboys’ most feared defender, Spencer also gets to the quarterback often. In fact, despite missing two games, Spencer and Ware are tied for the team lead with nine quarterback pressures. Spencer has two sacks and is tied with three others in tackles for loss with two.
Key matchups: For the Panthers, it starts and ends with QB Cam Newton. The key matchup here is how Cowboys defensive coordinator Rob Ryan chooses to attack Newton and the Panthers’ college-style offense that includes many option plays and zone reads. LBs Sean Lee and Bruce Carter are athletic inside backers who can cover a lot of ground. It’s likely they will have their hands full trying to read Newton and the option game with his RBs DeAngelo Williams and Jonathan Stewart.
Injuries of note: The Cowboys had a few injuries pop up Friday, including WR Dez Bryant, who is questionable with a groin injury. S Matt Johnson was to make his NFL debut but suffered another hamstring injury Friday and will be out. More than Spencer (pectoral strain) returning and Murray (foot) likely out, the Cowboys will be without versatile DL Sean Lissemore, who suffered a high-ankle sprain in his only play of the game last week. He’ll be replaced by veteran Marcus Spears. The punting situation is also rather tricky as Chris Jones (left knee) played last week but wasn’t 100 percent. This week, veteran Brian Moorman took most of the reps and appears ready to play despite a groin injury that kept him out last week.
Inside stuff: When it comes to the regular season, the Cowboys have owned the Panthers in Carolina, winning all four games since they entered the NFL in 1995. The Cowboys beat Carolina three straight seasons from 2005-07 on the road. It’s a different story in the postseason as Carolina is 2-0 against the Cowboys at home in the playoffs. The Panthers are hoping it’s a different story with Newton, who is facing the Cowboys for the first time.
Stat you should know: The Cowboys have committed 13 penalties in three of five games this year. But they were a missed field goal away last week from being 3-0 when they commited 13 penalties. When they have five penalties or fewer, they’re 0-2. The Cowboys have committed 46 penalties this season, to just 25 by the Panthers, who are averaging only five per game. If Sunday’s game turns into a penalty-fest, it seems to favor Carolina.
Looking ahead: This Carolina game has a must-win feel for the Cowboys, who will be in trouble if they are 2-4, especially with the Giants coming into Cowboys Stadium next week. Eli Manning and his crew are 3-0 since the Cowboys opened their new stadium in 2009. That game is followed by road games at Atlanta and Philadelphia.
Prediction: Cowboys 27, Panthers 22
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