DALLAS vs. CAROLINA
Kickoff: 3:30 p.m. AT&T Stadium
TV: 3:30 p.m., CBS
Radio: 12:30 p.m., 105.3 The Fan
Records: Dallas 3-7, Carolina 10-0
Series: Cowboys lead, 9-3
Last meeting: Dallas, 19-14 (2012, in Charlotte, NC)
Betting line: Panthers -1
Weather: Indoors
Happy Turkey Day! The Cowboys welcome in an undefeated team to their stadium on Thanksgiving Day. We've seen this movie before...
Let's see how these two teams matchup:
Dallas offense vs. Carolina defense
The offense with Romo can compete with any team in the NFL. Romo came back from injury to throw 227 yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions in his first game action since Week 2. Both Terrance Williams and Dez Bryant had touchdowns while McFadden added 129 yards on 29 carries.
Just for fun, let's compare two running backs in 2015:
Running Back A: 141 carries, 515 yards and four touchdowns.
Running Back B: 159 carries, 623 yards and two touchdowns.
A is DeMarco Murray and B is McFadden.
Carolina's defense will be a great test for the Cowboys as the Panthers rank fourth in total defense. They are also tied for fifth in points per game allowed with 19.1. What the Panthers do best is take the ball away from opponents as they lead the NFL with 25 takeaways. Carolina is also tied for third in sacks with 31.
Linebackers Thomas Davis and Luke Kuechly lead the team in tackles with 69 and 68, respectively. They also combine for four sacks and four interceptions.
Outside of Seattle, this is the best defense the Boys will face all season. That being said, this is an offense-driven league and Dallas has plenty of weapons.
Edge: DALLAS
Dallas defense vs. Carolina offense
Don't look now, but this Dallas defense is flirting with being in the top 10. They rank 11th in total defense and 15th in points allowed with 22.8. Dallas has only allowed three touchdowns in the last two games and against the Dolphins, the Cowboys secured a turnover and three sacks. Even with three takeaways over the last two games, Dallas still ranks last in the NFL with seven total.
The Panthers rank 15th in total offense, but third in points (29.9). While Cam Newton gets the fourth highest salary in the NFL, he is barely a top 20 QB statistically. He's 17th in QB rating (90.1), 20th in passing yards (2,283), but sixth in touchdowns (20). Also add the 382 rushing yards and six rushing touchdowns, and you have a dynamic player.
Running Back Jonathan Stewart is on pace for the best season of his career. His 764 yards ranks fifth in the league. Newton's favorite target, Greg Olsen, is on track for a career-year as well. He has 48 receptions for 718 yards and six touchdowns. Outside of Gronkowski, Olsen is the best tight end in football.
Edge: CAROLINA
Key matchup
Darren McFadden vs. Carolina front seven: McFadden has hit the century mark three of the last five games. The only running back Carolina has allowed to hit 100 yards is the Tampa Bay Buccaneers' Doug Martin.
Edge: CAROLINA
Special teams
Lucky Whitehead averaged nine yards per punt return last week and Bailey made his only field goal attempt.
Carolina Kicker Graham Gano is 21-25 this season and has two missed extra points. Ted Ginn Jr. is a threat as a punt returner as he averages 9.7 yards per return.
Edge: PUSH
Intangibles
The chances of Carolina going undefeated this year are slim and Dallas has probably the best chance of knocking them off. The crowd will be rowdy with the return of Romo and a national audience.
Edge: DALLAS
Did You Know?
Dallas is 29-17-1 on Thanksgiving Day including last year's 33-10 loss to the Eagles.
Prediction: Dallas 30, Carolina 24
Eddie Middlebrook can be reached on Twitter @emiddlebrook.
