Dallas Cowboys vs Carolina Panthers - Week 6 Game Preview

Cowboys vs. Panthers – Week 6 Pregame Preview

Date: Sunday, October 12, 2025Time: 1:00 PM ETVenue: Bank of America Stadium – Charlotte, NCTV: FOX

The Dallas Cowboys head to Charlotte this Sunday for a Week 6 showdown against the Carolina Panthers, in what shapes up as a high-scoring, narrative-rich game with playoff implications already simmering. Dallas sits at 2-2-1, desperate to string together consecutive wins, while the Panthers are 2-3 and fresh off a thrilling comeback victory against the Miami Dolphins. The spread is sitting at Cowboys -3.5 with the Over/Under at 49.5, a number reflective of both teams’ offensive explosions and defensive vulnerabilities.

Storylines to Watch

Dak Prescott’s MVP-Level Start

Dak Prescott is playing some of the best football of his career, completing 71.3% of passes for 271.2 yards per game and racking up 10 touchdowns through just five games. He’s been remarkably efficient despite missing key weapons like CeeDee Lamb and operating behind a battered offensive line. Prescott’s poise, decision-making, and ball distribution have allowed Dallas to remain in the upper tier of NFL offenses in success rate and yards per play.

The looming question: will CeeDee Lamb suit up after last week’s absence? Early reports suggest he’s trending toward playing, which could elevate the Cowboys’ air attack into its full form against a Carolina secondary that’s struggled to limit big plays.

Rico Dowdle’s Revenge Game

No storyline looms larger on the Panthers’ side than Rico Dowdle facing his former team. After Dallas opted not to re-sign him, Dowdle found a home in Carolina but remained in a backup role until Chuba Hubbard’s injury opened the door last week. Dowdle responded with a career-best 206 rushing yards and a touchdown on 23 carries, adding 28 receiving yards for a staggering 234 total yards from scrimmage. He fell just four yards shy of DeAngelo Williams’ franchise record.

Dowdle has been vocal about wanting to punish his former team’s defense, calling himself a “violent runner” and promising physicality at the second level. Against a Cowboys defense that ranks 31st in DVOA, 32nd in opponent EPA, and 31st in opponent success rate, Dowdle could be a decisive force.

Defensive Woes vs. Offensive Firepower

The Cowboys’ defense finally showed teeth in Week 5 against the Jets, generating a pass rush that had been absent earlier in the year. However, their season-long metrics remain among the league’s worst. Their inability to stop explosive plays, combined with inconsistent tackling, has forced Prescott to win games in shootout fashion.

Carolina’s defense, conversely, has overachieved relative to expectations. Ranked 4th in opponent success rate, they’ve found ways to limit sustained drives despite giving up points. Whether that success holds against Dallas’s high-tempo passing game will be critical, especially if Lamb returns.

Recent Form & Momentum

Cowboys (Last Week: W 37-22 vs. Jets)

• Controlled the first half, scoring twice before halftime.

• Prescott spread the ball effectively to Jake Ferguson and Ryan Flournoy.

• Javonte Williams powered the rushing attack, keeping pressure off the depleted offensive line.

• Pass rush showed improvement, creating disruptions that stabilized the defense.

Panthers (Last Week: W 27-24 vs. Dolphins)

• Overcame a large deficit with relentless second-half offense.

• Dowdle’s career day sparked the comeback.

• Defense generated key stops late, avoiding collapse.

• Bryce Young showed flashes but continues to make mistakes under pressure.

Key Matchups

Dallas Offensive Line vs. Carolina Pass Rush

Dallas hopes to get OT Tyler Guyton back to stabilize protection. Without him, Prescott will face consistent heat from Carolina’s front. If given time, Dallas’s deep passing game could expose gaps in the Panthers’ secondary.

Rico Dowdle & Chuba Hubbard vs. Cowboys Front Seven

Even if Hubbard returns, expect Dowdle to get a heavy workload against a run defense that’s been soft at the line of scrimmage. If Carolina can control clock and tempo with the ground game, they can keep Prescott’s offense sidelined.

Bryce Young vs. Cowboys Secondary

Young’s ability to hit quick, accurate passes will be key. Dallas’s secondary has been inconsistent, and Carolina’s WR corps—despite losing Jalen Coker—can find space if the pass protection holds.

Betting Trends

Cowboys:

• 8-4 ATS in last 12 games.

• 9-4 to the OVER in last 13.

• 12-3 straight up vs. Panthers since 2000.

• 8-3 ATS vs. NFC South opponents.

Panthers:

• 10-4 ATS in last 14.

• 7-2 to the OVER in last nine.

• 7-1 ATS in last eight games overall.

• Just 1-9 SU vs. NFC East opponents.

Injury Impact

Cowboys:

• WR CeeDee Lamb – Questionable, trending up.

• WR KaVontae Turpin – Questionable.

• OL Tyler Guyton – Questionable.

• OL Tyler Booker – Out.

Panthers:

• RB Chuba Hubbard – Questionable (calf).

• CB Chau Smith-Wade – Questionable.

• TE Ja’Tavion Sanders – Questionable.

• DT Tershawn Wharton – Questionable.

• WR Jalen Coker – IR.

Key takeaway: Lamb’s return could swing the line; Hubbard’s absence could mean another 20+ carry day for Dowdle.

Statistical Snapshot

Team	Points/Game	Yards/Play	Offensive DVOA	Defensive DVOA
Cowboys	28.6	6.1	Top 6	31st
Panthers	23.2	5.6	15th	17th

Prediction & Pick

The Panthers’ run game, fueled by Dowdle’s revenge motivation, should find lanes against Dallas’s struggling run defense. However, even with Carolina’s defensive efficiency stats, it’s hard to see them containing Prescott for four quarters—especially if Lamb plays. Dallas’s offensive balance and situational efficiency give them the edge in a likely shootout.

Projected Final Score: Cowboys 31 – Panthers 27Best Bet: Over 49.5 – Both defenses are exploitable, and offensive playmakers on both sides should thrive.Spread Lean: Cowboys -3.5 – Prescott’s efficiency and Dallas’s overall offensive firepower outweigh Carolina’s home-field factor.