G.J. McCarthy / Staff Photographer
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No matter what the odds are, Dallas for some reason can never finish a game to save their lives. Eventually they have to come through or soon there will be major changes with their coaching staff and perhaps the starting quarterback as well.
There have already been rumors about the Cowboys potentially trading up for a Geno Smith or Matt Barkley, but we are not even halfway through the year yet.
Tony Romo has been phased with constantly being careless with the ball in crunch time, but he finally played well against a solid Ravens defense regardless of how depleted they are.
Dez Bryant (groin) may be listed as ‘questionable’ currently against the Panthers, but his superstar skills are finally clicking with Romo. The Carolina secondary is also among the worst in the NFC, and it begs the question as to who exactly is the worst team in the NFC?
Carolina by the points are the worst team by a large amount and it has to do with the lack of passing the ball. Whether we are talking offense or defense, Cam Newton has not been the savior in his sophomore year that many expected.
Still, this is a developing team that has ways to go before we can consider them an outstanding team. The NFC South division has never been up for grabs at any point this season with the Falcons playing like the top team in football heading into their bye week.
Those ‘Dirty Birds’ have been exceptional with Matt Ryan leading the way, but they have the amount of playmakers that the Panthers dreamed they had.
Brandon LaFell has been largely too inconsistent and a lot of that has to do with a struggling offensive line and running game.
Newton has thrown his fair share of one-hoppers that many baseball fans would appreciate, but not the die-hard pigskin fans.
Carolina needs to build some pieces around for Cam and although it may seem like an excuse for the duel-threat QB, his running backs are no longer considered a stud duo.
DeAngelo Williams and Johnathan Stewart were once recognized as one of the more explosive and electric backs in the NFL, and nagging injuries has cost them their growth and development.
While the former Heisman Trophy quarterback is not running roughshod on opponents in 2012, he should be able to pick it up against a division that still lacks elite defenses. Outside of Atlanta (who he had his best game of year against in fantasy points), there is nobody else that strieks fear into your hearts.
Even without starting running back DeMarco Murray, bank on Felix Jones to go off a bit which should help an offense that could be hurting with Miles Austin (hamstring) and Dez Bryant (groin) not exactly at 100%.
They also have Romo’s favorite blanket, which still happens to be the future Hall of Famer in Jason Witten. A sensational blocker, Witten could find the end zone in what will likely be a game that once again comes down to the wire.
Network: FOX (704)
Time: 1 p.m. Eastern
Experts Pick: Cowboys by 2.5
Danny V’s Pick: Cowboys 24, Panthers 20
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