It’s always showtime when you’re facing “America’s Team.” And this weekend, it’s showtime for the Carolina Panthers.
Here are the top storylines for the Week 11 matchup with the Dallas Cowboys.
Frank Reich's Offense: Take 3
Over the last month, the Panthers have had just one more offensive touchdown than they’ve had offensive play-callers. (Maybe that explains the changes.)
The third version of Carolina’s offense will launch on Sunday, after head coach Frank Reich—the initial play-caller who handed off play-calling duties to offensive coordinator Thomas Brown three weeks ago—has become the new(ish) play-caller once again. So, will he finally be able to ignite a unit that currently averages the third-fewest yards per game and the fourth-fewest points per game?
Well, that’s a tough task—especially with who’s opposing them. In a scary stroke of sick symmetry, the Cowboys have allowed the third-fewest yards per game and the fourth-fewest points per game.
That daunting defense is led by star linebacker Micah Parsons, who seems to be quite fond of struggling rookie quarterback Bryce Young. But that fondness won’t stop him from adding to his 53 pressures, the second-highest total in the NFL.
Can Reich keep Young and his offense out of harm’s way against one of the most dynamic defenses in the game? For his sake (and for his future), he’ll certainly have to.
Dak Attack
As if the defense isn’t enough to deal with, the Panthers will also have to fend off a white-hot offense.
The Cowboys come to Carolina having averaged 477.7 yards over their past three games. Their most impressive performance came last week, when they roughed up the New York Giants for 49 points and 640 yards—just 12 shy of a franchise record.
Leading the charge was quarterback Dak Prescott and his five total touchdowns. He and head coach Mike McCarthy have, additionally, unlocked wide receiver CeeDee Lamb—who has reeled in 41 balls for 617 yards and three scores over his last four games.
A banged-up Carolina defense, which will still be without its two starting cornerbacks in Jaycee Horn and CJ Henderson, will have their hands full.
Home away from home?
Speaking of full, Bank of America Stadium is bound to play host to a flood of blue on Sunday.
As has been the case for the last handful of years, visiting teams have traveled well into Charlotte. This season has already seen some impressive (depending on who you ask) showings from the faithful of the Minnesota Vikings and dancin’ Jim Irsay’s Indianapolis Colts.
Now, the NFL’s most popular team is ready to hit town and the Panthers certainly know it. Heck, Reich even admitted to reporters on Friday that his offense practiced silent counts during the week.
We’re quite a ways from Jerry’s World, but we’ll likely get a healthy taste of it in Week 11.
