2012 Opponent Preview: Dallas Cowboys take on Carolina Panthers in Week 7
Dallas Cowboys will face a rare opponent as they take on Carolina Panthers in Week 7 game. Both teams have faced each other in a very few games, but both are entering the 2012 season with a mission to reach the playoffs, at least.
Panthers were not the best team last year as they only won six games and lost 10 to finish third in the National Football Conference (NFC) South. However, they found a great quarterback in Cam Newton, who had a record-breaking rookie season.
With Newton present on the offence line again, Panthers pose a serious threat not only to Cowboys, but to the entire National Football League (NFL).
Cowboys must prepare well to contain Newton. They must either apply direct pressure on the quarterback or block his receivers and tight ends and force him to make some mistakes.
If the defence does not give a disciplined performance against the Panthers, the Cowboys might not be able to win the game. This does not mean that the offence will not have any role to play.
Quarterback Tony Romo’s performance will again be very crucial. If Romo is able to create more scoring opportunities then the Panthers naturally will start feeling pressure and send the game in favour of the Cowboys.
Head-to-head
Cowboys and Panthers have faced each other 11 times. Out of their nine regular season encounters, Cowboys have won eight while Panthers have won one game. Cowboys and Panthers have faced each other in two playoff games with Panthers winning both of them.
Cowboys and Panthers are going to face each other in only one game in the 2012 season.
Last meeting
Panthers and Cowboys faced each other in Week 3 game of the 2009 season. After the goalless first quarter, Panthers took the lead in the second quarter by scoring a touchdown.
In the third quarter, Cowboys scored a field goal to reduce the deficit and then later scored a touchdown to take the lead.
In the fourth quarter, Cowboys further increased the lead. They scored a field goal and a touchdown as the Panthers still struggled to register any scoring move. The final score, 21-7, settled in favour of Cowboys.
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