Carolina has the clear advantage in most facets of this game, so why is Dallas only a three-point dog on the road? Because it’s Week 1 and it’s the Cowboys. Between Christian McCaffrey, Greg Olson and D.J. Moore, I’m expecting the Panthers to put up plenty of points at home Sunday as opposed to the Cowboys, who have to play a decently tough team on the road right out of the gate. All Carolina has to do is stop Zeke, and while that may be asking a lot, teams have certainly done it before.

I think Dallas has O-line issues, and they don't have their center. Panthers offensive coordinator Norv Turner is going to figure out a way to get Christian McCaffrey the ball a lot. He'll be a big factor in this game.

The line suggests that the public views these teams as dead-even. No way, at least for now. The Cowboys bade farewell in the offseason to WR Dez Bryant and TE Jason Witten, leaving them with the league’s least threatening receiver corps. Top-notch C Travis Frederick (illness) appears doubtful, and the Panthers figure to key on RB Ezekiel Elliott. Offensively, they can use RB Christian McCaffrey in a variety of ways to keep Dallas’ D on its heels. Carolina closed last season on a 4-1 ATS run at home.

These clubs are very similar in some respects. Both have mobile QBs, talented tailbacks, questions about their receiving corps and offensive line, and solid defenses. The last one will raise some eyebrows when speaking of the Dallas Cowboys. Yes, I believe they'll be much better defensively, which will show itself in this game as they'll have just enough to stymie the Panthers passing game to get the win.