While the Cowboys, like the Dolphins, are struggling up front offensively and in the back end defensively, Dallas is better and healthier than Miami in both phases. Don’t see Carolina taking advantage in the same way it did last week, and Dak Prescott is far better when playing behind a suspect offensive line and needing to force the ball down the field. The Panthers are getting a bit too much love after a win that was randomly fueled by Rico Dowdle rushing for 200 yards. The Cowboys are getting reinforcements back and should maintain their momentum with a clear win.

With Dallas scoring in bunches (37 or more in three of its past four games), the over has to intrigue when the Cowboys step on the field. Sunday vs. Carolina looks like one of those days in which Dak Prescott could well be able to pad his stats as he's been doing the past two weeks when tossing a combined 7 TD passes. Dallas is also running the ball well, too, with Javonte Williams gaining 135 last week in the romp past the Jets. Carolina, however, will fire back, especially ex-Cowboy RB Rico Dowdle, who blasted for 206 YR last week vs. Miami as the Panthers rallied from 17 points behind. Note Carolina's last two scorelines have hit 55 and 51, respectively. Play Cowboys-Panthers Over

It’s always tricky when a team is on the road in the east coast time zone in consecutive weeks. Yet, this Dallas Cowboys team was sparked by an embarrassing road loss against the Chicago Bears. Carolina may be 2-0 at home as an underdog, but defied the odds last week against Miami with a 200 yard game from Rico Dowdle. They also converted two improbable fourth downs. Take the Cowboys as Bruce Young has shown throughout his young career to not be trustworthy in consecutive weeks.

Jake Ferguson has been a target monster since CeeDee Lamb has been out with his injury. Ferguson has a 24% target share (2nd among tight ends) and he has 34% target share on his routes with Lamb out of the lineup. Now he faces the Panthers' defense, which leads the NFL in receiving yards to tight ends. I love these situations, where opportunity and matchup meet. I will ladder Ferguson up to 70+ receiving yards.

No team through five games has given up more receiving yards to wide receivers than the Dallas Cowboys. Until further notice, we should target WR1s against the Cowboys. McMillan has already cleared 100 yards once this season, and he truly looks the part as the Panthers' WR1. Counting on Bryce Young is a little uncomfortable, but like last week, we should trust McMillan's talent and this matchup to hit the over receiving yards.

Dallas has survived an epidemic of O-line injuries. The blocking has generated four consecutive 100-yards-plus rushing games and largely walled off QB Dak Prescott from sacks. Now perhaps the key component, LT Tyler Guyton, is due back from injury. Carolina’s run defense was shabby until last Sunday and could regress to the norm against RB Javonte Williams, the league’s No. 3 rusher. Bottom line: There is a world of difference between MVP contender Prescott, second league-wide in passing yards, and Bryce Young, whose growth can be measured in baby steps.

This will be the second straight week that the Dallas Cowboys are in the role of road favorite. They will face a young, hungry, Panthers team that can run the ball on this porous Dallas defense. We know points will be scored and I believe Carolina can absolutely hang around. Finally, the Cowboys have a big division contest on deck, hosting the Washington Commanders. This looks like a great flat spot in the schedule to fade the favorite. Over the summer, this line was Cowboys -1.5. Has that much changed that it is now 3?

The Cowboys earned a dominant win against the Jets last week, but even though they allowed 22 points with the majority coming in garbage time, it could've been much more. The first Jets drive ended inside the 10-yard line with a field goal, and then four other drives in the game ended in Cowboys territory with no points scored, including a fumble in field-goal range. The Panthers offense played well in a plus matchup against the Dolphins last week and now has 30 and 27 points in its home games this season. I like Carolina to score at least 24, and I prefer this play over taking them on the spread despite my ratings making that a strong look as well.

Dallas has done a solid job of finding spots in games where the defense needed to step up and get a stop, and they've done so. I expect them to be able to build on what they did vs the Jets here against Carolina. Offensively speaking, Dak Prescott is playing at an insane level once again and will help this offense continue to be one of the top scoring ones in the league.