The Carolina Panthers (3-10) host the Dallas Cowboys (5-8). Normally, this would be a mundane tilt between two also-ran teams looking toward the 2025 NFL Draft and other offseason pursuits. But it is notable because this is the first game in which Carolina is favored since Week 15 of the 2022 season against Pittsburgh. (They lost.) Our Cowboys vs Panthers prediction is for Dallas to win the game outright.
Head-to-head, the Cowboys have a record of 11-5.
Offshore Odds: Panthers Are Favored by 2.5 Points
| Team | Spread | Money Line | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cowboys | +2.5 (+103) | +130 | O 43 (-110) |
| Panthers | -2.5 (-123) | -150 | U 43 (-110) |
Dallas’ Unlikely Playoff Hopes All But Gone
The Cowboys had a faint playoff heartbeat before their Week 14 Monday Night Football game against Cincinnati at home. Their 27-20 loss left them with a less than 1% chance at the postseason.
(Cue Jim Carrey in Dumb and Dumber: “So you’re telling me there’s a chance…”)
Dallas is beaten up. Against Cincinnati, rising star linebacker DeMarvion Overshown was lost for the rest of the season and perhaps the 2025 season with a knee injury. He joins quarterback Dak Prescott and guard Zack Martin on injured reserve and out. In addition, offensive lineman Cooper Beebe has a concussion, cornerback Trevon Diggs has a knee issue, and receiver CeeDee Lamb is dealing with a shoulder injury.
When doing a deeper dive into the Cowboys and how well Carolina has played in recent weeks, it becomes clearer why Carolina is a slight favorite.
On paper, this is not a great matchup for Dallas. Carolina has been effective against the pass. In the past three weeks, they put a scare into Kansas City, Tampa Bay, and Philadelphia — three playoff teams.
Still, despite the Cowboys’ rushing attack having poor season-long numbers, Rico Dowdle has run for 112 and 131 yards in consecutive weeks. This is an area for Dallas to exploit.
Carolina’s Worst Days May Be Behind Them
Although Carolina has lost three straight, those losses were to teams with a combined record of 30-9. It’s too soon to say if second-year quarterback Bryce Young has “figured it out.” But he’s been efficient and effective since taking his starting job back from Andy Dalton.
The Panthers have a solid running attack with Chuba Hubbard. Their secondary is on the rise. They have obvious holes on the defensive line and must improve their pass rush. But that can be addressed through the draft and free agency.
In this game, Dowdle’s recent rise can be problematic for them. Despite Dallas’ injuries, this is the healthiest its secondary has been all season.
Cowboys vs Panthers Prediction: Dallas Should Hold Off Carolina
While it’s understandable to favor Carolina in this game, they are still in the middle of an extensive rebuild. Dallas has battled even with key stars lost for the season and disgust over another lost year. The Cowboys should win this game outright.
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Pick
Cowboys Money Line +130
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