Week 8 Game Recap: Dallas Cowboys 35, Carolina Panthers 14

What you need to know

Dallas Cowboys

Dallas came into Carolina with a switch at quarterback. Out was Drew Bledsoe, while fourth year man Tony Romo got his first NFL start. Romo got off to a shaky start, including an interception on Dallas’ third drive of the game. By the end of the first quarter, Carolina was up 14 to zero and it looked as though the game could turn into a blowout.

It did turn into a blowout, but one for the Cowboys. Dallas scored 35 straight points (including a team record 25 in the fourth quarter) to easily defeat Carolina, 35 to 14. Key individual performances were turned in by Romo, who looked like a sound decision maker with a visible upgrade over Bledsoe in the mobility department. He finished with 270 yards and a touchdown. Terrell Owens and Jason Witten were the biggest beneficiaries of the switch at quarterback, as both saw double-digit targets and produced good numbers. Owens was targeted 18 times (including a successful two point conversion attempt) while Witten was thrown at 11 times. Terry Glenn appears to be the third option for Romo, only receiving six targets, five of which came in the first half.

The Dallas running game had an excellent showing, with starter Julius Jones earning 92 yards and a touchdown, while backup and third down running back Marion Barber III performed well in garbage time, picking up 49 yards and two touchdown runs.

The Dallas defense really turned the game around after the first quarter. The two scoring drives allowed were aided by good field position (missed Vanderjagt field goal and Romo interception respectively). The pass rush never allowed Delhomme to get comfortable and find a rhythm with any of his receivers. They sacked him three times, picked him off once, and forced a lost fumble from him.

Carolina Panthers

A victory appeared to be in the works for the Panthers for most of the game, but the struggles of their offense (after the first quarter) allowed Dallas to creep up and eventually blow by them for a resounding home defeat. The first quarter showcased touchdown runs by DeShaun Foster and Steve Smith (on an end around), but the Panthers wouldn’t change the scoreboard again.

Jake Delhomme had a rough game. He had receivers drop the ball on several occasions, and could get the offense going. He threw an interception late in the game that sealed Dallas’ victory. His play was hampered by the lack of a rushing attack, as starter Foster earned only 50 yards on 15 carries. Essentially, the Panthers’ offense was dormant the last three quarters of the game.

A series of turnovers hurt the Panthers late in the game. Once Dallas had pulled to within one point at the beginning of the fourth quarter, the ensuing kickoff was fumbled by Hoover. The Cowboys scored a touchdown on the next play. Two Carolina plays later Delhomme was intercepted, which led to Barber’s first score. The final blow came on the next possession, when Delhomme was stripped of the ball and Dallas recovered.

Carolina’s defense played admirably for the first three quarters of the game, and them got completely blown out in the fourth. Chris Gamble intercepted Romo in the first quarter which led to Steve Smith’s touchdown run, but otherwise the pass defense allowed Romo to make plays and lead successful, long drives down the field. It appeared for a time that they might be able to hold on for victory, but the defense was worn out and tired by the fourth quarter.

What you ought to know

QB Tony Romo, Pass: 24 - 36 - 270 - 1 TD / 1 INT, Rush: 4 - 18 - 0

Romo made head coach Bill Parcell’s decision to start him over incumbent Drew Bledsoe look good, as he lead the Cowboys from 14 points down to a resounding 21 point victory. He didn’t take long to showcase the primary different between his game and Bledsoe’s—he can scramble. He earned a few first downs and avoided pressure well buy using his feet. Romo finished the game with 18 yards on four scrambles. As suspected, he preferred Terrell Owens and Jason Witten in the passing game, distributing double-digit targets to each. Romo completed 66% of his passes and hooked up with Witten for his only touchdown toss of the game.

RB Julius Jones, Rush: 24 - 92 - 1

Jones had a good game, as his consistent rushing efforts allowed the Cowboys to keep a balanced offensive attack throughout the game. He put the Cowboys up for good on a 14 yard touchdown run early in the fourth quarter. Jones wasn’t targeted in the passing game.

RB Marion Barber III, Rush: 9 - 49 - 2, Rec: 1 - 7 - 0 (1 targets)

As the Cowboys’ third down running back, Barber didn’t see many touches until late in the game with the outcome already decided. He took full advantage of his opportunity by turning his nine rushes into 49 yards and two touchdowns. Barber ran with great speed and power, and took advantage of a downtrodden Panthers’ defense. He also hauled in one pass.

WR Terrell Owens, Rec: 9 - 107 - 0 (18 targets)

Owens was seen smiling widely at the end of the game, and for good reason. He led the team in targets, receptions, and yards, although he didn’t find the end zone. Romo appears to look to Owen as his first read on most passing plays. Owens was targeted frequently on shorter routes where he could use his speed and power to gain yards after the catch. He appeared to commit offensive pass interference a few times, but it wasn’t called.

WR Terry Glenn, Rush: 1 - -3 - 0, Rec: 4 - 52 - 0 (6 targets)

Glenn saw a majority of his targets in the first half. He made an excellent grab near the sideline in the first half. Glenn is seeing less looks with Romo in the lineup. He received an end around carry that mimicked the play that Steve Smith scored on, but his was much less successful, going for a three yard loss.

WR Patrick Crayton, Rec: 1 - 13 - 0 (1 targets)

Crayton only had one catch in the game.

TE Jason Witten, Rec: 6 - 80 - 1 (11 targets)

Witten had an excellent game, as he turned his double digit targets into 80 yards and a score. He seemed to be Romo’s security blanket over the middle.

TE Anthony Fasano, Rec: 3 - 11 - 0 (4 targets)

Fasano saw two targets in each half, and finished the game with three receptions.

PK Mike Vanderjagt 2 - 3 FG, 3 - 3 XP, 9 points

Vanderjagt missed his first field goal attempt in the game, a 47 yard try in the first quarter that bounced off the right upright. Carolina scored on the ensuing drive. His other two tries were good, from 38 and 24 yards. Vanderjagt made all three of his PATs.

DAL Rush Defense

The Cowboys' rush defense was excellent, and shut down the Carolina running game after a first quarter DeShaun Foster touchdown. They gave up 76 yards total and two scores, but one came on a Steve Smith end around. The rush defense played well enough that Carolina couldn’t eat up enough clock to keep their lead, and the Cowboys offense took advantage in the fourth quarter.

DAL Pass Defense

The Dallas pass defense was really the story of the game, as their heroics sealed the victory late in the game. Their fourth quarter was particularly excellent, as they both intercepted and forced a fumble from Jake Delhomme, which lead to 14 straight points. They only allowed 149 yards through the air and contained Steve Smith, who finished with 55 yards receiving.

QB Jake Delhomme, Pass: 17 - 31 - 149 - 0 TD / 1 INT

Delhomme had a sub par game. He couldn’t get into any rhythm, and didn’t get consistent production from Steve Smith and Keyshawn Johnson. Delhomme was visibly frustrated with dropped passes, one of which would likely have been a Johnson touchdown. His play in the fourth quarter was atrocious, and he gave the ball, and essentially the game, to the Cowboys on two straight possessions.

RB DeShaun Foster, Rush: 15 - 50 - 1, Rec: 4 - 31 - 0 (6 targets)

Foster never really got on track running the ball. He did contribute in both the passing and running game, earning at least 30 yards in each. Foster scored the first touchdown of the game on a one yard score early in the first quarter.

RB Nick Goings, Rush: 1 - 2 - 0, Rec: 2 - 9 - 0 (6 targets)

Goings had a rush in the second quarter and a couple of catches late in the contest.

WR Steve Smith, Rush: 1 - 24 - 1, Rec: 6 - 55 - 0 (10 targets)

Smith once again led the Panthers in targets. He didn’t do much with them, especially early on when he was covered well by Terrence Newman. Smith had a nice 24 yard end around for a score in the first quarter.

WR Keyshawn Johnson, Rec: 1 - 19 - 0 (8 targets)

Most of Johnson’s looks came in the second half. He was the target for Delhomme’s fourth quarter interception. Johnson dropped a perfectly thrown ball that likely would have been a touchdown.

TE Michael Gaines, Rec: 3 - 21 - 0 (4 targets)

Gaines caught three of his targets but dropped the fourth. He appears to be a secondary option for Delhomme.

TE Kris Mangum, Rec: 1 - 14 - 0 (2 targets)

Mangum had one catch in the game.

PK John Kasay 0 - 1 FG, 2 - 2 XP, 2 points

Kasay made both of his PATs, but fell shot on what would have been an NFL record a 65 yard field goal at the end of the first half.

CAR Rush Defense

The rush defense wore down at the end of the game, and gave up three fourth quarter touchdown runs. Overall, they gave up 156 yards and those three scores.

CAR Pass Defense

The pass defense picked off Romo in the first quarter, leading to a score, but otherwise was ineffective. They had a hard time getting pressure on Romo, especially because he used his mobility to avoid defenders. The pass defense allowed Romo to complete 66% of his passes and gave up big games to Terrell Owens and Jason Witten.