Click here to see all recaps on a single page
| Other Week 16 Game Recaps | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ATL at ARI | BAL at SEA | CLE at CIN | DAL at CAR | DEN at SD | GB at CHI | HOU at IND | KC at DET |
| MIA at NE | NYG at BUF | NYJ at TEN | OAK at JAX | PHI at NO | PIT at STL | TB at SF | WAS at MIN |
Week 16 Game Recap: Dallas Cowboys 20, Carolina Panthers 13
What you need to know
| Dallas Cowboys |
The Cowboys came out strong and by holding a significant advantage in time of possession, were able to hold off the Panthers and wrap up home field advantage throughout the playoffs. Tony Romo's thumb did not appear to be a major issue, as he completed 28 of 42 passes for 257 yards with one touchdown and one interception. Early on, Romo's chemistry with Terrell Owens had returned with five catches for 48 yards and a touchdown, however, Owens left in the second quarter with a high ankle sprain that will sideline him until the playoffs at minimum. In his absence, Patrick Crayton stepped up and caught seven balls for 65 yards, and despite being held with a catch early, Jason Witten finished with six receptions for 53 yards.
The absence of Owens changed the Cowboys passing game, and resulted in a three catch night by Sam Hurd for 50 yards. Additionally, kick returner Miles Austin added two catches for eleven yards, and Anthony Fasano got in the mix with a twelve yard reception. Out of the backfield, Marion Barber III caught a touchdown amongst his three catch, sixteen yard receiving performance. Julius Jones added one catch for two yards.
On the ground, the Cowboys made a concerted effort to get Marion Barber III more involved, giving him 22 carries, which he took for 110 yards and a rushing touchdown. After starting the game, and getting the first few carries, Julius Jones finished with just twenty yards on nine attempts. Officially, Tony Romo was credited with six carries for thirteen yards.
| Carolina Panthers |
Rookie Matt Moore put forth a good effort and gave the Panthers a chance to beat the Cowboys despite holding the ball for only about half as long as their opponent (21 minutes to 39 minutes), but came up short at home. Moore finished 15 of 28 with 182 yards, in addition to one touchdown and one interception. Moore's primary target was Steve Smith, who caught sixty percent of his completed passes and sole touchdown for a nine reception and 137 yard night. Adding one catch a piece were Drew Carter (ten yards), DeAngelo Williams (six yards), DeShaun Foster (eight yards), Dante Rosario (thirteen yards), Ryne Robinson (six yards) and Brad Hoover (two yards).
What you ought to know
| QB Tony Romo, Pass: 28 - 42 - 257 - 1 TD / 1 INT, Rush: 6 - 13 - 0 |
Romo bounced back from questions about his thumb and personal press box invites to complete 67% of his passes for an average of 6.6 yards per attempt. Romo was able to throw the ball crisply, though did occasionally have difficulty with the ball sailing on him when he tried to throw across his body. While he was unable to connect with Jason Witten in the first half, he leaned on his tight end heavily in the second half and found other options off the bench. Romo showed good mobility and was able to avoid a few sacks and gain positive yardage.
| RB Marion Barber III, Rush: 22 - 110 - 1, Rec: 3 - 16 - 0 (4 targets) |
After a pair of quiet weeks, Barber III bounced back with a two touchdown night in which he averaged five yards per carry. Though he didn't start the game, the Cowboys leaned heavily on him after the first series, and gave him twenty carries for the first time all season.
| RB Julius Jones, Rush: 9 - 25 - 0, Rec: 1 - 2 - 0 (1 targets) |
Jones opened the game with the first three team carries, but as the Cowboys found themselves ahead and controlling the time of possession game, rode the hot hand of teammate Marion Barber III.
| WR Patrick Crayton, Rec: 7 - 65 - 0 (9 targets) |
Required to step up with the injury to Owens, and continued absence of Terry Glenn, wide receiver/punt returner Crayton responded by providing Romo with an option over the center of the field, though did drop two targets which prevented him from having an even bigger night.
| WR Terrell Owens, Rec: 5 - 48 - 1 (8 targets) |
Owens looked on his way to a big game, demanding the ball and coming up with a big touchdown early, however exited in the second quarter on a play which he was not even involved. The injury was diagnosed as a high ankle sprain, one which will likely limit him from playing effectively until the playoffs, and perhaps longer.
| TE Jason Witten, Rec: 6 - 53 - 0 (12 targets) |
After being held without a catch until midway through the second quarter, the Cowboys made a number of adjustments and got Witten more involved after Owens exited the game. Witten's long catch on the day went for 22 yards down the left sideline.
| PK Nick Folk 2 - 2 FG, 2 - 2 XP, 8 points |
Folk connected from 23 and 42 yards out and made both extra points to build upon his strong rookie season for the 13-2 Cowboys.
| DAL Rush Defense |
The Cowboys shut down the Panthers rush attack the entire night except for one play where DeAngelo Williams broke free to the right side for a thirty nine yard run. Including this, the Panthers primary backs combined for fourteen carries for sixty nine yards.
| DAL Pass Defense |
While Steve Smith had a big night, the Cowboys were able to keep Matt Moore from getting things going, with no other Panther catching more than one pass, and giving up just 182 yards through the air.
| QB Matt Moore, Pass: 15 - 28 - 182 - 1 TD / 1 INT |
Moore completed 53 percent of his passes for an average of 6.5 yards per attempt in a home start as a rookie. Moore looked almost exclusively to Steve Smith in this game, targeting him on more than half of his passes.
| RB DeAngelo Williams, Rush: 10 - 60 - 0, Rec: 1 - 6 - 0 (1 targets) |
Williams provided the biggest highlight of the night for the Panthers, breaking through the right side of the line for a thirty nine run to help set up Carolina's touchdown. Williams led DeShaun Foster in touches by an eleven to five margin, gaining 66 yards to Foster's seven on the night, likely earning more touches in the final game of the season.
| RB DeShaun Foster, Rush: 4 - 9 - 0, Rec: 1 - 8 - 0 (2 targets) |
Foster's two catches came on first down plays, but Foster had few opportunities in this game through either the air or ground. Foster had been a major component of the Panthers offense for much of the season, but with the Panthers only holding the ball for twenty one minutes, did not allow Foster to get very involved in this game.
| WR Steve Smith, Rec: 9 - 137 - 1 (15 targets) |
Smith came down with a touchdown following DeAngelo Williams' thirty-nine yard run and was by far the primary target in the Panther's offense against the Cowboys. The announcers questioned whether Smith came down with both feet in bounds on his touchdown, however the Cowboys did not challenge the play. Despite the extra attention, Smith averaged 15.2 yards per catch.
| WR Drew Carter, Rec: 1 - 10 - 0 (4 targets) |
Carter could not gain separation from the Cowboys secondary quick enough to let his rookie quarterback get deep or successfully get him the ball on a frequent basis.
| TE Jeff King (1 targets) |
King was very quiet in this game, and did not catch a pass.
| PK John Kasay 2 - 2 FG, 1 - 1 XP, 7 points |
Kasay connected successfully on both field goal attempts from 25 and 37 yards out, in addition to successfully converting on his only extra point attempt.
| CAR Rush Defense |
As the Cowboys controlled the line of scrimmage and held the ball for 39 minutes, the Panthers couldn't slow down their rushing attack, as Marion Barber III and Julius Jones combined for 135 yards.
| CAR Pass Defense |
Despite the departure of Owens in the first half, Tony Romo was able to spread the ball around and beat the Panthers secondary for 257 yards, who without Julius Peppers, couldn't provide a consistent pass rush.
