The Carolina Panthers have been down for so long that playing the underdog card is a possibility most of the time.
That makes the Dallas Cowboys’ visit to Charlotte for a Sunday afternoon game a rarity: The Panthers are listed as the favorite by oddsmakers for the first time since December 2022.
That’s about as surprising for the Panthers (3-10) as it is unique.
“Vegas is very good with the odds,” Carolina coach Dave Canales said. “I just try to make the focus about us, about what is our next step. Those things don’t help us. I try not to use external things to motivate our guys. The motivation for us and the story all along is: Can we find our best?”
The Cowboys (5-8) have a quick turnaround with a road game following a 27-20 home loss to the Cincinnati Bengals on Monday night. Playoff prospects are dimming for Dallas.
“We’re going to need a lot of help, but it doesn’t matter,” Cowboys coach Mike McCarthy said. “We need to beat Carolina. You play Monday night, there’s not a whole lot of time to spend on (the previous) game, regardless of the outcome.”
The Panthers have lost their last three games, but the setbacks to the Kansas City Chiefs, Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Philadelphia Eagles all went down to the final seconds.
“Finishing is in the details,” Canales said. “We see progress, but the goal is to win these games. … I know the best is still out there for us.”
Dallas has been in one-possession games for three consecutive weeks, winning the first two of those.
The Cowboys is using Cooper Rush at quarterback with Dak Prescott out. Rush didn’t reach the 200-yard mark in passing the past two weeks after a couple of big production games.
McCarthy said there’s not much time to consider significant changes with reduced time between games.
Despite what might be uneasiness at quarterback, the Cowboys have the league’s third-leading receiver, CeeDee Lamb, who has 973 yards. Running back Rico Dowell has given the Dallas offense a boost with back-to-back games 100-plus-yard games on the ground.
“We’ve always loved his run style,” McCarthy said. “He definitely fits the way we’re running the football, particularly the last three games.”
The Cowboys’ defensive front features linebacker Micah Parsons, a nuisance for most opponents as evidenced by his team-high 6.5 sacks.
“He puts himself in different spots,” Canales said. “We just have to be aware of where he’s at. You can’t just tilt your entire game plan, you just have to be aware.”
Last year, Parsons had six tackles, including 2.5 sacks, in Dallas’ 33-10 rout of the Panthers.
Yet the Cowboys will be regrouping at linebacker after losing DeMarvion Overshown to a season-ending knee injury in the Bengals game.
Carolina quarterback Bryce Young threw an interception for the first time in four games last week. Still, his progress is charting in the right direction.
“His competitiveness showing up in these situations,” Canales said. “If he prides himself on one thing, it’s consistency.”
Carolina’s depth could be tested at running back with Raheem Blackshear missing practice on Wednesday due to a chest ailment.
Panthers cornerback Jaycee Horn (groin tightness) likely will be a game-day decision, Canales said.
Dallas center Cooper Beebe, who sustained a concussion on Monday, did not practice on Wednesday.
The Cowboys are 11-3 all-time in regular-season play against Carolina, including a 6-1 mark in Charlotte. However, the Panthers won both of the teams’ playoff matchups, after the 1996 and 2003 seasons.
