Cowboys vs. Panthers: Highlights, game tracker for Week 1
By Randy Gurzi
The Dallas Cowboys and Carolina Panthers faced off in Week 1 of the 2018 NFL season at Bank of America Stadium. Highlights and recap of the matchup.
One team looking to get back into the postseason after missing out last season and the other looking for a return trip, the Carolina Panthers hosted the Dallas Cowboys in Week 1 of the 2018 NFL season — and it was a game that could have Wild Card implications later in the year.
Dallas went 9-7 in 2018 and was caught on the outside looking in when the NFC playoffs began. While they had several slip-ups throughout the season, it was the losses to fellow NFC playoff hopefuls — mostly the Atlanta game — that did them in. That’s what makes this one so important for them despite it only being the first game of the year.
In truth, both offenses early on looked like they had a ton of rust that they need to shake off moving forward. The Panthers actually appeared as if they might get something going early, but Dallas forced Christian McCaffrey into a red zone fumble that was recovered by Demarcus Lawrence. Of course, the Cowboys offense — which played little time in the preseason — looked completely out of sorts and couldn’t capitalize.
The home team got on the board first as quarterback Cam Newton drove his team down into the red zone and ran it in himself from four yards out midway through the second quarter. The Panthers would also add a field goal just before halftime to take a 10-0 lead.
Dallas saw their first signs of life on offense in the third quarter, but cutting Dan Bailey with 53-man cuts then reared its head. Brett Maher clanked it off the right upright on a field goal attempt after a solid drive, keeping the Boys down by 10 points. That lead was increased to 16-0 as Carolina scored again, but botched the extra point.
The Cowboys then tried to make things interesting as Ezekiel Elliott and Dak Prescott both seemed to get things going properly. They did so to the tune of a long drive that resulted in a touchdown run for Elliott and a successful two-point conversion run for the quarterback.
Unfortunately, that was all the offense had. They got a stop, but then turned the ball over on downs when they got the ball back. After another defensive stand, they then came up with nothing of substance as a sack-fumble that was recovered by Carolina sealed the win over the Cowboys for the Panthers.
Highlights
Cam Newton finally got the scoring going in this one midway through the second quarter as he kept it and ran it into the end zone with ease.
With both offenses truly needing to find some sort of rhythm, Dallas finally go the running game going as Elliott scampered into the end zone and Prescott followed with a two-point conversion.
Regardless of what happens in Week 1, it’s a long season ahead for both the Cowboys and Panthers. If things go well for both teams, each should have a chance at getting into the postseason.