BLUE 1,026 Posted November 25, 2015 By JEFF MEZYDLO STATS Senior Writer (AP) -- The return of Tony Romo has injected life into the Dallas Cowboys and taken some attention off teammate Greg Hardy heading into the defensive end's Thanksgiving Day reunion with his former team. Whether the Cowboys are good enough to get the best of Cam Newton or handle a daunting Carolina Panthers defense remains to be seen. Looking to build on their first win in two months, the Cowboys try to continue their series dominance by handing the visiting Panthers their first defeat Thursday. After missing seven games with a broken collarbone, Romo went 18 of 28 for 227 yards with two touchdowns and two interceptions to help Dallas (3-7) snap a seven-game slide with Sunday's 24-14 win at Miami. Though Romo wasn't spectacular against the underachieving Dolphins, his presence has revived a team whose season was going nowhere fast. "We're excited to have him back," tight end Jason Witten said. "He brings great energy. He's the leader of our team." The Cowboys are undefeated this season with the 35-year-old Romo, who showed the poise and confidence that was missing from either Brandon Weeden or Matt Cassel. Dallas is still tied for the worst record in the NFC, but is two games back of the first-place New York Giants in the East. "I just feel like we had one of our best players back in Romo," safety Barry Church said "That had a heck of a lot of difference." Dallas totaled 386 yards Sunday after averaging 322 over the previous seven games, and Darren McFadden ran for 129 of the Cowboys' 166. However, it came against a Miami unit that ranks near the bottom of the league in total defense. "It feels good. At the same time we have to work," said receiver Dez Bryant, who caught his 50th touchdown pass from Romo to break the franchise mark for a tandem set by Troy Aikman and Michael Irvin. "Nobody is going to be jumping for joy around here." Because the challenge gets significantly tougher against Carolina (10-0), one of the NFL two unbeaten teams. Though the Panthers have dropped their last nine regular-season meetings with the Cowboys, including four straight at Dallas, they haven't met since 2012. Dealing with back issues on a short week last season, Romo threw two INTs and was sacked four times in a 33-10 Thanksgiving loss to Philadelphia. "He's a lot further away from the injury, the back injury, so we do think he's going to be more able to handle the consecutive days in the short week," Cowboys coach Jason Garrett said. Perhaps, but Romo is facing a Panthers unit that ranks fourth in total defense (322.8 yards per game), is tied for fifth in scoring defense (19.1 points per game), tied for third in sacks (31) and first in takeaways (25). In Sunday's 44-16 rout of Washington, Carolina forced five turnovers that led to 27 points, recorded five sacks and set a franchise record by yielding 14 rushing yards on 12 carries. The Panthers should get more of a boost with defensive end Charles Johnson eligible to return after missing the last eight weeks while on short-term injured reserve with a hamstring injury. Johnson, who has one sack in three games, averaged 10 1/2 over the previous five seasons. "C.J. is one of the most fierce, respected all-down lineman in this league," teammate Kony Ealy said. "When he comes back he is going to open up even more for us." The Panthers possess a formidable defense even without Hardy, who blossomed into one of the NFL's top pass rushers while spending his first five seasons in Carolina. He was placed on the Commissioner's exempt list for his arrest on domestic violence charges and played only one game last season for the Panthers, who opted not to re-sign him. Hardy inked a one-year deal with Dallas in March, and has recorded a team-leading 4 1/5 sacks in six contests after serving a four-game suspension for violating the NFL's personal conduct policy. He's naturally downplaying the personal significance of this contest. "It's just a nameless, faceless opponent," Hardy said. "On to the next game. "I just keep it that way. We've got a great group of guys in here. We're just focused on the next game. It's the most important game on the schedule." Hardy and a Dallas defense that's held three of its last four opponents to 14 or fewer points, will try to cool off Newton during what could be an MVP season. Though the fifth-year quarterback is completing a career-low 56.9 percent of his passes, he's thrown 20 TDs and ran for six while posting a personal-best 90.1 passer rating. He hasn't thrown an interception in the last two games and Sunday tossed five TDs to help Carolina extend its regular-season winning streak to 14 games. "What more can you say - the guy's been playing at a very elite level right now," said Panthers tight end Greg Olsen, who has caught half of his six TD passes in the last four games. "Playing the quarterback position, there's no other quarterback that's asked to do what he has to do, both run and pass. He's playing as good a ball as there is in the league right now." In Newton's only game against Dallas, he went 21 of 37 for 233 yards with an INT and ran for 64 in the 19-14 loss on Oct. 21. 2012. Carolina will be without backup defensive end Wes Horton, who was suspended four games for violating the NFL policy on performance-enhancing substances. Source: Hosted.Stats.com Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Vin+ 3,121 Posted November 25, 2015 I feel like the Cowboys get a win here. Dunno why. Just feels right. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BwareDWare94 723 Posted November 25, 2015 Dallas has a chance if they weather the initial storm, and so far they've done that against every team they've played, even New England. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Vin+ 3,121 Posted November 26, 2015 Panthers coach Ron Rivera said Charles Johnson will start at left end Thanksgiving Day against the Cowboys. Jared Allen will retain his spot at right end, meaning surging sophomore Kony Ealy will head to the bench. With Johnson expected to play limited snaps in his first game since Week 3, Ealy will see plenty of snaps against Dallas, but getting all three ends involved could become an issue as Johnson gets healthy. Source: panthers.com Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Thanatos 2,847 Posted November 26, 2015 It should be Ealy/CJ with Allen rotating in. Do not agree with this decision. Hopefully when Ealy comes in he plays so well that they are forced to start him. Love everyone saying Dallas will beat us, and love being underdogs to a 3-7 team. Just more material for this team to use. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Vin+ 3,121 Posted November 26, 2015 Cowboys declared RCB Morris Claiborne, WR Brice Butler, RB Trey Williams, LB Mark Nzeocha, OG Ronald Leary, TE Geoff Swaim and DE Ryan Russell inactive for Week 12 against the Panthers. Claiborne's absence means another start for rookie DB Byron Jones, who has been an asset this season, but was exposed a bit on the boundary against the Dolphins in Week 11. He'll be tested early and often by Cam Newton. Panthers WR Corey Brown (shoulder) is inactive for Week 12 against the Cowboys. Brown is week to week. His absence gives Devin Funchess another chance to showcase his wares. Also inactive for the Panthers are CB Peanut Tillman, RB Cameron Artis-Payne, RB Brandon Wegher, LS Danny Aiken, WR Kevin Norwood and DE Ryan Delaire. Tillman's absence extended snaps for Bene Benwikere and Colin Jones. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Piggly Wiggly 960 Posted November 26, 2015 I'm rolling with the Cowboys ML today. 24-20, Dallas. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Thanatos 2,847 Posted November 26, 2015 What was the final line on it Phil? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BwareDWare94 723 Posted November 26, 2015 (edited) Kurt Coleman was a cut for the Vikings, and I don't even think he made it to final cuts. Not sure how Carolina has a shitty safety making plays but more power to them. This Dallas OL is flat out bad some weeks. They need to be able to run the ball. Edited November 26, 2015 by BwareDWare94 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Thanatos 2,847 Posted November 26, 2015 Kurt Coleman is being used properly. Just like Ted Ginn. Our WRs coaching staff is one of the best in the business, just like our secondaries coach. Also: LUUUUUKKKEEEE. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
FartWaffles 1,857 Posted November 26, 2015 Kuechly with more receptions than Dez Bryant. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BwareDWare94 723 Posted November 26, 2015 Tony Romo is falling into that trap where he feels like he has to do everything because nobody else but McFadden has shown up. What a pathetic effort by this offense. Truly sad. The defense is playing its butt off but it sucks. 5 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Piggly Wiggly 960 Posted November 26, 2015 (edited) Tony Romo is falling into that trap where he feels like he has to do everything because nobody else but McFadden has shown up. What a pathetic effort by this offense. Truly sad. The defense is playing its butt off but it sucks. Shut the fuck up, Bware lmao. He put his team behind the eight ball by throwing a pick 6 on like the 3rd fucking play of the game. And all of his picks have come from utterly dog shit throws, not unlucky tips. But sure, let's defend Romo and feel sorry for him. Edited November 26, 2015 by Piggly Wiggly 5 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BwareDWare94 723 Posted November 26, 2015 Shut the fuck up, Bware lmao. He put his team behind the eight ball by throwing a pick 6 on like the 3rd fucking play of the game. And all of his picks have come from utterly dog shit throws, not unlucky tips. But sure, let's defend Romo and feel sorry for him. All these years and you still can't read... 4 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Piggly Wiggly 960 Posted November 26, 2015 All these years and you still can't read... Your bias and affinity towards Tony Romo is pretty easy to read. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RazorStar 4,025 Posted November 26, 2015 Just like Romo's passes today. 8 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Sarge+ 3,436 Posted November 26, 2015 Your bias and affinity towards Tony Romo is pretty easy to read. Just like Romo's passes today. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Bay 2,003 Posted November 27, 2015 Cowboys are back! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
