The Carolina Panthers came into their Week 6 game as underdogs on home turf against the Dallas Cowboys. Their backs were against the wall despite coming from behind to beat the Miami Dolphins last time out, but that's just the way head coach Dave Canales and his squad like it.
They stayed in the fight. It wasn't perfect all the time, but the Panthers stood up to the challenge. They played to the team's strengths to give quarterback Bryce Young a fighting chance of coming through in the clutch once again. And not for the first time in his career, the signal-caller delivered.
Young, spearheaded by a phenomenal rushing attack, led the Panthers on yet another game-winning drive. Undrafted rookie kicker Ryan Fitzgerald got the chance to ice proceedings on the game's final play, and he duly delivered. The Panthers are now 3-3 in mid-October, which is an unusual feeling for fans who've been more used to doing mock drafts at this time of year.
People are starting to look at the Panthers differently. They are stacking good performances and look much more competitive. With a trip to the lowly New York Jets next up, this represents an exceptional opportunity to get back into the black after years of languishing among the league's bottom feeders.
That's for the not-too-distant future. For now, here are five winners and two losers from Carolina's memorable triumph over Dallas at Bank of America Stadium.
Winners and losers from the Carolina Panthers' statement win over the Cowboys
Winner No. 1
Carolina Panthers offensive line
It was hard to single anyone out, so we'll put them all together. The Carolina Panthers' offensive line, despite being without Robert Hunt and Taylor Moton, delivered another strong performance that was the catalyst for the team's overall offensive success.
They overwhelmed a subpar Cowboys front seven that is still reeling from the team's decision to trade Micah Parsons to the Green Bay Packers. They created huge holes in the run game. Whether it was in the trenches or getting out on pulls, the unit executed wth flawless efficiency.
This was also evident in pass protection. Bryce Young got enough time in the pocket to go through his progressions and make things happen. The group of Ikem Ekwonu, Damien Lewis, Cade Mays, Brady Christensen, and Yosh Nijman set the tone, and everyone followed suit.
It speaks volumes to the preparation, coaching, and professionalism of the players that they can keep dominating games, despite missing some established veterans with Pro Bowl-caliber credentials.
Winner No. 2
Rico Dowdle - Carolina Panthers RB
Rico Dowdle gave his old team a warning. The running back told his ex-teammates to buckle up with revenge on his mind. He made a big statement, and he backed it up with another phenomenal display.
The Carolina Panthers leaned on Dowdle heavily once again with Chuba Hubbard missing the contest. He was brimming with confidence after going over 200 rushing yards against the Miami Dolphins, and the former South Carolina star continued this extraordinary trend by pummeling the team that drafted him.
Dowdle tormented the Dallas Cowboys from start to finish. His explosiveness, physicality, and contact balance were nothing short of superb throughout. There was urgency and aggression in everything he did, and he brought Bank of America Stadium to life.
The free-agent signing eventually finished with 183 rushing yards from 30 carries. Dowdle also led the team in receiving with four catches for 56 yards and a touchdown. His 239 yards from scrimmage were the most in franchise history, which only highlighted his importance to the squad moving forward.
Loser No. 1
Mike Jackson Sr. - Carolina Panthers CB
There were very few who didn't meet expectations in this one. It was arguably the most complete performance of the campaign so far, but the shutout win over the Atlanta Falcons is also in the conversation.
That said, this isn't an afternoon Mike Jackson Sr. will want to dwell on for long. The veteran cornerback was targeted by wide receiver George Pickens as a weak link. And considering defensive coordinator Ejiro Evero has no intention of letting Jaycee Horn shadow the opposition's best receiver, it didn't take long for complications to emerge.
Jackson had a solid season so far, but he had no answer for Pickens. The wideout went wherever the corner ran to pre-snap, and he created separation at will. Things could have been even worse had it not been for a poor Dak Prescott throw in the end zone when the pass-catcher had a step.
Horn even asked Evero to roam with Pickens late in the contest, but it fell on deaf ears. And Jackson suffered more than most.
Winner No. 2
Tommy Tremble - Carolina Panthers TE
The Panthers needed a strong performance from Tommy Tremble in this one. Ja'Tavion Sanders was missing once again through injury, so his teammate in the tight end room had to step up.
He answered the call in no uncertain terms.
Tremble put together one of the most complete efforts since joining the Panthers as a third-round pick in 2021. He provided Bryce Young with a proper outlet in the passing game, bringing in three receptions from four targets for 39 receiving yards. However, it was his contribution as a blocker that became the most eye-catching asset to call upon.
This was Tremble's biggest strength coming out of college. It's come to the fore gradually in the pros, and this was another fine example of his exceptional athleticism, power, and technique in this key discipline.
The former Notre Dame prospect was a brute force, setting the edge and exploding to the second level when Rico Dowdle eventually reached that spot. Tremble's film was a joy to watch for the football purist.
Winner No. 4
Bobby Brown III - Carolina Panthers DL
The Carolina Panthers invested heavily in their defensive front this offseason. Dan Morgan recognized the need to improve the trenches, even with Pro Bowl lineman Derrick Brown returning from a knee injury. Based on the early returns, this strategy is going to pay off handsomely.
Carolina didn't have Tershawn Wharton available again, which gave Bobby Brown III another chance to log starting reps. To say he made the most of them would be a massive understatement.
Brown was initially projected to be the team's starting nose tackle. Those responsibilities have gone to A'Shawn Robinson, but the former Texas A&M standout has carved out a role for himself as a 3-4 end.
This was Brown's best performance since joining the Panthers. He stood his ground against the run, collapsed the pocket with impressive frequency, and made a couple of exceptional stops in key moments.
Ejiro Evero has strength in depth on his defensive line. Brown plays a significant role in it.
Loser No. 2
Chuba Hubbard - Carolina Panthers RB
It was challenging to identify any players whose stock declined after such an outstanding performance. But there is no doubt that one such example didn't even set foot onto the Bank of America Stadium turf.
Chuba Hubbard was ruled out for the second straight game with a calf issue. Dave Canales doesn't think he'll be out much longer, but this allowed Rico Dowdle to take the reins from the No. 1 running back role once again.
Dowdle seized the moment, as previously discussed. The backfield force gained the most all-purpose yards (rushing and receiving) in franchise history as Hubbard watched on. The Oklahoma State product will still have a role to play when he gets involved, but this might alter after recent events.
The Panthers need to implement a legitimate 1-2 punch with Dowdle and Hubbard. Canales didn't commit to anything one way or another after the game, but the dynamic is going to shift after a phenomenal two-game stretch from the free-agent signing.
Winner No. 5
Dave Canales - Carolina Panthers HC
Dave Canales has taken his fair share of heat this season. Speculation that the head coach could be moving to the hot seat was rife in the media following Carolina's lackluster 1-3 start, but the belief has never wavered in the locker room.
The Panthers sensed they were on the cusp of something special under Canales. They are fully bought into his ethos and are coming together collectively as a strong, developing unit. Their victory over the Cowboys in Week 6 was the former Tampa Bay Buccaneers offensive coordinator's most impressive since taking the job.
Carolina has had bigger wins under Canales, but few have mattered more. The Panthers looked well prepared, executed their game plan to perfection, and exploited every Cowboys weakness with ruthless efficiency.
This should cool off the talk of Canales being fired by team owner David Tepper. But in all honesty, that never looked likely.