Panthers coach Dave Canales acknowledged the streak but joked about not focusing on his team’s odds.
“Vegas is pretty sharp with the odds,” Canales said with a laugh.
“I don’t like looking at the spread or any of that,” the first-year Carolina head coach explained.
“I prefer to keep the focus on us and what our next steps are. Those external factors don’t help, so I avoid using them to motivate the team.”
After opening the season with two losses by a combined 60 points, Carolina has been more competitive since Bryce Young’s return, covering the spread in its last five games.
For the first time in nearly two years, the Carolina Panthers are favored to win as they host the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday.
Despite their 3-10 record, oddsmakers at BetMGM Sportsbook have made Carolina a 3-point favorite over the 5-8 Cowboys, breaking a 33-game streak as underdogs — the NFL’s sixth-longest since the 1970 merger.
Still, being the favorite doesn’t guarantee a victory.
The last time Carolina was favored, on Dec. 18, 2022, they lost 24-16 to the Steelers.
“It doesn’t mean anything for Sunday,” Young said of his first NFL game as the favorite. “The score always starts at 0-0.”
miscue Amani Oruwariye defended his decision to chase a bouncing ball after Nick Vigil’s blocked punt seemed to give Dallas a late chance to beat Cincinnati in Monday’s 27-20 loss.
Oruwariye touched the ball, giving Cincinnati possession near the Cowboys’ 40-yard line instead of leaving it alone. The Bengals capitalized with a go-ahead touchdown three plays later.
“I turned and reacted instinctively when I saw the ball,” Oruwariye said. “I felt it was the right move in the moment, and I stand by that.”
The sixth-year pro admitted after the play that he underestimated its impact, as the loss effectively ended Dallas’ playoff hopes.
“The ball came up on me quickly,” he explained. “I wish I had secured it—or just left it alone.
But it played out the way it did. That’s football, and that’s life. You’ve got to learn from it and move forward.”
On Carolina’s side, a missed opportunity by Xavier Legette may have cost the team a win Sunday in Philadelphia.
Down 22-16, Bryce Young led the Panthers downfield and appeared to hit Legette for a 32-yard touchdown, but the ball briefly touched the ground, and the rookie receiver couldn’t secure it. Carolina eventually turned the ball over on downs.
Legette admitted afterward that he needed to make the catch. Offensive coordinator Dave Canales called it a learning moment and expressed full confidence in Legette’s future.
“These are all experiences we take, learn, and grow from,” Canales said.
“I truly believe we’ll face high-stakes games against great teams and players. To become the team we want to be, we’ll have to make those plays.”
Rico Dowdle is solidifying his role as Dallas’ lead back, recording back-to-back 100-yard games for the first time in his career.
This surge has come despite instability on the offensive line, including losing seven-time All-Pro right guard Zack Martin to an ankle injury.
Martin opted for season-ending surgery after missing two games, and his replacement, Brock Hoffman, moved to center after rookie Cooper Beebe suffered a concussion Monday night. T.J. Bass stepped in at right guard.
Through the changes, Dowdle has thrived. His 131 yards against the Bengals included a 7.3-yard average on 18 carries—the best per-carry mark for a Dallas back with 15 or more carries since Ezekiel Elliott in 2018.
“I think he fits our style of running lately,” coach Mike McCarthy said. “It starts with the runner, but credit also goes to the guys up front getting it done.”
Over the last two games, 34-year-old Adam Thielen has become Carolina’s top receiving target, catching 17 of 21 passes for 201 yards and a touchdown.
Thielen, who previously missed time with a hamstring injury, has reestablished himself as Young’s go-to option.
His increased involvement has come with rookie Jalen Coker sidelined the past three games due to a quad injury, though Coker is expected to return Sunday.
Last season in Charlotte, the Cowboys turned the Panthers’ home game into their own, with at least 75% of the crowd cheering for Dallas.
Fans were vocal during Carolina possessions and stayed after the game to celebrate a Dallas win.
Canales, aware of last year’s scene, said the Panthers have increased crowd noise in practice to prepare for a similar situation.
