Cowboys 27-20 Panthers, summary: score, stats, highlights | NFL Week 6

Panthers stay perfect at home, edge Cowboys 30–27 in Charlotte

The Carolina Panthers continued their home dominance with a thrilling 30–27 win over the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday, improving to 3–0 at Bank of America Stadium and 3–3 overall. This marks the first time the Panthers have beat the Cowboys in their last four meetings. 

The Cowboys, on the other hand fall below .500 with a record of 2-3-1. 

Game Summary

It has to be a close game with Dallas' defense. They showed some signs of life against the Jets in Week 5, but that had more to do with the Jets being awful than the Cowboys D actually improving. They didn't force a 3 and out on Carolina until well into the 4th quarter, and the game ended up being an offensive shootout as the rest of Dallas' games have been (with the exception of the winless Jets). 

Dallas safety Donovan Wilson recorded an interception, but the Cowboys struggled to slow Carolina’s ground game. The Panthers’ front, meanwhile, limited the Cowboys to just 1.6 yards per rush and kept consistent pressure all afternoon despite not recording a sack.

Panthers quarterback Bryce Young delivered one of his best performances of the season, throwing for 199 yards and three touchdowns with one interceptionon 17-of-25 passing. The 2023 No. 1 pick led a balanced Panthers offense that racked up 216 rushing yards, with Rico Dowdle once again starring against his former team. Dowdle carried the ball 30 times for 183 yards and added 56 receiving yards and a touchdown through the air, powering Carolina’s attack.

Dallas quarterback Dak Prescott was sharp despite the loss, completing 25 of 34 passes for 261 yards and three touchdowns, all without a turnover. George Pickens was his top target, posting nine catches for 168 yards and a 45-yard touchdown, while Jake Ferguson and Hunter Luepke each added scores. However, the Cowboys’ run game was completely stifled, managing just 31 yards on 19 carries.

Carolina kicker Ryan Fitzgerald was perfect, hitting all three field goals, including a long of 55 yards, and his 12 points proved crucial in the close finish. For Dallas, Brandon Aubrey also stayed perfect with two field goals and three extra points.

Next up

In Week 7, the Panthers will face the 0-5 New York Jets at MetLife Stadium on Sunday, October 19 with a 1 p.m. ET kickoff.

The Cowboys host a divisional matchup against the Washington Commanders on Sunday, October 19 starting at 4:25 p.m. ET.

Fitzgerald with the game-winner for Carolina!

GAME OVER - Panthers upset Cowboys

The Panthers ran the clock down to 3 seconds to kick the field goal and Fitzgerald made the 33-yard try to win the game in Carolina. 

PANTHERS FIELD GOAL FOR THE WIN!

Panthers take final timeout

Young takes another knee, time keeps ticking....

Young takes a knee, burning down the clock

Etienne pushes forward 11 yards - 1st down at the Cowboys 12

Dallas takes final timeout

Etienne picks up 1 yard for the 1st down 

Cowboys take second timeout

Dowdle takes it up 9 yards - 2nd and 1

TWO-MINUTE WARNING

With 2 minutes left in the game, the Cowboys and Panthers are tied 27-27 but the Panthers have the ball in Cowboys territory, 1st down at the 33.

Young pass COMPLETE to Renfrow for 7 yards - 1st down

Panthers are going for it...

Young pass incomplete to McMillan - 4th and 3

Dowdle picks up 3 yards - 3rd and 3

Dowdle picks up 4 yards - 2nd and 6

Young pass to Tremble for 16 yards - 1st down to the Cowboys 46

Horn picks up 2 yards - 3rd and 1

Dowdle picks up 7 yards - 2nd and 3

Pass Interference on Cowboys' Elam - automatic 1st down for Carolina

Young pass incomplete - 4th and 8, but there's a flag....

Young pass incomplete under pressure - 3rd and 8

Dowdle gains 2 yards - 2nd and 8

Anger punts it to the 14, fair catch made by Renfrow

Prescott pass to Luepke for 4 yards - not quite enough, 4th and 18

Prescott pass complete to Williams but Wallace takes him back for another loss of 7 yards- 3rd and 22

Williams took it but Moehrig took him back for a loss of 5 - 2nd and 15

Martin punts to the Cowboys 37 and Moreno-Cropper takes it 9 yards to the 46

Young pass incomplete under pressure from Wilson - 4th and 12

False Start on Panthers' Dowdle - 3rd and 12

Panthers take second timeout

Young pass incomplete 

Illegal Formation on Panthers' Legette - declined, 3rd and 7

Dowdle gains 3 - 2nd and 7

Aubrey kicks to the Panthers 7 and Etienne takes it up 11 yards to the 18

The Cowboys couldn't get into the end zone, but Aubrey made the 28-yard field goal to even the game again with 9:20 left to play.

COWBOYS FIELD GOAL!!

Prescott pass incomplete to Williams, taken down by Wallace - 4th and goal

Prescott pass to Pickens is incomplete - 3rd and goal

Prescott FUMBLED and recovered it at the Panthers 9 - 2nd and goal

Prescott pass complete to Ferguson for 10 yards and the 1st down at the Panthers 8

Prescott scrambled away and threw the ball to Schoonmaker in the end zone but he couldn't hang onto it - incomplete, 3rd and 8 

Williams picks up 2 yards - 2nd and 8

Pickens made the catch and then took off for 45 yards to the Panthers 20

Prescott pass incomplete to Williams - 3rd and 5

Williams took it up 5 yards - 2nd and 5

Fitzgerald kicked to the Cowboys 9 and Moreno-Cropper took it 21 yards to the 30

McMillan TD #2

The rookie leading WR had to wait until Week 6 to get his first career TD, but he's making up for lost time, getting his second TD in the 4th quarter to put Carolina back in the lead.

Young passed it 2 yards to McMillan for his SECOND touchdown of the game after having none in the previous five games. Fitzgerald's PAT is good and the Panthers take back the lead with12:20 to go in the game.

Etienne takes it up 5 yards - 1st and goal at the 2

Cowboys take first timeout

Dowdle picks up 3 - 3rd and 3

Dowdle takes it up 4 yards - 2nd and 6

Dowdle again for another 15 yards and the 1st down

Dowdle has over 150 yards in this game against Dallas

END 3RD QUARTER

That takes us to the end of the 3rd quarter. The Cowboys are up by 4, but the Panthers are making their way down the field with the ball at 2nd and 3 at the Cowboys 29.

Dowdle picks up 7 yards - 2nd and 3

Dowdle pushes through for 4 yards and the 1st down yet again

Dowdle runs it 7 yards - 2nd and 3

Horn takes it up 11 yards - 1st down

Panthers take first timeout

Dowdle runs it 7 yards - 2nd and 3

Aubrey kicks to the end zone - touchback to Panthers 35

Pickens with the TD for Dallas

Prescott made the deep pass to Pickens and he took off into the end zone for the 34-yard touchdown. Aubrey's PAT was good and the Cowboys steal back the lead with 2:38 left in the 3rd quarter.

Prescott pass to Pickens complete for 8 yards - 3rd and 2

Prescott pass incomplete to Flournoy - 2nd and 10

Prescott pass deep to Pickens incomplete, but Panthers are called for Personal Foul - Rozeboom for Roughing the Passer - 15 yards, 1st down at the Panthers 42

Williams taken back by Brown and Umanmielen for a loss of 2 - 3rd and 5

Prescott to Pickens for 7 yards - 2nd and 3

Prescott to Flournoy for 11 yards - 1st down

Martin punts to the Cowboys 17 and Moreno-Cropper MUFFS the catch but recovers it in the same spot, takes it up 10 yards to the 27.

Young pass to Tremble for 10 yards - 4th and 10

Young throws it away under pressure - 3rd and 20

False Start on Panthers' Chritensen - 2nd and 20

Young SACKED by Liafau for a loss of 5 yards - 2nd and 15

Dowdle runs it 6 yards - 1st down

Offsides on Cowboys' Toia - 5 yards, automatic 1st down

Dowdle pushes through for a gain of 9 yards - 1st down

Dowdle picks up 6 yards - 2nd and 4

Personal Foul on Panthers Ranson - Illegal Blindside Block - 7 yards

Anger punts to the 15and Renfrow is tackled by Clark right away 

Delay of Game after Dallas tried to draw Panthers offsides - 4th and 6 and they'll punt

Williams stopped by Brown and Horn for a loss of a yard - 4th and 2

Pickens pass to Tolbert caught for 8 yards - 3rd and 1

Williams gains just a yard - 2nd and 9

Williams takes it up 2 for the 1st down

Prescott pass complete to Williams for 8 yards - 2nd and 8

Fitzgerald kicks to landing zone to end zone - touchback to Cowboys 20

Rico Dowdle's revenge

Dowdle's 36-yard TD puts Carolina on top to start the 3rd quarter.

The Panthers take back the lead on a revenge touchdown by former Cowboy running back Rico Dowdle on a 36-yard touchdown pass. Fitzgerald's PAT is good and the Panthers are up by 3 with 13:19 still to go in the 3rd quarter.

Dowdle gained 7 for the 1st down

Cowboys' Williams was called for Offsides - declined

Dowdle gains 3 - 2nd and 7

Young pass deep to Horn and it's CAUGHT for 34 YARDS!

WE'RE BACK!

Aubrey kicks to landing zone to end zone - Touchback to Panthers 20

HALFTIME

Fitzgerald kicked to the landing zone for the touchback to the 35 

Prescott takes the knee to end the fitst half

The Cowboys are in the lead 117-13 over Carolina. The Panthers will be on offense to start the second half.

Fitzgerald made the 55-yard field goal to make it a 5-point game with 20 seconds left in the first half.

PANTHERS FIELD GOAL!

Cowboys take final timeout

Young pass complete to Tremble for 8 yards to the 37 - 4th and 10

Cowboys take second timeout to put 10 seconds BACK on the clock

Panthers elect to take the 10-second runoff

Young pass caught by Legette and he tossed a lateral pass to Dowdle, but Dowdle FUMBLED it, punched out by Ezeiruaku and recovered by Panthers' Legette - 3rd and 18 at the Cowboys 46

Panthers take 1st timeout

Dowdle taken down by Williams after a yard - 2nd and 9

Dowdle runs it up 4 yards - 1st down

Dowdle takes it up 9 yards - 2nd and 1

Dowdle takes it up 4 yards for the 1st half - 1st down

Young pass to Tremble for 6 yards - 2nd and 4

Young pass incomplete, but Cowboys' Steward was called for Holding - 5 yards, automatic 1st down

Dowdle takes it up 2 yards - 2nd and 8

Aubrey kicks to the Panthers 6 and Dallas takes it up 28 yards to the 34

Ferguson with the TD to put Dallas in the lead

Pickens UNFAZED

After Schotty went for it on 4th and 4, the Cowboys made it into the red zone after Pickens made the 12-yard catch. Prescott made the 19-yard touchdown pass to Ferguson in the end zone. Aubrey's PAT was good and the Cowboys take back the lead with 3:39 left in the first half. 

Prescott faked it to Williams, tossed it to Flournoy, who picked up 3 yards - 2nd and 7

Holding on Panthers' Jackson - declined

Prescott pass complete to Pickens for 12 yards but there's a flag on the play...

Cowboys are going for it on 4th and 4....

Cowboys take first timeout

Prescott pass incomplete to Pickens, covered by Jackson - 4th and 4 at the 30

Prescott pass complete to Schoonmaker for 8 yards - 3rd and 4

Blue taken back 2 yards by Jackson - 2nd and 12

Prescott pass complete to Pickens for 12 yards - 1st down at the Panthers 36

Williams swallowed up by Brown for a loss of 1 yard, 3rd and 5

Prescott pass complete to Flournoy for 6 yards - 2nd and 4

Prescott pass to Ferguson incomplete, broken up by Horn, but he's called for Pass Interference - automatic 1st down 

Prescott pass complete to Williams for 4 yards - 3rd and 11

False Start on Williams - 5 yards, 2nd and 15

Blue gets nowhere, stopped by Umanmielen - 2nd and 10

Prescott pass to Pickens complete for 11 yards - 1st down

Blue runs it up 2 yards - 2nd and 8

Fitzgerald kicked to the Cowboys 8 and Blue took it up 15 yards to the 23

McMillan's first career TD tied up the game

Young made the pass to wide-open McMillan for the rookie's first touchdown of his career on a 19-yard catch. Fitzgerald's PAT was good to tie up the game with 11:29 left in the 2nd quarter.

Dowdle takes it again, but Wilson stops him after a yard - 2nd and 9

Dowdle takes it up 12 yards - 1st down at the 20

Young pass to Legette and he takes it up 15yards - 1st down at the Cowboys 32

Medical timeout for Cowboys' Shemar James

Dowdle takes it AGAIN, for a gain of 7 yards - 2nd and 3

Dowdle pushes through 11 yards - 1st down

Aubrey kicks to the end zone - touchback to the Panthers 35

Luepke with the TD to put Dallas ahead

At 4th and 1, Prescott made the pass to Luepke in the end zone for his first career touchdown for 3 yards. Cowboys take the lead 10-3 after Aubrey's extra point, 4 seconds into the 2nd quarter.

Donovan Wilson with the INTERCEPTION on Bryce Young

END FIRST QUARTER

Dallas let the clock run down before the play and it'll be 4th and 1 at the 3-yard line when we start the 2nd quarter. Tie game, 3-3.

Prescott pass to Ferguson complete for 4 yards, juuuuust short of the goal - Cowboys go for it on 4th and 1

Williams takes it up 6 yards - 3rd and 5

False Start on Cowboys' Smith - 5 yards, 2nd and 11

Prescott pass to Williams for 4 yards - 2nd and 6 at the 8

Young pass INTERCEPTED by Wilson and he picked it up and ran it 21 yards to the 25.

Dowdle was called for Unnecessary Roughness - 13 yards, 1st down at the Panthers 12

Young pass complete to McMillan for 8 yards - 1st down

Young pass incomplete, but the Panthers are called for Ineligible Downfield Pass on Samac, declined - 3rd and 8

Dowdle takes it again but 2 yards, stopped by Thomas - 2nd and 8

Dowdle gains 3 yards for the 1st down

Young scrambles away for 8 yards - 2nd and 2

Aubrey kicks to the landing zone, goes into the end zone - Touchback to the Panthers 20

Pickens with the hurdle!

The Cowboys and Panthers traded field goals to start the game. Pickens made an impressive 31-yard run to get into the red zone, but they couldn't get into the end zone either. Aubrey made the 23-yard field goal to tie up the game with 4:48 to go in the 1st quarter.

COWBOYS FIELD GOAL!

Prescott escaped pressure and passed to Flournoy, but it was broken up by Scott - 4th and goal

Prescott pass incomplete to Williams under pressure from Moehrig - 3rd and goal

Williams gains 3 yards to the 5 - 2nd and goal

Holding on Panthers' Horn - declined

Prescott pass caught by Pickens in the air and he leapt over several defenders for 31 yards all the way to the Panthers 8 - 1st and goal

Williams runs up the middle for 5 yards - 2nd and 5 at the Panthers 39

Prescott pass to Flournoy caught for 13yards - 1st down

Prescott pass to Pickens complete for 12 yards - 1st down

Williams swallowed up by Robinson - no gain, 3rd and 6

Williams runs it up 4 yards - 2nd and 6

Fitzgerald kicks to the Cowboys 10 and Moreno-Cropper takes it to the 27

Panthers made it downfield with several big-yard gains by former Cowboy Rico Dowdle, but the defense stopped them short of the end zone. Fitzgerald made the 31-yars field goal to give the Panthers the lead with 9:08 left in the 1st quarter.

PANTHERS FIELD GOAL!

Dallas up the middle for no gain, stopped by Steward - 4th and 2

Young pass incomplete, pressure by Ezeiruaku - 3rd and 2

Dowdle takes it up another 8 yards - 2nd and 2

Dowdle on a roll

Dowdle takes it again for another 13-yard gain - 1st down

Dowdle runs it up 12 yards - 1st down at the Cowboys 34

Young pass complete to Evans for 21 yards - 1st down at the Cowboys 46

Dowdle runs it up 9 yards already looking for revenge - 2nd and 1

Anger punts to the 24, downed by Clark

Cowboys 3 and out to start the game

Prescott pass incomplete, batted down by Robinson - 4th down

Williams runs it up 4 yards - 3rd and 5

Prescott pass complete to Spann-Ford for 2 yards - 2nd and 8

Fitzgerald kicked to the Dallas 1 and Blue ran ran it to the 26

GAME TIME!

Panthers have won the toss and elected to defer. Cowboys start us on offense. Here we go!

Will Bryce Young prove himself?

Panthers quarterback Bryce Young was the first overall pick in 2023, and now in his third season, he's finally showing some flashes of growth, including a game-winning drive against the Dolphins last week.

However, he still ranks near the bottom of the league in several passing metrics, including a 79.9 passer rating, which sits 27th in the NFL. Young also tends to avoid pushing the ball downfield, as Carolina ranks 30th in average yards per completion at just 5.19. He's got work to do with the high expectations that come with a No. 1 pick.

Panthers vs Cowboys weather report

We are expecting to experience some light rain on and off throughout the game today with temperatures in the mid-high 60s and winds around 17 mph. The weather isn't expected to impact the game too much, but the strong winds could affect longer field goals and deep throws.

Cowboys' new star RB

While the Panthers gained Dowdle, who had an explosive week last week, the Cowboys have a star of their own in the backfield.

The Cowboys are leading the league in overall yards per game (406) and that's mostly thanks to running back Javonte Williams. Williams is third in the NFL with 447 yards and is averaging 5.7 yards per carry. 

Cowboys

Dak Prescott is leading the NFL in this stat, and it’s not even close

Prescott's hot streak just keeps getting hotter.

Cowboys on a win streak vs Panthers

Despite not being in the same division, the Cowboys and Panthers are facing each other for the third year in a row, due to an unusual scheduling quirk. Typically teams in different divisions only play each other once every four years.

And the Cowboys are on a streak against the Panthers, having won in their last three meetings. They'll look to keep that streak alive today in Charlotte, and ruin Carolina's home-win streak. Currently, the Panthers are 2-0 at home and 0-3 on the road.

Cowboys @ Panthers INJURY REPORT

Carolina Panthers Injury Report

The Panthers will be missing three offensive starters - running back Chuba Hubbard (calf), right tackle Taylor Moton (elbow), and tight end Ja’Tavion Sanders (ankle) - and one defensive starter, defensive tackle Tershawn Wharton (toe) vs the Cowboys. 

The Panthers added depth by activating offensive lineman Brandon Walton and cornerback Keion Crossen from the practice squad, marking Walton’s third and final elevation of the season.

Panthers INACTIVES vs Cowboys

TE Ja'Tavion Sanders
CB Akayleb Evans
RB Chuba Hubbard
S Trevian Thomas
RT Taylor Moton
DT Jaden Crumedy
DT Tershawn Wharton

Dallas Cowboys Injury Report

The Cowboys will be missing four starters vs Panthers: star wide receiver CeeDee Lamb, All-Pro return specialist KaVontae Turpin, starting guard Tyler Booker, and middle linebacker Jack Sanborn. Additionally, first-round pick Mazi Smith will be inactive, raising questions about his future with the team. Running back Miles Sanders is on IR and is expected to undergo season-ending surgery after suffering a knee and ankle injury last week.

Cowboys INACTIVES vs Panthers

WR CeeDee Lamb 
WR KaVontae Turpin 
OG Tyler Booker 
LB Jack Sanborn 
OT Ajani Cornelius
DT Mazi Smith

Tetairoa McMillan in the hunt for a TD

The Cowboys offense isn't the problem in Dallas. They rank among the NFL’s top-scoring teams, averaging 30.2 points per game, with 40, 37, and 40 points against the Giants, Jets, and Packers, but inconsistency in losses to the Eagles and Bears.

For the Carolina Panthers, rookie Tetairoa McMillan has emerged as the clear top target, leading the team with 24 receptions and 351 yards, though he’s still searching for his first touchdown, something that could come against a Cowboys defense that has allowed 12 passing touchdowns in five games.

Panthers to debut brand new uniform vs Cowboys

The Carolina Panthers will debut a new uniform combination Sunday against the Dallas Cowboys, wearing black helmets with blue jerseys, blue pants, and blue socks for the first time in team history. The look, dubbed the “Black and Blue debut,” was revealed in a team video that drew enthusiastic reactions from fans online. Carolina is 2-0 at home this season, including a 30–0 win over Atlanta in their last black-helmet, blue-jersey appearance, and enters the matchup 2-3 overall following a comeback victory over Miami.

NFL

Rico Dowdle’s warning to Cowboys gets a quick response from Schottenheimer

Dallas' new head coach Brian Schottenheimer fired back a quick response at Dowdle's warning to his former team.

Revenge game?

The. Cowboys' "revenge game" this season was supposed to be the Green Bay game a few weeks ago when they faced defensive end Micah Parsons. But when they take on Carolina today, they'll be facing another player they let go - running back Rico Dowdle, who may be looking for vengeance of his own,

Dowdle has emerged as the team’s lead rusher and is coming off a career-best performance - 206 yards and a touchdown on 12 carries - which earned him NFC Offensive Player of the Week honors. Dowdle, who became the first undrafted player in Cowboys history to rush for over 1,000 yards in 2024, signed a one-year, $2.75 million deal with the Panthers this offseason. With Chuba Hubbard sidelined, Dowdle will carry the load against his former team, and has warned his old teammates to “buckle up.”

Cowboys' offense on fire

Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott enters Week 6 leading the NFL in pass attempts (195), completions (139), and completions of 25-plus yards (14), a dangerous combo for a Panthers defense generating the league’s lowest pressure rate (25.6%). Dallas expects offensive linemen Tyler Guyton and Tyler Smith back from injury, strengthening protection for Prescott.

Receiver George Pickens is off to a strong start with five touchdowns in five games (tied for second-most in the NFL) and will face Panthers corner Jaycee Horn with CeeDee Lamb sidelined (ankle). Pickens said he’s focused on “one day at a time” and credited Dak Prescott and the young offensive line for his early success.

Defensively, Dallas aims to continue its dominance over Panthers QB Bryce Young, whom they’ve beaten twice in as many years by a combined score of 64–24. Young has thrown for under 200 yards in four of five games this season, though Schottenheimer noted the young quarterback looks “more comfortable” under new head coach Dave Canales.

The Cowboys’ defense, coming off a five-sack game against the Jets, will try to capitalize on the absence of Panthers right tackle Taylor Moton (elbow). Defensive tackle Osa Odighizuwa said the focus will be on keeping a “low target” when tackling the elusive Young.

Good afternoon and welcome to our LIVE coverage of the Dallas Cowboys @ Carolina Panthers game! 

The Cowboys will look to climb above .500, while Carolina aims to even its record at 3–3. The Panthers have been consistent at home (2–0) but winless on the road (0–3). With Dallas boasting the league’s top-ranked offense and Bryce Young struggling early in games, the matchup could prove challenging for Carolina.

Kickoff is at 1 p.m. ET from Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, NC, and we will be here bringing you the latest updates, stats, scores, and highlights starting from an hour before game time all the way to the final whistle,