Postgame analysis: Cowboys 19, Panthers 14

The Cowboys got a road win to help turn around a sluggish start to the season. The Panthers still have no answers after another close loss.

By Shawn Krest

Oct 21, 2012 at 5:09 pm ET • 3 min read

The Panthers and Cowboys needed a win to help turn around disappointing starts to their seasons. Dan Bailey kicked two field goals in the final 3:30 to give the Cowboys (3-3) a 19-14 win in Charlotte, N.C.

QB Cam Newton passed for 233 yards, but the Panthers’ offense continued its sporadic output. Carolina (1-5) was held to eight three-and-outs, and the offense was plagued by dropped passes and penalties. Newton told the media he’d bring in a suggestion box because he’s out of answers on how to turn things around.

When the game turned: Trailing 3-0, Newton led the Panthers on a 12-play drive that consumed 6:42 of the second quarter. On second-and-goal from the 6, he was hit by NT Josh Brent as he threw. The pass fell short of WR Louis Murphy, and CB Morris Claiborne intercepted it in the end zone.

Highlight moments: Trailing 7-3 in the third quarter, Cowboys QB Tony Romo faced third-and-9 from the Dallas 38. Panthers S Charles Godfrey blitzed, and Romo threw to WR Miles Austin, who was headed for the spot that Godfrey had just vacated. The play went for 36 yards and set up a 26-yard Romo-to-Austin touchdown on the next play. … Facing fourth-and-1 just before the two-minute warning, Newton stayed on the field and caught Dallas shifting personnel. With too many Cowboys on the field, Newton passed to TE Greg Olsen for a first down, but Dallas coach Jason Garrett called a timeout just before the snap. Once play resumed, Claiborne broke up Newton's pass to Murphy, ending the Panthers drive.

Top-shelf performances:

QB Romo -- 24 of 34 for 227 yards, 1 TD pass, no INTs
Panthers LB Luke Kuechly -- 15 tackles, 1 fumble recovery

What they said about the timeout on Carolina’s fourth-and-1 completion:

Panthers coach Ron Rivera -- “I thought they had too many men. I thought we had a completion. That’s up to the judgment of the referee. They said they called it before the ball was snapped. They told me it came from the sideline, so you can’t look at it.”

QB Newton -- “I saw a lot of people going off the field. It was a win-win for us. If we snap the ball as quick as we can, we either get an offsides or a completion. You can’t expect anyone else to make a call for us."

What they said about Morris Claiborne’s fourth-and-1 pass breakup:

Cowboys coach Jason Garrett -- “I thought he made a good play. There are bang-bang plays in the NFL. It happened to us throughout the game. Morris did a great job getting his hand in there.”

WR Murphy -- “I thought I got pushed in the back, but I didn’t get the call."

Panthers G Jordan Gross -- “If you want to look for a bright spot, we’re a fourth-and-1 away from a lot of wins here."

Numbers you should know: The Cowboys' first scoring drive was 18 plays and took 10:10, resulting in a field goal. … The Panthers had eight three-and-outs. Newton passed on third down on seven of them, and he ran on the eighth. Murphy had two drops on third down.

Injury update: Cowboys -- C Phil Costa was carted off the field in an air cast in the second quarter after injuring his right leg on an a fumble return by Kuechly. … LB Sean Lee injured his right foot in the third quarter and did not return. Panthers -- LB Jon Beason missed the game with a knee injury. … CB Chris Gamble was inactive with a shoulder injury.

Going forward: Cowboys -- Dallas has a home game against the Giants, followed by trips to Atlanta and Philadelphia, so the win over Carolina was crucial as they head into a tough stretch. … Panthers -- Carolina travels to Chicago, but the Panthers' schedule hits a soft spot after that, with winnable games against Washington, Denver and Tampa.