The Series: With the 21-7 victory, Dallas defeated Carolina for the eighth consecutive time in the regular season and leads the all-time series 8-3. The Panthers only regular-season win over the Cowboys was a 23-13 triumph on Monday Night Football at Dallas (12/8/97). In addition to their nine regular-season meetings, the Panthers and Cowboys have played twice during the postseason with Carolina winning both contests.
Primetime Panthers: This was the Panthers' ninth-ever appearance on Monday Night Football. Carolina owns a 5-4 record on
Monday Night Football*. Including games on Sunday and Saturday nights, the Panthers have a 9-12 overall mark in primetime during the regular season.
For Starters: James Anderson replaced Na'il Diggs, who was inactive because of a rib injury, in the starting lineup at strongside linebacker. It marked Anderson's fourth career start and first since opening at middle linebacker versus Tama Bay (9/30/07). Quinton Teal started his third consecutive game at strong safety in place of Chris Harris, who did not play because of an injured knee.
Inactives: The following eight players were inactive for the Panthers: defensive end Everette Brown, linebacker Na'il Diggs, quarterback A.J. Feeley (third quarterback), safety Chris Harris, fullback Brad Hoover, guard Duke Robinson, running back Tyrell Sutton and tackle Garry Williams.
Team Leaders: Quarterback Jake Delhomme completed 22-of-33 passes for 220 yards and one touchdown with two interceptions to produce a 70.3 quarterback rating. He has completed 54-of-91 passes for 601 yards and two touchdowns with seven interceptions this season.
Running back DeAngelo Williams posted a team-high 64 yards on 11 attempts. He leads the Panthers with 180 yards and two touchdowns on 41 carries this season.
Wide receiver Muhsin Muhammad hauled in a team-leading six receptions for 51 yards. He ranks second on the Panthers behind Steve Smith, who has 15 catches for 190 yards, with 14 receptions for 139 yards this season.
Sacked Out: The Panthers collected two sacks against the Cowboys and have gathered four this season. Linebackers Thomas Davis and Jon Beason each notched one quarterback takedown.
Takeaway/Giveaway: Carolina did not force any turnovers and turned it over three times on two interceptions and one fumble to finish with a minus-three turnover ratio. The three giveaways led to seven points for Dallas. The Panthers have a negative-eight turnover ratio this season, compiling an 0-1 record when being even in turnover margin and an 0-2 record when having a negative turnover margin.
Claw Marks: Kicker John Kasay extended his team record for consecutive extra points made to 139...Fullback Brad Hoover was inactive with an injured back, ending his streak of 60 consecutive games played.
Roundups: Dallas cornerback Terence Newman returned an interception 27 yards for a touchdown, the first interception return for a touchdown by an opponent since Clint Ingram with a 39-yarder for Jacksonville (12/9/07)...Cowboys punter Mat McBriar tied the record for the second-most punts inside the 20 by an opponent with five, previously accomplished by Tom Tupa for the New York Jets (10/28/01).
