***SWAMPY STUFFING EXTRAVAGANZA - TURDUCKEN TRIFECTA - PART II - CAR @ DAL***
***CAROLINA PANTHERS @ DALLAS COWBOYS***
The Meat of the Turkey Day Trifecta leaves us feasting on the best game of the day for dinner when the 10-0 Carolina Panthers head into the home of America's Darling, the Dallas Cowboys. The Cowboys have newfound energy and hope since their star QB Tony Romo made his long awaited return last week in Miami and broke the Cowboy's losing streak that took place during his absence. Good for them. The talk of the league is now how Dallas has a chance to run the table and win the NFC East.....people are almost granting them this upset win already as if it is destiny. In the words of my man Lee Corso- "not so fast my friend." While Romo makes the Cowboys light-years better yes, I still don't think they have what it takes to go up against this powerhouse and that he will need another game or so before he is really gelling. Just because they beat an average Miami team last weekend, doesn't mean they have what it takes to defeat the NFC's best on the ultimate Prime Time stage nonetheless. As much as Dallas is thought of as America's team, I think they have lost some of that luster with the whole Greg Hardy fiasco and that the Panthers have actually begun to steal that USA darling spotlight a bit! Everytime we see the Panthers play we are shown Cam Newton and others high-fiving and dancing with the kids, now making it a tradition to give them the football after scoring a touchdown. It's some real feel good stuff. Now not that it matters or anything when playing the game, but just some food for thought that the America's perception has spun a bit. No doubt in my mind this will be a great game as both of these teams are very talented and are capable of playing some great football on both sides of the ball. I think it will be clash of the Titans per say and a defensive battle throughout. The Panthers defense is best in the league in my mind and will have one of their defensive leaders back in DE Charles Johnson who should provide some extra spark not that it is needed but it should help the pressure on Romo. I think Carolina CB youngster Josh Norman is emerging as the best CB this season. This guy will shadow WR Dez Bryant all game long and should limit if not eliminate his production and take away this target for Romo forcing him to go elsewhere. The Panther LB core is arguably the best in the business and I like them to stuff the run of Dallas and also be athletic enough to not let TE Jason Witten have a huge day as well. That all being said, I think Romo will struggle today. He did throw two interceptions against Miami last week to match his two touchdowns, the rust is not all completely gone just yet and facing a top defense today it might really show. On the other side of things I like the Cowboy defense to play their best game today and give Cam a hard time completing passes and limiting the run game from him and RB Stewart. Like Carolina, the Cowboys also have some standout LBs who are both extremely smart and athletic and will also try to take away Cam's favorite weapon in TE Greg Olsen. However, I like the Panthers a tad bit more here in a grind it out type of game where a HUGE mistake/turnover will likely determine the outcome, and in that case gimme da Cats! Big Cam gon' have some turkey at the end of this one smiling from ear to ear, I can see it now. PANTHERS PK
