Cowboys Earn First Home Win, Panthers Fall to 0-3 in Sloppy MNF Game

Stop me if you’ve heard this one before. Jake Delhomme kills a Carolina Panthers’ drive by throwing a back-breaking interception.

Yep, just happened again. Though to be fair, this one isn’t totally on him. Looking for Steve Smith on a slant, Delhomme delivered a ball that Smith should have caught...had he not broken off the route completely. Instead, the ball found the waiting hands of Cowboy DB Terrence Newman, who returned the ball 27 yards for the Dallas TD.

The perfect way to follow-up a scoring drive? How bout another one?

This time the Cowboys take their time. Starting at their own 26, Dallas drives down the field thanks in large part to Tashard Choice’s work out of the backfield running and catching the ball. The Cowboys work it all the way down to the 1-yard-line and…not so much. Two incomplete passes later, Nick Folk hits his 2nd field goal of the evening. 13-7 Cowboys with 12:02 to play.

So this is what offense looks like…

Taking over at their own 42, Dallas marched down the field on a 5-play, 58-yard drive that culminated in a five-yard touchdown run by Tashard Choice to make it a 10-7 game.

Nick Folk knocked a 24-yard field goal through the uprights and the Panthers’ lead is down to 7-3. 9:53 left in the 3rd.

7-0 Panthers at the half, and it hasn’t been much of a defensive battle. Both teams can move the ball, sort of, but when they move the ball they usually do something counterproductive immediately afterward. Tony Romo will complete a pass and then suffer a sack. The Panthers will convert on a third and long and then throw a pick on the next play.

There’s the Jake Delhomme we know and barely remember: 6-of-7 on a drive for 67 yards, including two big throws down the seam to receiving tight end Dante Rosario, whose name always reminds me of Rosario Dawson. The Panthers are looking suddenly alive and sharp, while the Cowboys defense just gave up two big gains on what was basically the same play. Wade Phillips, meet adjustment. Adjustment, Wade Phillips. Why don’t you two get acquainted?

After coverting a third and 16 on a nice run by DeAngelo Williams, Jake Delhomme stepped back in the pocket, reared, fired, and threw a high, arcing lob to Muhsin Muhammad down the left side of the field. It was promptly intercepted. Fortunately for Delhomme, the pick was less his fault than Muhammad’s. The play was predicated on Muhsin making a leaping effort, and Muhammad appeared to sort of give up on the ball mid-catch. In other words, the pick looks bad on paper, but Delhomme’s job probably remains safe. For now.

Both offenses are moving the ball; neither of them are moving it particularly deep into opposing territory. The Cowboys have had the best scoring chance of the two thus far on a nice, Felix Jones-heavy opening drive, but kicker Nick Folk’s missed 46-yard field goal left Tony Romo and company scoreless. Meanwhile, the Cowboys offensive line is having a tough time with the Panthers’ pass rush.

On the other side of the ball, the Panthers are finding little success moving the ball. Steve Smith has been active, but not much else is clicking for John Fox’s team. Jake Delhomme has managed to not get himself benched yet, though, so we suppose that’s something.

There are a few important Panthers set to miss tonight’s game. Charles Chandler has the info:

The Charlotte Observer’s Charles Chandler has the official news on Marion Barber: He’ll miss tonight’s game against the Panthers. Felix Jones will be the lead back, as expected, while Tashard Choice will serve as the backup. (Felix Jones fantasy owners may now jump for joy.)

Once again from the Morning News Cowboys Blog, word is that the roof will be closed on the new stadium tonight.

It’s supposed to be a perfect evening weather-wise in Dallas (clear, in the 70’s), so the assumption would be that Jerry Jones wants the extra noise that will be generated with the building sealed shut. Makes sense considering they sold about 30,000 less party passes for tonight’s game.

From the Dallas Morning News Cowboys Blog:

Barber is suffering from a left thigh injury that occurred during last Monday’s game against the Giants.