Panthers vs. Cowboys 2015 picks and predictions: Experts split on Thanksgiving clash

The Dallas Cowboys welcome the Carolina Panthers to AT&T Stadium in their annual Thanksgiving game. The Cowboys are looking to keep their slim hopes alive and pull off an upset in the process against the undefeated Panthers.

Carolina is off to the best start in franchise history, moving to 10-0 after dismantling Washington last week. Cam Newton had one of the best performances of his career, throwing for five touchdowns in a 44-16 romp. The Panthers also can clinch a playoff spot this week with a win and a number of other scenarios going their way. But for now, the focus will be on getting the holiday road win ahead of a divisional clash with the New Orleans Saints next week.

The Cowboys would seem dead and buried at 3-7, but they're still alive in the ever-unpredictable NFC East. They also have Tony Romo back to inject some life back into the offense. Romo made his return last week against the Miami Dolphins, and despite some rustiness, he did enough for the team to snap its seven-game losing streak.

Dallas is still just two games behind the division-leading New York Giants. The two teams split their regular season series and hold the same divisional record for now, so Dallas will need as many NFC wins as it can with a 2-6 conference record. Handing the Panthers their first loss of the season would be a heck of a start.