The Carolina Panthers will be searching for their third win this Sunday, when “America’s Team” comes to town. A triumph would give the team a second straight victory, as they come off the heels of a wild comeback over the Miami Dolphins, as well as their first .500 record since the 2021 campaign.

But to do so, they’ll have to come out on top of a few major battles.

Here are the key matchups for Carolina’s Week 6 contest against the visiting Dallas Cowboys:

Panthers RB Rico Dowdle vs. Cowboys’ run defense

The Panthers ran a balanced offensive approach in their 27-24 win last weekend. Their attack was led by Dowdle, who rushed for a career-high 206 yards and a touchdown in place of an injured Chuba Hubbard.

Carolina’s success on the ground versus Miami can be attributed to their ability to “get a hat on a hat,” along with their effectiveness in gap and zone run concepts. That could mean trouble for the Dallas defense, which has allowed the 10th-highest EPA per rushing attempt and the sixth-most 10-yard runs thus far.

With Hubbard out due to his calf strain once again, it’ll be time for the Cowboys to buckle up for their old friend in Dowdle.

Panthers’ offensive line vs. Cowboys’ defensive front

For Dowdle to take his former team down, his offensive line will have to show up. And unfortunately, that won’t be the case for starting right tackle Taylor Moton—who has been ruled out with an elbow injury.

Between a downgrade at the position with Yosh Nijman and the existing absences of center Austin Corbett and right guard Robert Hunt, the Panthers may struggle to keep pressure away—especially against a Cowboys defense that has generated the fourth-highest pressure rate (30.1 percent).

To counter that, head coach and offensive play-caller Dave Canales should push for a more aggressive dose of the run game.

Panthers defense vs. Cowboys QB Dak Prescott

Prescott is playing some of the best football of his career this season, and is even making an early MVP case for himself. The three-time Pro Bowler has completed 71.3 percent of his throws for 1,356 yards, 10 touchdowns and three interceptions.

He’s also tallied 17 passes of at least 20 yards, tying Dallas for the fifth-most such completions thus far. That could bite the Panthers defense, which has been prone to giving up big plays despite their recent improvements.

Ejiro Evero’s defense finally found ways to attack the quarterback, and that showed with their three sacks of Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa. They must keep the heat on.

Carolina will also have to contain another Cowboy who’s been playing career ball, running back Javonte Williams. If their Week 5 run defense—which allowed just 19 yards—shows up, then they’re in good shape.

Panthers CB Mike Jackson vs. Cowboys WR George Pickens

Jackson struggled against Jaylen Waddle, Miami’s top wideout, last Sunday. Waddle hit Jackson up for four receptions and 86 yards, 46 of which came on a go-ahead touchdown late in the fourth quarter.

With CeeDee Lamb out, Pickens has served as the No. 1 receiver for Prescott. Over the last four weeks, he’s reeled in 20 catches for 327 yards and five touchdowns.

Expect Dallas to keep Pickens away from cornerback Jaycee Horn and line him up against Jackson.

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This article originally appeared on Panthers Wire: Panthers vs. Cowboys 2025: Key matchups for Week 6