by Rod Pearson
Tuesday, Oct 07, 2025
Game Time: 1:00 pm ET, Sunday, October 12, 2025
Venue: Bank of America Stadium, Charlotte, NC
Where to Watch: FOX
Opening Odds at USA Sportsbooks
DraftKings: Point Spread: Cowboys -3.5, Panthers +3.5; Over/Under: 49.5 points
Bet365: Point Spread: Cowboys -3.5, Panthers +3.5; Over/Under: 49.5 points
BetMGM: Point Spread: Cowboys -3.5, Panthers +3.5; Over/Under: 49.5 points
Season Record
Dallas Cowboys: 2-2-1 (3rd place, NFC East)
Carolina Panthers: 2-3 (3rd place, NFC South)
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Recent Form
Dallas Cowboys: won their last game on the road against the New York Jets 37-22.
Carolina Panthers: won their last game at home against the Miami Dolphins 27-24.
Dallas Cowboys vs Carolina Panthers Preview and Analysis
The Cowboys are entering this game with a 2-2-1 record overall and they have a 1-1 record in their divisional games too. They are 1-0-1 in their home games, 1-2 in their road games, and they are also 0-0 in their neutral site games this season, but they will be on the road for this game. They won their last game against the New York Jets 37-22. Dak Prescott was the starting QB and he completed 18/29 passes for 237 passing yards, 4 touchdowns, and 0 interceptions. Javonte Williams led the team in rushing yards with 135 and 1 TD. Ryan Flournoy led the receivers with 114 receiving yards on 6 receptions. Shemar James led the defense in that game with 8 solo tackles and 7 assisted tackles while James Houston led the defense in sacks with 1.5. No one on the defense came away with an interception for them in that one.
The Panthers are entering this game with a 2-3 record overall and they have a 1-0 record in their divisional games too. They are 2-0 in their home games, 0-3 in their road games, and they are also 0-0 in their neutral site games this season, but they will be at home for this game. They won their last game against the Miami Dolphins 27-24. Bryce Young was the starting QB and he completed 19/30 passes for 198 passing yards, 2 touchdowns, and 1 interception. Rico Dowdle led the team in rushing yards with 206 and 1 TD. Tetairoa McMillan led the receivers with 73 receiving yards on 6 receptions. Tre'von Moehrig led the defense in that game with 6 solo tackles and 1 assisted tackle while A'Shawn Robinson, Derrick Brown, and Patrick Jones II each led the defense in sacks with 1. No one on the defense came away with an interception for them in that one.
Cowboys vs Panthers Prediction
The current betting odds have the Cowboys listed as a 3.5 point favorite in this game according to Draftkings Sportsbook. The Cowboys haven't looked bad in their games this season with their 2-2-1 record overall. They have one of the worst defenses in the NFL this season and have been giving up a ton of points in their games, but they have also been putting up a ton of points with one of the best offenses in the NFL. The defense has let them down against better offenses, but this isn't a game that they are going to need to be great in. Meanwhile, the Panthers haven't looked great in their games this season with their 2-3 record overall. They lost all 3 of their road games and have won both of their home games, coming off a 27-24 win over the Dolphins in their last one. They have been a tricky team to beat at home and the defense has looked better this season, but they still have one of the worst defenses in the NFL this year, just like the Cowboys do, and they don't have that explosive offense to bail them out. This is a matchup between two bad defenses and the team with the better offense is going to prevail. The Cowboys have a lot more talent on offense to work with and more reliable players to lean on here now that they have some momentum on their side. The best way to place a bet here is on the Cowboys to cover the spread in this game.
Cowboys Panthers Prediction: Our NFL Pick for Sunday, October 12, 2025 (1:00 pm ET start time) is Cowboys 35 Panthers 20.
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NFL Betting Trends
Dallas Cowboys: 9-2 ATS when playing against a team with a losing record. 5-0 ATS vs. poor passing teams averaging 5.7 or less passing yards/att. 10-2 ATS versus poor defensive teams - allowing 5.65 yards/play or more. 5-1 UNDER as a road favorite. 6-2 UNDER in all games where the total is greater than or equal to 49.5.
Carolina Panthers: 3-10 ATS vs. good passing teams averaging 235 or more passing yards/game. 3-8 ATS vs. poor passing defenses - allowing 7 or more passing yards/att. 4-9 ATS versus good offensive teams - averaging 5.65 yards/play or more. 4-1 UNDER against NFC East division opponents.
Key Injuries
Dallas Cowboys: J. Clowney (DL) Injured. T. Diggs (CB) Injured - Knee. J. Houston (DL) Injured - Knee. C. Lamb (WR) Injured - Ankle. K. Murray Jr. (LB) Injured - Knee. M. Sanders (RB) Injured - Knee. K. Turpin (WR) Injured - Foot. D. Wilson (S) Injured - Elbow. J. Sanborn (LB) Injured - Concussion. J. Mingo (WR) Injured - Knee. T. Smith (OG) Injured - Knee. D. Bland (CB) Injured - Shoulder. J. Thomas (S) Injured - Ankle. C. Carson (CB) Injured - Knee. T. Guyton (OT) Injured - Concussion. M. Kneeland (DL) Injured - Ankle. A. Cornelius (OT) Injured - Knee. T. Booker (OG) Injured - Ankle.
Carolina Panthers: J. Sanders (TE) Injured - Ankle. C. Smith-Wade (CB) Injured - Chest. M. Jackson (CB) Injured - Ribs. J. Coker (WR) Injured - Quadriceps. A. Evans (CB) Injured - Hamstring. C. Hubbard (RB) Injured - Calf. T. Moton (OT) Injured - Elbow. T. Wharton (DL) Injured - Toe.
Notable Quotes
“I think we’re spoiled. I think he’s one of the best players in the league. He’s certainly one of the best leaders and teammates I’ve ever been around. Guys believe in him and he’s playing with a ton of confidence right now.” - Brian Schottenheimer after his team’s win against the Jets in their last game.
“I think it was a great message that carried over. Obviously not the start that we want, but for us to be able to refocus. (Canales) talks about that all the time, about being able to refocus from the good from the bad, whatever it may be, and you saw that in all phases. Regardless of what was going on with the scoreboard, just to be able to refocus on go on to the next play." - Bryce Young after their win against the Dolphins in their last game.
Starting Lineups
Dallas Cowboys
WR Pickens, George
WR Tolbert, Jalen
WR Flournoy, Ryan
TE Ferguson, Jake
QB Prescott, Dak
RB Williams, Javonte
FB Luepke, Hunter
Carolina Panthers
WR McMillan, Tetairoa
WR Legette, Xavier
WR Renfrow, Hunter
TE Tremble, Tommy
QB Young, Bryce
RB Dowdle, Rico
Statistical Leaders
Dallas Cowboys
Passing: Dak Prescott (1,356)
Rushing: Javonte Williams (447)
Receiving: George Pickens (357)
Touchdowns: Javonte Williams (6)
Carolina Panthers
Passing: Bryce Young (951)
Rushing: Rico Dowdle (289)
Receiving: Tetairoa McMillan (351)
Touchdowns: Chuba Hubbard (2)
Coaches:
Dallas Cowboys: Brian Schottenheimer (1st season)
Carolina Panthers: Dave Canales (2nd season)
Rod Pearson
About the Author:
Rod Pearson has been a rabid sports fan his entire life. He grew up in Ontario, and was skilled in both hockey and baseball, and pitched in an elite baseball league for many years. In 2022, Rod decided to hang up his glove, so that he could write about the sports he loves -- but from a gambling perspective. Join Rod every day as he breaks down the games to find the best betting value.
