Cowboys-Panthers: How they match up
01:28 AM CST on Sunday, October 29, 2006
By TODD ARCHER / The Dallas Morning News
| WHEN THE COWBOYS RUN |
| EDGE:  | The last time Julius Jones saw the Panthers, he ran for 194 yards and two touchdowns. He is coming off a 30-yard game against the Giants. The Panthers have allowed three 100-yard rushers this season, including Cincinnati's Rudi Johnson (101) last week. Tony Romo needs the running game to be his best friend this week. |
| WHEN THE COWBOYS PASS |
| EDGE:  | There is never a good time to make a quarterback move, but Tony Romo's ability to get out of trouble will be tested by Julius Peppers. It's time for Terrell Owens, Terry Glenn and Jason Witten to play their best games. At different times this season, they have had lapses that have stopped drives. Romo will need all the help he can get. |
| WHEN THE PANTHERS RUN |
| EDGE: | DeShaun Foster is their leader, but he is averaging only 3.8 yards per rush. Carolina misses the big-play ability of first-round pick DeAngelo Williams (ankle). After allowing Tiki Barber to go over 100 yards Monday, the Cowboys want to re-establish their run defense. Marcus Spears, Jason Ferguson and Chris Canty need to control the game up front. |
| WHEN THE PANTHERS PASS |
| EDGE: | Jake Delhomme will be remembered by Cowboys fans as the quarterback who got away in the Bill Parcells era. He is effective, but he makes mistakes. Steve Smith is the game's best receiver and has 39 catches for 576 yards despite missing two games. The Panthers are ready to continue the trend of big plays against the Cowboys defense. |
| SPECIAL TEAMS |
| EDGE: | Tyson Thompson is no longer the NFL's leading kick returner but could be a difference-maker for the Cowboys, who need short fields to work with. John Kasay is as automatic as kickers come in the NFL – like Mike Vanderjagt. Carolina punter Jason Baker has a solid leg, but not as powerful as Mat McBriar's. |
| INTANGIBLES |
| EDGE: | It's never easy for a team breaking in a new quarterback during the season. The Panthers are coming off a loss and playing at home in front of a national television audience. The Cowboys' season has been unstable with all the Terrell Owens and quarterback issues. |
E-mail tarcher@dallasnews.com
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