Panthers expect to play different Cowboys
By Darin Gantt
The Herald CHARLOTTE --
Considering the Dallas Cowboys are fighting for the same NFC playoff berths the Carolina Panthers are, the Panthers couldn't have minded the Cowboys losing last week. They just didn't want the Cowboys losing the way they did. Dallas dropped an ugly 35-7 decision at Washington last week, the most lopsided win in the 45-year rivalry. The Cowboys were intercepted on the game's first play and trailed 28-0 at halftime, leaving the Panthers to believe the best thing to do is disregard what they saw on tape. "I think so, you throw it out," Panthers safety Mike Minter said. "The biggest thing is you can't dwell on it, because those aren't going to be the same Cowboys that trot up in here. "These guys are going to be ready and fired up." Panthers coach John Fox, as is his custom, gave heaps of credit to Dallas, particularly coach Bill Parcells, in downplaying the significance of the loss. Dallas has dropped three of its last four games, and clings to hopes of a wild-card berth. The Panthers can clinch a spot with a win. "They are a salty bunch," Fox said of the Cowboys. "They are well-coached. They've got good players. They are fighting for their playoff lives as well as we are. "They had kind of a clunker last week. All of these players in this league are prideful and want to get rid of that bitter taste. We've got what I'm sure is going to be a very physical and aggressive football team coming to town."
The Herald CHARLOTTE --
Considering the Dallas Cowboys are fighting for the same NFC playoff berths the Carolina Panthers are, the Panthers couldn't have minded the Cowboys losing last week. They just didn't want the Cowboys losing the way they did. Dallas dropped an ugly 35-7 decision at Washington last week, the most lopsided win in the 45-year rivalry. The Cowboys were intercepted on the game's first play and trailed 28-0 at halftime, leaving the Panthers to believe the best thing to do is disregard what they saw on tape. "I think so, you throw it out," Panthers safety Mike Minter said. "The biggest thing is you can't dwell on it, because those aren't going to be the same Cowboys that trot up in here. "These guys are going to be ready and fired up." Panthers coach John Fox, as is his custom, gave heaps of credit to Dallas, particularly coach Bill Parcells, in downplaying the significance of the loss. Dallas has dropped three of its last four games, and clings to hopes of a wild-card berth. The Panthers can clinch a spot with a win. "They are a salty bunch," Fox said of the Cowboys. "They are well-coached. They've got good players. They are fighting for their playoff lives as well as we are. "They had kind of a clunker last week. All of these players in this league are prideful and want to get rid of that bitter taste. We've got what I'm sure is going to be a very physical and aggressive football team coming to town."
posted by The Gryphon at 10:53 AM
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