Dallas Cowboys Defeat Carolina Panthers in OT Thriller, 37-31

CHARLOTTE, NC — “We had to dig deep. This game was a test,” said Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott after Dallas’s thrilling 37-31 overtime victory against the Carolina Panthers. “Every guy gave it their all, and that’s what you need at this point in the season.”

The Dallas Cowboys outlasted the Carolina Panthers in a 37-31 overtime win in what could be one of the most exciting games of the season. The game-winning moment came when Brandin Cooks returned the overtime kickoff 93 yards for a touchdown, putting an end to the wild back-and-forth affair.

“We knew it was going to be a fight,” said Cooks, whose game-winning return was the final nail. “In those moments, you just have to focus and execute. My blockers set it up perfectly.”

First Half: A Tale of Two Quarters

The Panthers came out firing in the first quarter, grabbing an early 10-0 lead. Brandon McManus kicked a 42-yard field goal, and Bryce Young hit Adam Thielen for a 5-yard touchdown to cap the opening frame.

The Cowboys responded in the second quarter behind Ezekiel Elliott, who punched in a 1-yard touchdown run. Minutes later, Prescott found Elliott for a 7-yard touchdown pass, shifting the momentum to give Dallas a 14-10 lead heading into halftime.

“We always feel confident with Zeke near the goal line,” Prescott said. “He’s a workhorse, and when he gets going, the whole offense feeds off of it.”

Second Half: Trading Blows

The Panthers weren’t going away quietly. Jonathon Brooks’ 16-yard touchdown run in the third quarter tied things up, but once again, Elliott proved to be the difference-maker, punching it in from 2 yards out for his third touchdown of the day, giving Dallas a 21-17 lead going into the fourth quarter.

Elliott, who finished with 68 rushing yards and 3 total touchdowns, credited the offensive line for his success. “Those guys up front deserve all the credit,” Elliott said. “They opened the lanes, and I just had to finish the runs.”

Fourth Quarter: Late-Game Heroics

Carolina grabbed the lead in the fourth with a momentum-swinging 75-yard fumble recovery touchdown by Dane Jackson. But Dallas wasn’t done yet. Prescott connected with Jalen Tolbert for a 33-yard touchdown to regain the lead, 28-24. With less than a minute left, Young delivered a strike to Xavier Legette for a 31-yard touchdown, putting the Panthers up 31-28.

“We thought that was it,” said Legette, who finished with 109 yards on 5 catches. “But in this league, you can never relax.”

With just seconds left in regulation, Cowboys kicker Brandon Aubrey drilled a 45-yard field goal to send the game into overtime, setting the stage for Cooks’ game-winning return.

Overtime: Cooks Seals the Deal

On the opening kickoff of overtime, Cooks took the ball 93 yards to the house, ending the game in dramatic fashion and securing the Cowboys’ 37-31 victory.

“I saw the lane open up, and it was just about hitting it hard,” Cooks said of his game-winning return. “It’s moments like that you dream of as a player.”

Key Stats

Dak Prescott had a solid outing, completing 27 of 39 passes for 272 yards and 2 touchdowns. He remained calm under pressure throughout the game, helping guide the Cowboys to their victory. Ezekiel Elliott was the workhorse for Dallas, with 68 rushing yards, 2 rushing touchdowns, and a receiving touchdown.

On the Panthers’ side, Bryce Young finished 20 of 35 for 267 yards, 2 touchdowns, and 1 interception, showing flashes of brilliance throughout the game. Xavier Legette was his go-to target, recording 109 yards and a touchdown.

Dallas finished with 598 total yards, outgaining Carolina’s 461 yards. The Cowboys’ defense forced two key turnovers, including Dane Jackson’s 75-yard fumble recovery touchdown that almost swung the game Carolina’s way.

Up Next

The Cowboys, fresh off this win, will face the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Week 16, while the Panthers look to rebound against the Arizona Cardinals.