Every week, we’re digging into the trenches, offense and defense, because that’s where the real action happens. In this installment, we’re shining a spotlight on the offensive line, who’s holding it down, who’s opening holes for the running backs, and who’s keeping Dak Prescott clean. Let’s get to it.

(2025 Stats: 280 Total Snaps, 185 Pass Blocks, 16 Pressures, 3 QB Hits, 1 Sacks, 4 Penalties)

Guyton missed last week due to concussion but should be looking to get back into his starting role this week, just keep an eye on that practice report. The good news is Nathan Thomas was pretty good last week in New York. Thomas did allow a team high of three pressures, but never allowed a sack. With Guyton expected to return that should add better continuity and familiarity to the offensive line. The only problem is concussion injuries are always hard to judge with returning from the protocol, but if Thomas does have to step in Cowboys fans should have some level of confidence this week.

Carolina has only five team sacks this season, and their edge group has combined for just one solo sack between them all. That means if Guyton or Thomas are in at left tackle they should have an easier ride than the threat that was presented to them against the New York Jets. On paper, this Panthers defense will give a soft edge rush compared to what the team just navigated last week.

(2025 Stats: 293 Total snaps, 195 Pass Blocks, 5 Pressures, 0 QB Hits, 0 Sacks, 5 Penalties)

The bad news came last week that Smith would miss the Jets game with a leg injury. The good news is Smith wasn’t made inactive and was on the bench (for emergency purposes). That suggests that Smith isn’t that far from being able to start and we could see him feature or even start against the Panthers, that’s double good news.

His assignment this week if he plays is all about holding firm inside. Carolina’s pass rush has leaned more on interior disruption than edge rushing, with the Panthers entering last Sunday at just two sacks before popping three against Miami. That lines up Smith for a trench fight against power and quickness, something he should be able to handle.

To help Dallas secure the win, Smith needs to play by winning with first contact to stalemate bull rushes, pass off stunts efficiently, and lean into inside zone to stack second-and-manageable plays, shrinking Carolina’s inside pass rush.

(2025 Stats: 219 Total Snaps, 136 Pass Blocks, 9 Pressures, 2 QB Hits, 0 Sacks, 0 Penalties)

Hoffman clocked in at center and ran the show in the 37–22 win. With Dak tossing four touchdowns, Dallas moved the ball at will, and the protection held its end of the bargain with relatively calm pockets, clean landmarks, and zero pressures in 60 snaps for Hoffman. For a line held together with duct tape, that matters as Hoffman kept his voice steady in the chaos, and turned a reshuffled interior into a smooth operation on the road.

Now comes Carolina, and the bullseye shifts straight up the gut. The Panthers snoozed through September and then jolted awake versus Miami, all from the interior. Derrick Brown, A’Shawn Robinson, Tershawn Wharton all grabbed one sack apiece; that’s solid interior play. That means the fight lives in the A-gaps for Carolina and they will dial up stunts and bull rushes inside to spring those big bodies through seams rather than winning old-school off the edge.

(2025 Stats: 130 Total snaps, 76 Pass Blocks, 1 Pressures, 0 QB Hits, 0 Sacks, 0 Penalties)

T.J. Bass just went from next man up to tone-setter, and Carolina is the kind of test that circles his name in red. The Panthers finally woke up last week (as previously mentioned) and the interior pass rush will look to target Bass and put him to the test early. Expect a steady diet of physical rushes and twists aimed right at Bass’ inside shoulder, trying to pry open the seam between him and Terence Steele.

That means the job description for Bass is simple this week. Keep the post foot heavy and get those hands on target so long-arm power rushes turns into a stalemate. Communicate like his life depends on it with Brock Hoffman. Bass’s calling cards with his play strength translate perfectly here. If he bricks the B-gap, stays penalty-free, and lets the run game eat on his edge, that defensive interior surge becomes lifeless and Dallas keeps the tempo exactly where it wants to be.

(2025 Stats: 349 Total snaps, 226 Pass Blocks, 15 Pressures, 1 QB Hits, 2 Sacks, 3 Penalties)

Steele was the team’s highest graded offensive lineman last week and walks into a Panthers matchup that screams win the right edge, win the day. Carolina’s splash plays have been coming from the belly of the beast so expect the Panthers to manufacture edge rushes with stunts and inside counters aimed at Steele and Bass. The role for Steele is meet speed-to-power with a patient outside hand so the defenders reach dies on first contact.

Side-by-side with Bass, the plan is punch and stay square so no looper crosses his face. Steele will need to be ready for some quick game, chips, and play-action keepers to keep the edges guessing and make Carolina defend the run before they can tee off. Steele can turn the right edge from a stress point into a runway in the run game, he’s the team’s highest-graded run blocker, and the tape coincides with the numbers. Get Javonte Williams powering behind Steele’s manufactured gaps and that keeps the offense on script all day.

Copper Beebe remains out along with Tyler Booker. Tyler Guyton could return from concussion this week pending tests. Tyler Smith could also be back this week, so keep an eye on the practice report for both Guyton and Smith’s name.