Dallas takes lead into second half

For the third consecutive year, the Dallas Cowboys are facing the Carolina Panthers in a regular-season game.

This year’s matchup is intriguing for multiple reasons. Dallas is looking to get above .500 for the first time this season, while Panthers running back Rico Dowdle gets a chance to take on his former team.

Can Dallas leave Charlotte on Sunday with a positive result?

Below, you’ll find live updates, game coverage, photos and more from our team covering Cowboys-Panthers:

Cowboys

Live updatesHALFTIMESecond quarter

– 0:20 left in the quarter: Carolina knocks through a long field goal just before the end of the half to cut into Dallas’ lead. Cowboys 17, Panthers 13

– 3:39 left in the quarter: The Dak Prescott-Jake Ferguson connection continues to thrive.

Prescott finds Ferguson on the 13th play of Dallas’ drive for the tight end’s fourth touchdown in three games. Cowboys 17, Panthers 10

– 11:29 left in the quarter: Another first, this time for Panthers first-round receiver Tetairoa McMillan. He finds himself wide open in the end zone for his first touchdown reception from Bryce Young to tie the game. Cowboys 10, Panthers 10

– On the first play of the second quarter, Dak Prescott finds Hunter Luepke in short range for the first career touchdown reception for the fullback. It gives Dallas their first lead of the day. Cowboys 10, Panthers 3

First quarter

– 2:13 left in the first: Donovan Wilson swings things back the Cowboys way with an interception of Bryce Young that Wilson returned all the way back to the Panthers’ 25. An unnecesary roughness penalty was tacked on after the play, giving the Cowboys’ offense a very, very short field to work with.

– 4:48 left in the first: The Cowboys’ next drive ultimately fell short, but it wasn’t without a wow-factor.

Dallas’ George Pickens supplied the biggest play of the day so far on a 31-yard reception in which he leapt clear over a defender. The big gain put the Cowboys in field goal range where Brandon Aubrey would tie the game with a chipshot. Cowboys 3, Panthers 3

– 9:08 left in the first: The Cowboys’ defense allowed a string of chunk plays to Bryce Young, Rico Dowdle and the Panthers but came up with a 3rd-down stop deep in their own territory to force a short Carolina field goal. Panthers 3, Cowboys 0

– 13:30 left in the first: A rather sleepy opening drive for the Cowboys ends with a three-and-out, and the Panthers will quickly take over on offense.

– The Panthers won the opening coin toss and deferred. Dallas will receive possession to start this game.

Pregame updates

Cowboys owner Jerry Jones was asked by @KristiCowboy on @1053thefan about Rico Dowdle’s “buckle up” comments. Jones joked: “I can’t even get our guys to come to the field they’re shaking so bad.”

— Joseph Hoyt (@JoeJHoyt) October 12, 2025

Lol @KristiCowboy on @1053thefan gave Jerry Jones mittens today so there wouldn’t be confusion about what finger he used today when pointing toward fans. Jerry enjoyed it. He also added (jokingly):

“Maybe you have to go and tape my mouth up … I need help.”

— Joseph Hoyt (@JoeJHoyt) October 12, 2025

Marist Liufau got into it with a member of the Panthers football staff before the game. They had to be separated. Brock Hoffman also got involved.

— Calvin Watkins (@calvinwatkins) October 12, 2025

Someone with the Panthers staff came over to the Cowboys’ side during warmups. He and Marist Liufau got into it a little bit and Liufau had to be separated. Then the staff member continued, sparking other Cowboys players to join and head toward him. A little pregame spice.

— Joseph Hoyt (@JoeJHoyt) October 12, 2025

When watching Cowboys-Panthers today, QB Dak Prescott has his right hand/lower arm taped up a little bit. He got scratched up in practice the other day. In pregame warmups he’s throwing with no issues and he even balanced the ball on his hand. He’s good.

— Calvin Watkins (@calvinwatkins) October 12, 2025

There’s been a pretty consistent wind heading toward the north endzone here in Charlotte. There’s been some gusts in the 25 mph range at the nearby airport.

Long story short: there could be some extra distance on the table for field goals.

— Joseph Hoyt (@JoeJHoyt) October 12, 2025

– Cowboys inactives for Week 6 vs. Panthers: WR KaVontae Turpin, RG Tyler Booker, LB Jack Sanborn, OL Ajani Cornelius, WR CeeDee Lamb and DT Mazi Smith.

LT Tyler Guyton and LG Tyler Smith are active for the Week 6 matchup.

Mazi Smith is INACTIVE for the #Cowboys. LT Tyler Guyton and LG Tyler Smith are ACTIVE.

Other inactives:

WR CeeDee Lamb
RG Tyler Booker
LB Jack Sanborn
WR/KR KaVontae Turpin
OT Ajani Cornelius

— Joseph Hoyt (@JoeJHoyt) October 12, 2025

Dak Prescott was asked about Rico Dowdle’s “buckle up” comment this week.

“Whether you were their friend or a teammate a year ago, I can tell you Donovan Wilson is coming downhill to make a physical tackle.”

Here’s Wilson saying hi to Dowdle before the game. pic.twitter.com/A6sM1teEDE

— Joseph Hoyt (@JoeJHoyt) October 12, 2025

Former Cowboys RB Rico Dowdle saying hello to some former teammates in pregame. Here he is giving a hug and a handshake to RT Terence Steele.

Dowdle said earlier this week that his former teammates need to “buckle up” for this reunion. pic.twitter.com/452DYDUaAj

— Joseph Hoyt (@JoeJHoyt) October 12, 2025

CHARLOTTE — Cowboys looking to get above .500 for the first time this season. Will they hand the Panthers their first home loss of the season? pic.twitter.com/cxvxwjT0Uy

— Joseph Hoyt (@JoeJHoyt) October 12, 2025

How to watch Cowboys-Panthers

When: Noon (Sunday, Oct. 12)

Where: Bank of America Stadium (Charlotte, N.C.)

Betting Line: Cowboys -2.5; Over/Under 47.5 (via ESPNBet, as of Sunday)

TV: Fox Streaming: NFL+

Broadcasters: Adam Amin, Greg Olsen, and Pam Oliver

Radio: English: 105.3 The Fan (KRLD-FM) Spanish: 107.5 La Grande (KMVK-FM)

Pregame reading

— Expert predictions for Cowboys-Panthers: Will Dallas’ offense keep cooking in Carolina?

— How Cowboys RB Javonte Williams, the strong and silent type, found his starring role

— Cowboys-Panthers shaping up to feature heavyweight fight few may have expected