CAROLINA, N.C. -- Carolina Panthers running back Rico Dowdle was so frustrated after getting only six carries in Monday night's 20-9 loss at San Francisco that the next morning he posted a confused emoji on social media. On Wednesday, head coach Dave Canales met with the team to admit he has to be more balanced with his play-calling, starting with Sunday's game against the Los Angeles Rams.
It feels as if we're back in 2022 and 2023, when the Jets' defense played well enough to win but they got nothing from the offense. In today's NFL, you can't go two games without a touchdown. It's remarkable and it's crippling. The Jets' defense allowed 13 points to Denver in London last week and 13 points Sunday. That should be good enough to win, but it's not when you produce five field goals in 23 drives.
Despite a nearly flawless passing performance from Dak Prescott and a dominant outing from George Pickens, Dallas abandoned what was working and stubbornly tried to force the run in a 30-27 loss to the Carolina Panthers. Prescott was nearly perfect - 25 of 34 for 261 yards, three touchdowns, and zero interceptions - finishing with a 124.8 passer rating. His chemistry with Pickens was elite: 9 receptions for 168 yards and a touchdown, including plays of 31, 34, and 45 yards that ripped through Carolina's secondary.
After the worst performance of his young career a week ago, he bounced back with poise, accuracy, and confidence. He wasn't just managing the offense; he was commanding it, showing exactly why the Falcons hitched their future to him. Penix finished 20-of-26 (76.9%) for 313 yards, two touchdowns, and one interception. Even the pick wasn't a backbreaker - more of a heat check to an equally hot Drake London on a sideline sail route.
