[tinfw17]

Jim Feist's 5* Panthers vs Cowboys MNF Winner 09/28 05:35 PM PT / 8:35 PM ET

NFL (431) CAROLINA PANTHERS at (432) DALLAS COWBOYS

Take: (431) CAROLINA PANTHERS (5* Monday Night)

Reason: It seems the playoff disaster by Carolina (0-2 SU/ATS) has continued over to 2009 and sapped their confidence. They were destroyed at home in the opener, 38-10, by the Eagles, then lost 28-20 at Atlanta. QB Jake Delhomme (1 TD, 5 INTs) has struggled, though he threw for 308 yards, 1 TD and 1 pick Sunday in Atlanta. WRs Steve Smith (137 yards) and Muhsin Muhammad are off a good game, and the ground game had 144 yards behind RBs Jonathan Stewart and DeAngelo Williams. They have plenty of talent on offense.. Dallas (1-1 SU/ATS) has a lot to prove, flopping badly under coach Wade Phillips, missing the playoffs after a 1-3 SU/ATS finish. Dallas was No. 8 in total defense in 2008. QB Tony Romo (4 TDs, 3 INTs) leads a versatile offense, with a good one-two backfield punch in RB Marion Barber and Felix Jones, plus WR Patrick Crayton, Pro Bowl TE Jason Witten and WR Roy Williams. They rolled up 462 yards in a 34-21 win at Tampa Bay, but the defense was terrible allowing 450 yards (174 rushing). They come off a frustrating 33-31 last second home loss to their rival, the NY Giants, despite 251 rushing yards (4 TOs hurt). This secondary is still suspect, something the Panthers should be able to attack. This is just too many points for a Cowboys team to lay to a Panthers club with so many offensive weapons.