Dallas Cowboys vs. Carolina Panthers Picks and Prediction, Sunday, October 12, 2025
Use Code WWWC The Dallas Cowboys (2-2-1) and the Carolina Panthers (2-3) will meet in an NFC battle between two-win teams on Sunday afternoon in this Cowboys vs. Panthers prediction. These teams met last season with Dallas winning 30-14 on the road. The Cowboys are coming off a 37-22 road win over the Jets as 2.5-point favorites, while the Panthers are coming off 27-24 home win over the Dolphins as 1.5-point dogs. Kickoff is set for 1:00 EST and can be found regionally on FOX. See below for our Cowboys vs. Panthers prediction, and keep up with all of our best Free NFL Picks.
Prescott is in MVP Talks for Dallas
The Dallas Cowboys are 2-2-1 on the year, but only a few plays away from having a better record, as they had their chances in the tie against Green Bay and the loss against Philadelphia. They are led by Dak Prescott, who came into this league with a dominant offensive line and Ezekiel Elliott playing the best football of his career. The Cowboys do not have the same talent around Prescott this season, but he is putting up strong numbers and carrying the offense, which is why he is hearing MVP chants from the crowd. In reality, Prescott is in an early two-man race with Tampa Bay's Baker Mayfield, but there is still a long season to go.
Prescott just threw for 237 yards in their win over the Jets, and finished the game with four touchdown passes and no interceptions. On the season, he is second in the NFL in passing yards with 1,356, to go with a 10-3 TD-INT ratio, and a completion rate at 70.4%. He is a capable runner, but does not look to scramble quite as much as he used to as Prescott has just 50 rushing yards on the year. Javonte Williams is their top tailback. He spent the first four seasons of his career with the Broncos before coming over to Dallas this year. Williams is 3rd in the NFL with 447 rushing yards and five touchdowns, and just went for 135 yards in the win over the Jets.
CeeDee Lamb missed the past two games with an ankle injury and is listed as questionable for this game, according to ESPN. George Pickens has taken over the top receiver spot in Lamb's absence, and has 23 grabs for 357 yards and five touchdowns through the first five games. The defense has ten sacks and just one interception through the first five games, led by defensive end James Houston with 3.5 sacks, but Houston is also questionable with a knee issue.
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Injury Report:
Out: WR Jonathan Mingo
Questionable: WR CeeDee Lamb, DE James Houston, CB DaRon Bland, CB Trevon Diggs, RB Miles Sanders, DE Dante Fowler Jr.
Panthers Hope to Spring Upset
The Carolina Panthers have been flying under the radar this season. They pulled off a surprising 30-0 win over the Falcons and are coming off a tight win over the Dolphins. The line makers in Vegas are giving the Panthers a chance here, as they are only 3.5-point underdogs here at home. The NFC South is as wide open as it usually is, and Carolina can find their way into the playoff race later in the season if they can get consistent play from their young quarterback. Last week against Miami, Bryce Young threw for 198 yards and two touchdowns with an interception in the three-point win.
Young is the former number one overall pick, but is seemingly always fighting for his spot as he has not impressed the coaching staff or ownership enough with his play. So far this season, he has 951 passing yards with a 7-4 TD-INT ratio, while completing just 60.9% of his passes. Young has 54 rushing yards on the season as he only leaves the pocket out of necessity. Rico Dowdle is a former-Cowboy, and is now the lead back in Carolina as he leads the team with 289 yards and two touchdowns. Chuba Hubbard would have been the starter, but he is out of this game with a lingering calf injury.
The Panthers are finally finding some success with their high draft picks, as Tetairoa McMillan is off to a strong start to his career with 24 catches for 351 yards to lead the team. McMillan is still looking for his first trip to the end zone as an NFL player. Their defensive unit has five sacks from five different players and four interceptions from four different players. Derrick Brown is their most imposing defender as a 6'5, 320-pound defensive lineman.
Injury Report:
Out: RB Chuba Hubbard, CB Akayleb Evans
Questionable: CB Mike Jackson, TE Ja'Tavion Sanders
Dallas Cowboys vs. Carolina Panthers picks
Spread pick and prediction for Cowboys vs. Panthers
- Panthers +3.5 (5 units)
The Cowboys have done well recently, but could potentially be looking forward to next week's game against Jayden Daniels and the Commanders, which will be America's Game of the Week on FOX. This game will not have the same type of energy around it, which is why the Panthers will be able to sneak up on the Cowboys and keep this one close. The Panthers have a relatively clean bill of health for this game, minus Chuba Hubbard, but Rico Dowdle will have extra juice in the backfield as he takes on his former team. The Cowboys did get embarrassed by the Bears earlier this season, CeeDee Lamb likely won't go here, and their defense has been nothing to brag about as they have given up 20 or more points every game this season. Carolina is a home dog getting over a field goal, and Bryce Young is running out of time to prove he is the guy for Carolina. Expect a strong showing here from the Panthers.
Take the Panthers with the points.
Over/Under Pick for Cowboys vs. Panthers
- Over 49.5 (4 units)
The Cowboys have not had a perfect season so far, but their recipe to keep it competitive has been to let Dak air out out as much as possible, as the Cowboys' defense gives up points left and right. Dak is second in the NFL in passing yards and has been limiting his turnovers. Carolina's defense does not have a single standout player with more than one sack or interception, so Prescott will have time and be able to see the field. This means Carolina is going to have to take chances on offense to keep up with the scoring, and the Carolina fans will have the place rocking as the team has a chance to get to 3-3 on the year. This will be a high-scoring battle.
Take the over.
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