Canales Outsmarts Eberflus
While McMillan’s heroics hurt, the real dagger came from Panthers HC and play caller, Dave Canales, who completely outcoached Matt Eberflus for four quarters.
Carolina’s offensive game plan was simple but devastatingly effective: attack the edges, use motion to confuse the linebackers, and mix in well-timed play-action passes to keep the Cowboys guessing.
The result? Running back Rico Dowdle torched Dallas for over 200 scrimmage yards and a touchdown, gashing the defense with both power runs and short receptions out of the backfield.
The Cowboys’ defensive front looked slow to react, and their tackling was sloppy.
Time and again, Canales dialed up the perfect play to counter Eberflus’ calls, whether it was a screen pass against a blitz or a delayed draw against light fronts.
This wasn’t just a bad day at the office. It was a schematic beatdown.
Eberflus’ inability to adjust to what Canales was doing put the Cowboys in a hole they couldn’t climb out of.
Even Pickens’ monster performance wasn’t enough to overcome a defense that looked confused and reactive all game long.
In a league defined by parity, talent alone doesn’t win on Sundays. Matchups do.
Dallas won one, Pickens vs. Horn, and lost the other two decisively.
McMillan’s timely touchdowns and Canales’ masterful game plan exposed the Cowboys’ weaknesses in both coverage and coaching.
Until Dallas learns to consistently win these critical one-on-one and strategic battles, games like this will continue to slip away.