Final thoughts
That was an eventful game if not a dramatic one, as the Panthers stay unbeaten and Tony Romo’s season may very much be in jeopardy after re-injuring his shoulder. And, indeed, there’s one more game coming soon but we’re signing off on our live NFL coverage for today. Thanks to all who spent a part of their Thanksgiving with us these past few hours, especially those who contributed to the blog. Ciao!
@HunterFelt Can you blog Bears-Packers, too? May be more competitive. The Favre number retirement ceremony alone may be more entertaining.
— Elena V (@amariselv) November 27, 2015
I won’t be liveblogging the Favre number retirement ceremony, but who knows about the ceremonies when the Vikings and Jets unretire it...
Carolina Panthers win!
Panthers 33-14 Cowboys, FINAL
The Panthers take over on downs and they will, indeed, go to 11-0. The undefeated season continues!
Panthers 33-14 Cowboys, :37, 4th quarter
Not that it matters, but the Cowboys don’t do anything with the bonus time and possession. The Panthers force a 4th & 33 situation, which shows that they’re not taking plays off.
This blogger has definitely taking plays off for the last half-hour, he won’t lie to you.
Blocked kick!
Panthers 33-14 Cowboys, 1:48, 4th quarter
Graham Gano comes out for a 33 yard field goal which is BLOCKED by Tyrone Crawford! Okay, that was entertaining enough to make it worth sticking around here. It’s a 35 yard return.
Panthers 33-14 Cowboys, 2:00, 4th quarter
Tolbert picks up a few yards, Stewart is dropped for a loss... It’s all about the clock here obviously.
In fact they get charged with a delay of game penalty because of this. Newton walks over to the sidelines to bring us to the two minute warning after the Cowboys force fourth down.
Panthers 33-14 Cowboys, 4:09, 4th quarter
Newton scrambles for a first down, taking the Panthers to the Cowboys 25. Guess what Dallas does with its third timeout here?
Panthers 33-14 Cowboys, 4:12, 4th quarter
Panthers start at the Dallas 36 after the penalty. Stewart runs for 6 yards.
COWBOYS TIMEOUT!
Stewart runs 4 yards.
COWBOYS TIMEOUT AGAIN!
Panthers 33-14 Cowboys, 4:23, 4th quarter
I guess the Cowboys go for an onside kick here? I don’t know. What’s the strategy when you have like a .05% chance of winning? Giving up isn’t really an acceptable option in the highest levels of sports.
Onside kick is recovered by Carolina’s Thomas Davis. There’s an offsides penalty on Dallas too, so yeah. We’re done here.
BUT FIRST ANOTHER TIMEOUT!
Touchdown (Cowboys)
Panthers 33-14 Cowboys, 4:23, 4th quarter
Oh god, just throw this meaningless touchdown Matt Cassel! An unsportsmanlike conduct penalty on Dez Bryant awards the Cowboys a first down on their three.
There we go. Touchdown Beasley. Good for them. And they make a two point conversion.
Panthers 33-6 Cowboys, 5:04, 4th quarter
Cassel-to-Beasley combine for a first down, to the 15 yard line. Cassel-to-Witten to the 9. The Panthers call a timeout.
@HunterFelt And I read that you approved of the Panthers unis but I have to question your taste. Like how many Smurfs were killed for those?
— Elena V (@amariselv) November 27, 2015
It’s more of a powdery blue than Smurfy blue, I think. Maybe I have fond Hornets unis memories?
Panthers 33-6 Cowboys, 6:39, 4th quarter
@HunterFelt The enjoyment I was receiving from the Dallas thumping dissipated in a flash. Hate to see Romo hurt again.
— Elena V (@amariselv) November 27, 2015
It’s taken all the joy out of it. This Cowboys drive to what will probably be a meaningless touchdown feels almost insulting.
Cassel attempts that touchdown right here, throwing deep to Dez Bryant. It’s no good. His much shorter throw to Beasley is good, it sets up a 3rd & 6.
Panthers 33-6 Cowboys, 6:46, 4th quarter
1st & 10: incomplete pass. 2nd & 10, McFadden gets 3 yards. 3rd & 7, Cassel targets Witten for a 14 yard old gain.
On 1st & 10 on the Carolina 44, Cassel ALMOST fumbles the ball but it’s called an incomplete pass. Williams nearly gets the first down on the next play. On 3rd & 1, McFadden runs it to the Carolina 27.
The Panthers call timeout.
Panthers 33-6 Cowboys, 9:25, 4th quarter
And a false start penalty on Dallas, who go shotgun. Cassel and Terrence Williams combine for a first down, they get to their own 39.
Time is starting to tick.
Panthers 33-6 Cowboys, 10:27, 4th quarter
Maybe if Romo was in the game, there would be some sort of fake drama here about the Cowboys taking advantage of his ability to mount comebacks. Not with Cassel. That’s not in his arsenal.
Cowboys at their own 20 yard line again.
Field Goal! (Panthers)
Panthers 33-6 Cowboys, 10:27, 4th quarter
The drive, however, stalls out at the Cowboys 34. Carolina decides to go for the 50 yard field goal attempt which is plenty good by Gano.
Panthers 30-6 Cowboys, 13:11, 4th quarter
Panthers start at their own 42 after Jones’s punt, great field position. Stewart runs for a yard. On the next down, they have to take a holding penalty.
So, 2nd & 19 back at their own 33 yard line. Newton goes DEEEEEEP to Olsen, who makes the catch. Just like that, they’re in the Cowboys’ 36.
Panthers 30-6 Cowboys, 14:13, 4th quarter
Matt Cassel is in for Romo, who we will not see again. His pass to McFadden doesn’t end up going long enough for a first down. Chris Jones punts.
Panthers 30-6 Cowboys, end of the 3rd quarter
Romo’s up but his arms looks very, very... It’s not good.
Panthers 30-6 Cowboys, :06, 3rd quarter
I buried the lede: Cam Newton did the Twist.
Cam Newton breaks out some classic dances pic.twitter.com/PZ6NRPGXCd
— The Cauldron (@TheCauldron) November 26, 2015
Gano’s kick goes in the end zone. Touchback. Romo throws incomplete. On 2nd and 10, he’s sacked...
And he lands on his injured shoulder. Oof. This could be bad.
Touchdown! (Panthers)
Panthers 30-6 Cowboys, :18, 3rd quarter
Panthers on the Cowboys 15. Stewart picks up five yards on first down, but is pushed back five yards on second down. Newton’s third down pass to Cotchery is good for a first down though and puts them at the Dallas 4. It’s looking like this penalty is going to be killer for the Cowboys.
Panthers call a 30 second timeout. Then Newton runs the ball in! Touchdown! The extra point is good! This might be over!
Panthers 23-6 Cowboys, 2:36, 3rd quarter
Until it doesn’t. Newton hits Cotchery for a 24 yard gain that brings Carolina to the Dallas 37. Fresh set of downs, obviously.
Newton’s first pass is incomplete. On 2nd down, Newton is able to pick up 7 yards. At the Dallas 30. 3rd and 3, Newton’s throw is incomplete.
It sets up a field goal try which is good but... There’s a penalty on the Dallas defense, unsportsmanlike conduct on Byron Jones who jumped and landed on a player! That’s an automatic first down! And 15 yards!
Panthers 23-6 Cowboys, 5:04, 3rd quarter
Hayden limps off the field and play resumes. On 2nd & 3, Stewart drags Randy Gregory about eight yards. That’ll be a first down, the Panthers are at their own 35.
Stewart is running again here, might see a lot of him the later it gets here, picking up 6 yards. Tolbert gets the ball next, picking up 5 yards himself for another first down.
Newton scrambles here, but Sean Lee sniffs it out and the Panthers lose two yards. 2nd & 12 on the Carolina 44. Rolando McClain then stuffs Stewart back 5 yards. Dallas D stepping up.
Panthers 23-6 Cowboys, 7:37, 3rd quarter
Jonathan Stewart gets to the 27 yard line and... there’s an injury for the Cowboys. It’s a leg injury on DE Nick Hayden. A timeout is called on the field.
Panthers 23-6 Cowboys, 7:47, 3rd quarter
The Panthers could have given themselves more cushion by taking advantage of starting the half off with the ball, instead it basically blew up and they’re lucky the Cowboys couldn’t convert.
A real long and productive possession here could go a long way in keeping their undefeated aspirations alive. They’ll start at their own 20 after a touchback.
Field Goal (Cowboys)
Panthers 23-6 Cowboys, 7:53, 3rd quarter
Romo targets Bryant again, and gets six yards in the deal. Then he hands it to McFadden who gets something like a yard. On 3rd & 3, Gavin Escobar takes a loss.
So it’s gonna be a field goal here when the Cowboys needed to put up 6. Dan Bailey makes the 48 yarder.
Panthers 23-3 Cowboys, 10:42, 3rd quarter
McFadden gets the ball, and gets tackled for a three yard loss. Romo passes on the next play, a completion to Dez Bryant, who gets 20 yards on the play and moves them to the Carolina 35.
Panthers 23-3 Cowboys, 11:35, 3rd quarter
Panthers punt from their 2. It’s a 58 yard punt that Lucky Whitehead returns 8 yards to the Dallas 48.
Derry Ledoux emails us, he’s skeptical about Tony Romo. Which is fair enough, considering his game so far:
Only Tony Romo throws deep into a nickel defense. Stephen Smith is right: the Cowboys will find a way to blow it. Romo’s problem is that he’s a gun-slinger. He’ll never change. Brady will dink and dunk his way down the field until the Pats score. It’s beneath the dignity of Tony to do so. He’s such a fool.
Updated
Panthers 23-3 Cowboys, 12:17, 3rd quarter
Newton scrambles for three yards. Newton throws incomplete on second down, and the Panthers get hit for a penalty. Holding, 10 yard penalty.
1st & 20 on their on 22. Newton throws incomplete. 2nd & 20, Newton fumbles... but falls on it. 3rd and 22. The Cowboys sack Newton for a loss of 18 yards!
That’s all that Dallas could have hoped for there.
Panthers 23-3 Cowboys, 13:52, 3rd quarter
And, oh thank god, we have real football! Panthers start the game at their own 20 after a touchback. Jonathan Stewart pulls off a six yard run. Picks up three on 2nd down, and then just gets the first down on 3rd down.
Syrian refugees took one look at this halftime show & turned the boat around
— Thanksgiving Smoke (@attackerman) November 26, 2015
This the worst halftime show I ever seen in my life
— Henn Griffey Jr. (@IAMKRIS24) November 26, 2015
Something called Luke Bryan just said “This is your kind of night Dallas.” Yep, they even got the halftime show they deserve.
— Darin Gantt (@daringantt) November 26, 2015
I don’t know who Luke Bryan is but he’s the worst performer of this game so far and will be even if Romo throws like six more interceptions.
You literally stole my halftime thoughts. #Cowboys @HunterFelt #TonyRomo @jarpad pic.twitter.com/la0BteF9GS
— Sharon Ten Haaf (@SharonTH20) November 26, 2015
My apologies, I shall use my mind-reading powers for good and not evil from here on out. Or at least neutrally.
LUUUUUUUUUUUUUUKE #CARvsDAL https://t.co/ZA1XRSrGLV
— NFL Network (@nflnetwork) November 26, 2015
Halftime thoughts
Well, I was expecting a lot closer to game and it kinda was looking like a field goal game and then... and then Tony Romo threw two straight interceptions to the same Panthers player. Yes, they managed to limit them to a field goal, but moral victories aren’t really worthwhile when you desperately need an actual victory to even pretend there’s a chance to make the postseason.
Your thoughts on this game? The NFL in general? Have some Thanksgiving stories you want to share or some Tony Romo jokes? I’ll be here, email them to Hunter.Felt@theguardian.com or tweet them to @HunterFelt.
Halftime
The Cowboys have some problems dude.
Field Goal (Panthers)
Panthers 23-3 Cowboys, end of the first half
And Newton’s throw is... incomplete. But there’s flags. But there’s no penalty on the play. So, field goal time.
Gano’s 20 yard field goal is...
Oh there’s more flags. False start on the offense. Five yard penalty, so it’s now 25 yards. It’s still good.
Panthers 20-3 Cowboys, :07, 2nd quarter
Newton throws to Olsen in the end zone, but it’s swatted away by Byron Jones. 2nd and goal at the 2. Newton throws incomplete again. Could be a moral victory just to force the Panthers to settle for a field goal here.
3rd and goal at the 2. Seven seconds left.
And the Cowboys use their second timeout.
Panthers 20-3 Cowboys, :16, 2nd quarter
*checks Twitter* My god, it’s full of Romo jokes.
Stewart picks up a first down, getting the ball to the Dallas 17. He then sneaks through some stifling defense to squeeze out three yards. Newton just tosses the ball to the end zone on the next play, but he picks up a first down by throwing to Cotchery at the 2.
The Panthers use a timeout.
Panthers 20-3 Cowboys, 2:00, 2nd quarter
Panthers start at the Dallas 29. Stewart goes off for a 7 yard run which takes us to the two minute warning.
Cowboys fans are beyond stunned. I am kinda stunned.
Updated
Interception! (Panthers)
Panthers 20-3 Cowboys, 2:23, 2nd quarter
YOU HAVE TO BE ABSOLUTELY F’ING KIDDING ME! KUECHLY PICKS OFF ROMO FOR THE SECOND STRAIGHT TIME!
It really is Groundhog Day again! HOLY HECK WHAT IS GOING ON?
Panthers 20-3 Cowboys, 2:36, 2nd quarter
Oh right. I was thinking all this time about great quarterback Tony Romo I forgot about Interception Prone Tony Romo. This, this, completely changes the complexion of the game.
I mean, of course it does.
The kickoff goes into the end zone and it’s Groundhog Day again for the Cowboys who start from their own 20 again.
Pick six (Panthers)
Panthers 20-3 Cowboys, 2:36, 2nd quarter
Cowboys are starting, of course, at their own 20. Romo hands off to McFadden who is pushed back for no gain. Romo throws... AND HE’S PICKED OFF ONCE AGAIN!
LUKE KUECHLY TAKES IT INTO THE END ZONE!
Gano’s extra point is good!
Updated
Panthers 13-3 Cowboys, 3:27, 2nd quarter
Panthers kickoff goes out of the end zone for a touchback. I actually wrote that before it happened. I just sorta assume that by now.
Field Goal (Panthers)
Panthers 13-3 Cowboys, 3:27, 2nd quarter
Aaaand the Panthers lose two of them on the next play, an unsuccessful Stewart run. Then a productive Panthers pass gets wiped away after they’re called for an illegal shift.
On 2nd and 17, Newton scrambles for 6 yards. He then picks up 5 yards, mainly to make a field goal try just a smidgen easier.
Graham Gano, who has nothing to do with the Violent Femmes, comes out for a 43 yard field goal which is good.
Panthers 10-3 Cowboys, 6:45, 2nd quarter
Lawrence gets off the field on his own. That’s the good news for Dallas. The bad news, Carolina converts the 3rd and 1. Mike Tolbert picks up 3 yards.
Panthers 10-3 Cowboys, 7:05, 2nd quarter
Shotgun time! Newton hits Olsen for six yards, then hits Funchess for 15. It’s 1st and 10 at the Dallas 41. Newton hits Cotchery for an additional 2 yards. A lot of hitting here.
Jonathan Stewart then goes off for a 7 yard run to bring them to the Dallas 32 and...
There’s an injured Cowboy on the play, DeMarcus Lawrence,stopping the clock.
Panthers 10-3 Cowboys, 9:14, 2nd quarter
Panthers are able to start at their own 27 and, ugh, here’s Greg Hardy. This game instantly becomes less fun.
Newton picks up 11 yards on his own to get Carolina to their own 36.
Panthers 10-3 Cowboys, 9:25, 2nd quarter
Romo, under duress, throws to Dez Bryant incomplete. Then there’s some movement, a false start is called on the Cowboys now. First on Dallas. So it’s 2nd & 15. Romo throws to Turbin who gets wrapped up for something close to nothing.
3rd & 14. Romo overthrows Bryant. That’s going to be that. Punt time! Jones’s pnt bounces and hits a Panthers player, stress time, but Dean Marlowe is able to fall on it and retain possession.
Panthers 10-3 Cowboys, 11:08, 2nd quarter
Brad Norton’s punt goes 22 yards. Cowboys will start at their own 16. Robert Turbin makes an appearance here, and runs for 8 yards. On 2nd and 2 he...
Just makes first down? The referees say yes.
Panthers 10-3 Cowboys, 12:37, 2nd quarter
Panthers get back into Dallas territory with a 12 yard gain thanks to Brenton Bersin, but they still need 8 more yards to pick up what they lost for the holding call. Newton’s next pass is incomplete and then Carolina gets called for a delay of game penalty, that’s another five yards.
There are a number of things here that are not going well for the Panthers. It’s 3rd and 13 here from the Dallas 48. Newton scrambles but can only pick up 10 and the Panthers have to punt.
Panthers 10-3 Cowboys, 13:48, 2nd quarter
The Panthers convert the first down, Newton throws to Devin Funchess to encroach Dallas territory. Newton runs for eight yards...
But a holding penalty negates that. Panthers are back at their own 43.
Panthers 10-3 Cowboys, 15:00, 2nd quarter
.@nfl @dallascowboys YOU COULDN'T HAVE CHALLENGED THE PLAY DURING THAT LONG COMMERCIAL BREAK BETWEEN QUARTERS?!?!?!
— Every Tweet Ever (@EveryTweet_Ever) November 26, 2015
Yeah, it was also a foolish challenge as it was a clear catch, the Cowboys lose a timeout as well they should. WE CAN’T GET OUR TIME BACK!
Newton throws to Jonathan Stewart who picks up 7 yard and moves the Panthers to midfield.
Panthers 10-3 Cowboys, 15:00, 2nd quarter
And entire quarter of football without a penalty or a flag being thrown? It’s a Thanksgiving miracle.
Oh know, never mind, the Cowboys are challenging the Olsen catch. THANKSGIVING IS CANCELLED.
Panthers 10-3 Cowboys, end of the 1st quarter
Newton almost throws an interception on 1st and 10. Eek. It’s just an incomplete pass however. Then Jonathan Stewart runs and gets nowhere, like a Bruce Springsteen narrator. Newton throws to Olsen...
Who makes a spectacular catch for a 24 yard gain! The Panthers will be at their own 44 yard line to start the second quarter.
Panthers 10-3 Cowboys, 1:25 1st quarter
Bailey’s kickoff goes into the endzone. Another touchback.
Cowboys head coach Jason Garrett was arguing that the referees missed a pass interference call on that Beasley catch.
Field goal (Cowboys)
Panthers 10-3 Cowboys, 1:25 1st quarter
1st and goal! McFadden can only squeeze out just about two yards. 2nd and goal on the 6. Romo’s throw is incomplete. 3rd and goal... Romo’s throw to Beasley almost looks like it’s going to fall in the wrong hands, instead it’s a catch at the 3 but it’s 4th down.
They’re gonna have to settle for a field goal here. Bailey’s 21 yarder is good and Dallas is on the board.
Panthers 10-0 Cowboys, 3:17 1st quarter
McFadden picks up a single yard on 1st down. 2nd and 9 at the Carolina 18. Romo hits Beasley again for a first down. They’re at the Panthers 7!
Panthers 10-0 Cowboys, 4:37 1st quarter
On 1st down, McFadden picks up two yards. Romo targets the end zone on the next down, but the play breaks down. 3rd and 8. Romo hands off to McFadden who just makes a 14 yard run...
The ball comes out, but that’s after the whistle. Dallas now at the Carolina 19.
Panthers 10-0 Cowboys, 6:12, 1st quarter
McFadden gives the Dallas crowd it’s first big cheer by going off for a 21 yard run. Cowboys are at their own 41 in just one play.
McFadden picks up 3 yards on his first down run. Romo then targets Lucky Whitehead for 4 yards and, on 3rd and short, he targets Cole Beasley who picks up 17 yards and makes it to the Carolina 35.
Panthers 10-0 Cowboys, 8:14, 1st quarter
Well, it’s a moral victory for Dallas? That looked like the Panthers were at least going to get into the Dallas red zone.
Another kickoff goes into the end zone. Another touchback. Another start at the 20 for the Cowboys.
Field goal (Panthers)
Panthers 10-0 Cowboys, 8:14, 1st quarter
Stewart picks up another four yards. 2nd and 6, Newton throws incomplete. 3rd and 6, Newton passes again... Also incomplete. A crucial stop here from Dallas, stranding Carolina at their 31 yard line.
They settle for a 49 yard field goal attempt courtesy of Graham Gano and it is good.
Panthers 7-0 Cowboys, 9:47, 1st quarter
The Panthers are now just around midfield, the Cowboys 49 says the infographic. Newton passes to Greg Olsen for a gain of 7 yards. Then, Jonathan Stewart continues his daily show with a seven yard run for a first down. Slicing through this defense like a butter knife. The Panthers are at the Cowboys 35.
Panthers 7-0 Cowboys, 11:04, 1st quarter
After Chris Jones’s punt, Cam Newton and the Panthers take the offense for the first time at their own 22 yard line. Newton hands over to Jonathan Stewart for a gain of 5 yards. On 2nd and 5, Sean Lee tackles Newton. No gain. 3rd and 5, Newton throws to Jerricho Cotchery for a gain of 23 yards and a first down.
Panthers 7-0 Cowboys, 12:40, 1st quarter
McFadden runs again on first down... and he’s pushed back for a three yard loss by Panthers linebacker Luke Kuechly. Romo throws on 2nd and 14 to Jason Witten and is able to get about 12 yards back to set up a manageable 3rd & 2. However, Romo’s throw is incomplete and the Cowboys have to punt.
Panthers 7-0 Cowboys, 14:o1, 1st quarter
The Panthers kickoff goes into the end zone again and the Cowboys again will start from their own 20.
Panthers 7-0 Cowboys, 14:22, 1st quarter
Okay. That was not ideal for Dallas. The good news is that they’ll get a second chance here, albeit already in the hole.
Updated
Pick six! (Panthers)
Panthers 7-0 Cowboys, 14:22, 1st quarter
Darren McFadden makes it to the 24 yard line before Charles Johnson takes him down. Romo throws to Dez Bryant on 2nd down, but Bryant can’t corral it. 3rd down and 6... and Romo throws an interception which is caught by Kurt Coleman who takes it into the endzone for a touchdown!
The point after is good! WHAT A START FOR CAROLINA!
Opening kickoff
Panthers 0-0 Cowboys, 15:00, 1st quarter
The kickoff is into the endzone. The Cowboys will start from their own 20. Let’s do this thing.
Wise move from Carolina. ALWAYS DEFER. I know long-time readers of my NFL liveblogs will be tired of me saying this but I’m a firm believer in this. Getting the ball to start the second half is a huge thing, especially if you can end the first half on a score.
Coin toss
I think I’ve exhausted pretty much everything I had in preparation for this game. It’s okay, here comes the coin toss.
It’s heads. Carolina wins and they choose to defer. The Cowboys will be receiving the opening kickoff.
Dallas Cowboys inactives
Cowboys inactives: WR Brice Butler, CB Mo Claiborne, RB Trey Williams, LB Mark Nzeocha, OG Ron Leary, TE Geoff Swaim, DE Ryan Russell.
— Brandon George (@DMN_George) November 26, 2015
Carolina Panthers inactives
#Panthers Inactives for #CARvsDAL: WR Brown, CB Tillman, RB Wegher, RB Artis-Payne, LS Aiken, WR Norwood, DE Delaire.
— Carolina Panthers (@Panthers) November 26, 2015
The Panthers Are The Most Fun Team In The League Exhibit B:
Cam Newton will reportedly wear customized 'Dabbing' cleats vs. Cowboys https://t.co/sXQloPiabK pic.twitter.com/aYEAIg1amN
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) November 26, 2015
Hello?
For the record, I too am a firm believer in the Panthers being the most fun team in the NFL. If you’re not on board with this, well here’s Exhibit A:
@HunterFelt PREPARE TO FEEL THE COLOR RUUUUSH
— Shane Bua (@ThatShaneBua) November 26, 2015
You know what, while these new ultra-vivid special uniforms have mostly been eyesores, I don’t mind the ones for the Panthers or the Cowboys.
.@Panthers. @dallascowboys. And new @usnikefootball uniforms. Next. #CARvsDAL #ColorRush pic.twitter.com/ugNLJiVhRq
— NFL (@NFL) November 26, 2015
Updated
Predictions
Okay, it’s about time for predictions. It’s tempted to look at the records and say that this should be an easy Panthers win, but the Cowboys really are a different team with Romo as the quarterback and I have to think Carolina are due to drop a game or two here in the regular season at some point. Maybe Cowboys 30-27. I’m expecting this to be a close one. If it’s anything like the Lions/Eagles game this is going to be a bit of a slog.
Agree? Disagree? Email your predictions to hunter.felt@theguardian.com or tweet them to @HunterFelt and we’ll use them here.
Later tonight
There’s one more game after this one, that will be the Chicago Bears (4-6) vs the Green Bay Packers (7-3) who are playing the Game People On The East Coast Will Probably Fall Asleep To. (Another Thanksgiving tradition.)
Note to social media managers of NFL teams, think carefully about the messages you’re sending out whenever you’re thinking of making holiday-related tweets.
bruhhhhhhhhh https://t.co/gVGhurtzSX
— OHB (@ohholybutt) November 26, 2015
Detroit Lions defeat the Philadelphia Eagles
If you missed the early game, well you didn’t miss anything. The Detroit Lions, playing their traditional Thanksgiving game, just finished demolishing the Philadelphia Eagles 45-14. Yet another horrendous holiday for Eagles quarterback Mark Sanchez, whose infamous Buttfumble back with the New York Jets also took place on a Thanksgiving.
Preamble
Welcome to a Very Special Thanksgiving Edition of the Guardian’s NFL liveblog! My name’s Hunter Felt and I’m honored to be spending a chunk of my holiday time with you fine folks while we indulge in one of the greatest Thanksgiving traditions: the Mystery Science Theater 3000 Turkey Day Mar-
No, no, wait. We’re not doing that.
Instead, we’re talking about an even more storied Thanksgiving tradition: NFL football! Specifically, we’ll be covering the day’s marquee match-up between the Carolina Panthers and the Dallas Cowboys.
The biggest story here is that MVP candidate Cam Newton and the Panthers are seeking to remain undefeated, as a win this afternoon at AT&T Stadium would improve their record to 11-0. I’m not sure a lot of people predicted that around the preseason.
Meanwhile, the 3-7 Cowboys are just desperately trying to keep their possible playoff hopes afloat. Yes, mostly because they’re in the NFC East, they actually have a shot of making the playoffs, in the sense that Snow still has a shot of coming up with a hit follow-up to “Informer.”
The good news is that they legitimately do have a chance to at least win the game, and halt the Panthers’ streak, with Tony Romo back in the quarterback position and not the likes of Matt Cassel and Brandon Weeden. (Also: Yes, Greg Hardy is still in the roster. Yes, this is still absolutely horrendous and indefensible.)
Can you think of a better way to spend this Thanksgiving? (No, spending time with your loved ones is not an acceptable answer here.) You can chime in with your thoughts, comments and your own stories by sending them here throughout the game, either emailing them to Hunter.Felt@theguardian.com or tweeting @HunterFelt.
It’s the Carolina Panthers at the Dallas Cowboys at AT&T Stadium. The game’s set to kickoff in about 45 minutes, but we’ll be back before then with updates, predictions and absolutely no barely informed political debates.
Hunter will be here shortly, in the meantime here’s DJ Gallo’s thoughts on the Panthers:
With six games left in the season, the Carolina Panthers are on pace to make history. Yes, there’s the opportunity to go 16-0, which would be an impressive feat indeed. But the Panthers are threatening to do something far more notable, something that was thought to be impossible in Roger Goodell’s NFL. They could be ... hold onto your butts ... an NFL team that is legitimately fun.
If you are not entertained by Cam Newton’s outstanding play this year, or if you don’t like that his performance on the field has allowed him to dance in the end zone and wear a fox tail from his personal end zone, then you can save yourself some time and click away from this column straight away. Maybe there’s an article somewhere out there championing Andy Dalton for looking out for America’s children and the “integrity” of the game as it faces an onslaught of harmless post-game comments. A column like that, or your angry aunt’s Facebook feed, might be more your style.
For the rest of the sports world, Cam Newton is entertaining. He’s fun. Believe it or not, entertainment and fun is kind of what draws most fans to sports in the first place. No little kid falls in love with football over concussions, TV timeouts, uniform violations, charity initiatives that give little money to charity, daily fantasy controversies, Greg Hardy, tone deaf commissioners, incomprehensible rules on what constitutes a catch, torn ligaments, missed extra points, touchbacks, backup quarterbacks or endless video replay. Yet all that is increasingly what defines the NFL. If not for players and personalities like Cam Newton, who actually dare to openly enjoy the game, the modern NFL would easily supplant church as Sunday’s most yawn-inducing institution.
