Final

Cowboys linebacker Anthony Spencer just wrapped up the Cowboys third victory of the season in North Carolina. Spencer sacked Newton with just 19 seconds left, sealing the victory for the Cowboys.

Carolina was able to snap the ball one last time, but it was for naught as the Cowboys were able to stop them.

So in Charlotte, Dallas is able to hang on to beat the Panthers to improve to 3-3 on the season. With the loss, the Panthers drop to 1-5, effectively ending their hopes of making the playoffs.

1:49 4th Quarter

The Cowboys are in field goal range as they have the ball on the Panthers 24 yard line. Dallas is keeping the ball on the ground to force the Panthers to use timeouts.

One key play for the Cowboys was actually made by the refs. The Panthers were called for an illegal horse collar on Phillip Tanner that gave Dallas a new set of downs.

Looking at the replay, the defender did not place his hands inside of Tanners shoulder pads. He just used his arm and momentum to bring Tanner to the ground.

That extended the Cowboys drive and forced Carolina to use more timeouts.

2:08 4th Quarter

The Panthers were just stopped on fourth and two with a little over two minutes left in the fourth quarter.

On the previous play, Carolina actually converted but the Cowboys called a timeout. Dallas had at least 14 players on the field and were forced to call time.

The next play, the Panthers elected to pass and rookie Morris Claiborne broke up the conversion attempt.

Dallas has the ball at the two minute warning.

Again, can they hold on to win?

3:25 4th Quarter

The Cowboys have a lot of faith in their defense. On third and nine in Panthers territory, the Cowboys chose to run the ball instead of going for a touchdown.

They did not convert on third down and were forced to kick a field goal.

Bailey booted a 28 yarder to give Dallas a two point lead. That also gives the ball back to Cam Newton and the Panthers with just over three minutes remaining in the game.

On the Panthers last scoring drive, they took just 2:20 to score a touchdown.

Can the Cowboys defense hold on for the victory?

Patrick Smith/Getty Images

3:39 4th Quarter

Dez Bryant just dropped a touchdown pass for the second week in a row. As soon as the play was over, Bryant gets up to complain to the referees that he was interfered with.

Watch out fans, this game may turn out to be just like last week. Bryant has to remain composed after he makes a mistake.

7:41 4th Quarter

Dallas' issue with Cam Newton in this game has been their inability to get to him when he has to improvise. It is not an easy thing to do, just ask any defensive player who chases after Tony Romo when he spins out of a sack.

Newton is 6'5" and has a fast pair of feet. That is why he has so many rushing yards in this game.

But on that last Carolina drive, the Cowboys were able to do something they haven't done so well the entire game: Contain Cam Newton.

They forced the big quarterback out of the pocket and to his right. He had an open receiver in Brandon LaFell, but didn't see him in time to get rid of the ball before going out of bounds.

Dallas has the ball with seven minutes remaining in the fourth quarter after the Panthers were forced to punt.

Let's take a look at the penalty situation for both teams after Carr's holding penalty in the end zone on that last drive.

Cowboys: 6/43 Yards

Panthers: 6/46 Yards

Not many penalties on the day, but that last one against Carr may come back and haunt the Cowboys.

Anyone agree?

The 2012 Dallas Cowboys' motto: Refuse to win.

— Tim MacMahon (@espn_macmahon) October 21, 2012

TOUCHDOWN PANTHERS

From one yard out, the Panthers have scored a touchdown and taken the lead.

Panthers running back Mike Tolbert scored his second touchdown of the year to give the Panthers a one point lead.

11:43 4th Quarter

Here is where the Cowboys mental errors come into play.

Dallas held the Panthers to a third and goal and stopped them from scoring. But, cornerback Brandon Carr was called for holding, giving the Panthers a new set of downs on the goal line.

11:53 4th Quarter

The Panthers have the ball on the Cowboys five yard line for a second and goal.

Cam Newton and friends have a pretty nice driving going off of a strong rushing attack and play action passes.

Panthers driving..

Jeff Zelevansky/Getty Images

12:53 4th Quarter

Here is what I've observed so far in the game. Panthers running back Jonathan Stewart just broke for 21 yards.

Up until that point, the Cowboys defensive line has placed a wall up. Nose tackle Josh Brent has handled his duties up front really well and has stopped any big openings for the Panthers backs up until that 21 yard gain.

As the third quarter comes to an end, the Cowboys have lost center Phil Costa and linebacker Sean Lee to injuries.

We will see how their absences impact the game.

Lee has a right toe injury and is questionable to return.

— Derek Eagleton (@derekeagleton) October 21, 2012

Mitch Stringer-US PRESSWIRE

2:13 3rd Quarter

The Cowboys have increased their lead after a 49 yard field goal from kicker Dan Bailey.

Bailey's score culminated a six play, nine yard play that ate 3:27 off of the clock.

Dallas up by six.

4:07 3rd Quarter

Just a quite injury note, Dez Bryant is being checked out on the sideline for a head injury. I'll update on his return as soon as I can.

Oh, and this.

Study Says Addictions to Facebook, Twitter Stronger than Cigarettes, Alcohol or Making Love p.ost.im/p/dkYtMQ

— Boyce Watkins (@drboycewatkins1) October 21, 2012

There's this.

Josh Brent has been killing the CAR Center all day.

— Derek Eagleton (@derekeagleton)

 

6:20 3rd quarter

The Panthers rushing attack is faring about as well as the Cowboys. Well, at least their running backs are today. 

So far, Between DeAngelo Williams and Jonathan Stewart, they have just 18 yards rushing. Newton is the Panthers offense.

Carolina driving...

We have a good one going down in North Carolina as this game may turn out to be a pretty good game of checkers.

Romo's throw to Austin was a thing of beauty as he dropped the ball over Austin's outside shoulder like a tear drop.

Now, we'll see if Newton can respond with his legs or his arms.

Panthers ball.

Jeremy Brevard-US PRESSWIRE

TOUCHDOWN COWBOYS

Austin, again, with a huge play for the Cowboys. Romo found one of his favorite targets for a 26 yard touchdown.

Dallas back up by three points in the third quarter.

7:50 3rd quarter

Austin just made up for that fumble in the second quarter. Romo just found Austin for a 36 yard gain.

Cowboys driving...

8:59 3rd Quarter

The Cowboys offense looks...off in the second quarter.

Ogletree just dropped a wide open catch and they seem to be out of sorts. The running game hasn't made much noise as they have just 46 total yards on the ground.

Cowboys driving on the Panthers 37 yard line.

Dallas forces the Panthers to punt after DeMarcus Ware stops Jonathan Stewart on third and 14.

For the game, Ware has four solo tackles and six total for the game. Oh, and he has half a sack that he shares with Jason Hatcher.

Cowboys ball

10:15 3rd Quarter

That zone read has been Carolina's bread and butter all day and the Cowboys finally picked it up.

Linebacker DeMarcus Ware went unblocked and was able to pick up Newton and the Panthers running back Jonathan Stewart.

Panthers still have the ball.