Cowboys Dominate Second Half and Beat Panthers 21-7

The Cowboys overcame a lackluster first half and jumped on the Carolina Panthers to win their first game in their new stadium and improve to 2-1 with a 21-7 victory.

Jason Garrett finally accepted that the Cowboys need to run to be successful, as the ground attack led them to 212 yards. Felix Jones had 94 yards on eight carries but had to leave the game in the third quarter with a knee strain and returned for just one more play in which he didn't touch the ball.

That meant Tashard Choice was the only true running back the Cowboys had left, and he didn't disappoint, racking up 82 yards on 18 carries with a touchdown and a two point conversion.

Tony Romo shook off his last start and went 22-of-33 for 255 yards, and while he didn't throw a TD, he didn't throw an interception either and took what the Panthers gave him. Romo hit six different receivers and kept a few plays alive with his feet, including one where he avoided a sack, scrambled and threw across the field to Choice for a 19-yard gain.

Romo was pressured often in the first half, but the Cowboys' adjustments in the second half forced the Panthers to back off to try and stop the run, which opened up lanes for Williams, Witten and Patrick Crayton, who in addition to having three receptions for 44 yards, had a 27-yard punt return that set up the Cowboys' first score.

Witten caught nine passes for 77 yards and Williams caught four passes for 75 yards.

The Cowboys' defense also came alive, as they shut down the Panthers' running attack, holding them to 73 yards rushing as a team, including limiting DeAngelo Williams to 64 yards on 11 carries.

The Cowboys also held the Panthers without a first down for the entire third quarter. 

The Cowboys finally got their first sacks and turnovers of the season. Jay Ratliff got the Cowboys' first sack and rookie Victor Butler recorded two sacks on the Panthers' last drive and forced Jake Delhomme to fumble on the second sack, which Jason Hatcher recovered.

The secondary also excelled, stifling Jake Delhomme, who went 22-of-33 for 220 yards and one TD, but threw two interceptions. He was also pressured constantly and had to settle for a lot of short passes as a result.

Terence Newman shut down Steve Smith, who had just four catches for 38 yards. Newman also jumped a slant route by Smith and caught an interception in the fourth quarter, running it back 27 yards for a TD to put the game away. Mike Jenkins also had an interception while covering Mushin Muhammad, and Orlando Scandrick had a good game defending the slot with three tackles.

The Panthers scored their one TD when Dante Rosario got past Mike Jenkins for a 25-yard catch. Jenkins accepted responsibility for the TD, saying the team was in a cover three defense and he came up to cover Muhammad, which let Rosario get past him for the score.

Both teams committed too many penalties that cost them dearly. Panthers linebacker Jon Beason was called for two personal fouls after late tackles.

Jones was called for a leg whip which stalled one drive and backup tight end John Phillips was called for a false start on a fourth and one attempt from the goal line; Phillips' penalty forced the Boys back to the six and they had to settle for a field goal.

The Cowboys played a great second half but they need to channel it to an entire game and fix their penalty situation. Now they have to get ready for the 3-0 Denver Broncos. 

Check back tomorrow for the Cowboys' injury report.