From James Alder,
Your Guide to Football.
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Jan 4 2004

The Dallas Cowboys, led by new head coach Bill Parcells, pulled a tremendous turnaround in 2003, surprising most by qualifying for this year’s NFL playoffs. But ultimately, they just didn’t have enough to get by the NFC South Division Champion Carolina Panthers, who, fueled by a suffocating defense and a surprisingly potent offense, ended the Cowboys’ season with a 29-10 victory in the first round of the 2003-04 playoffs.

The play of Carolina’s defense was not unexpected, but the ease with which the Panthers moved the ball through the air against the league’s top-ranked defense was a bit of surprise. Quarterback Jake Delhomme consistently took advantage of blitzes by the Cowboys defense as he racked up 273 yards and a touchdown through the air.

Stephen Davis ran for 104 yards, including a 23-yard touchdown run in the second quarter that opened up a 13-0 lead. Wide receivers Steve Smith and Muhsin Muhammad also cracked the 100-yard mark with 135 and 103 yards receiving respectively. Placekicker John Kasay tied a post-season record by kicking five field goals.

Panthers defensive tackle Kris Jenkins spent a good portion of the game in the Cowboys backfield, disrupting running plays and pressuring quarterback Quincy Carter. The defense never let the Cowboys get anything going on the ground and held them to just 204 total net yards.

Leading 16-3 entering the second half, Carolina all but put the game away in the third quarter by holding the Cowboys to zero yard of offense during the period while adding another touchdown via a 32-yard touchdown strike from Delhomme to Smith. Dallas added a touchdown midway through the final quarter on a nine-yard run by Carter, but they never really threatened to get back in the game.

Carolina, who did not commit a turnover or penalty during the entire game, will play the Kansas City Chiefs in next weekend’s divisional playoffs.