CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — Rico Dowdle topped 200 yards from scrimmage for the second consecutive week — this time against his former team — as rookie kicker Ryan Fitzgerald nailed a 33-yard field goal as time expired to lift the Carolina Panthers past the Dallas Cowboys, 30–27, in a thrilling back-and-forth contest Sunday.

Bryce Young completed 17 of 25 passes for 199 yards and three touchdowns, two of them to rookie receiver Tetairoa McMillan, helping the Panthers (3–3) stay perfect at home this season at 3–0.

Dowdle powered Carolina’s offense with 183 rushing yards on 30 carries, adding four receptions for 56 yards and a score. The former Cowboy, who spent five seasons in Dallas before signing with the Panthers as a free agent, has now totaled 473 scrimmage yards over the past two weeks — a new franchise record.

McMillan, who entered the game still searching for his first NFL touchdown after catching 26 at the University of Arizona, broke through with scoring grabs of 19 and 2 yards.

Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott went 25 of 34 for 261 yards and three touchdowns, but Dallas (2–3–1) squandered a career-best performance from George Pickens, who hauled in nine receptions for 168 yards and a touchdown.

After the Cowboys tied the game late with a field goal, Young led the Panthers on a decisive 15-play, 71-yard drive that drained more than six minutes off the clock. At one point, Dallas attempted to let Carolina score to regain possession, but running back Trevor Etienne smartly went down short of the end zone after moving the chains.

Young then took two kneel-downs to position Fitzgerald for the game-winning kick.
On that final drive, Young went 3-of-4 for 25 yards, including a clutch 7-yard completion to Hunter Renfrow on fourth-and-4, while Dowdle chipped in 22 rushing yards on four carries.

Trailing 17–13 at halftime, Carolina opened the third quarter with an explosive four-play, 80-yard drive capped by Young’s 36-yard touchdown strike to Dowdle down the left sideline, giving the Panthers their first lead of the afternoon. Young later found McMillan again for another touchdown pass.

Young’s early turnover woes persisted — though this time through no fault of his own.
In the second quarter, McMillan let a pass slip through his hands, allowing Dallas safety Donovan Wilson to intercept it and return it 31 yards to the Carolina 13. Prescott capitalized moments later, connecting with Hunter Luepke for a 3-yard score on fourth-and-1 to put Dallas up 10–3.

McMillan, the No. 8 overall pick in this year’s draft, quickly redeemed himself with a 19-yard touchdown catch on the following possession — his first in the NFL.

But Dallas answered once again before halftime, exploiting Carolina’s coverage on tight ends as Jake Ferguson got loose down the seam for a 19-yard touchdown to give the Cowboys a 17–13 advantage at the break.