The Dallas Cowboys have the opportunity to have a winning record for the first time all year if they can beat the Carolina Panthers in Week 6. Considering the injuries, drama, and trade of an All-Pro Talent right before the season started, that’s no small achievement. 

If they’re going to do so, it will likely be due to another explosive performance from the offense. Let’s take a look at two offensive players to watch from both Dallas and Carolina as they look to take home the W on Sunday. 

Jaydon Blue, RB, Dallas

We’ve talked about Blue quite a bit this week already, mostly while summarizing his NFL debut from last week against the New York Jets. In case you haven’t read any of our pieces yet (you should, they’re good!) Blue had seven yards on four carries. 

Uninspiring, but on his longest carry of the day, he gained six yards while showing the short area quickness and initial burst that made him an interesting draft prospect. But, it’s the other running backs on the Dallas roster that make Blue particularly interesting this week.

Javonte Williams has looked reborn this year, but has already recorded 79 carries, putting him on pace for a career-high 269. With Miles Sanders out for the season now, he simply has to be.

If Blue can be a younger, more dynamic compliment to Williams than what Sanders can offer, that would be huge for both this season and ones beyond the current campaign. Look for Dallas to continue trying to get Blue going on Sunday. 

Jake Ferguson, TE, Dallas

While this may seem obvious, Ferguson deserves his flowers. After not catching a touchdown for 23 straight games, he’s caught three in the last two games. 

Beyond that, his 41 receptions are 12 more than the next closest player at his position, Trey McBride of the Arizona Cardinals. He also has the second-highest target share out of all players at his position at 24.62%. 

Again, Ferguson is an obvious choice for an article like this. But, as the Cowboys continue their improbable march to continued relevance, the tight end will continue to play a large role. 

Rico Dowdle, RB, Carolina

Cowboy fans are more than familiar with Dowdle. In his four seasons with Dallas, he was solid but unspectacular, even as he amassed 1,079 yards on the ground last season. 

So, it may have been surprising to see him get over 200 rushing yards last week while starting for an injured Chuba Hubbard. He also threw in 28 yards on three catches for good measure. 

With Hubbard not in uniform during practice on Thursday, it’s looking more and more likely that Dowdle will reprise his role from last week. Even if he does play, he's recorded zero explosive runs or missed tackles forced on his 53 carries according to Fantasy Points Data.

With that in mind, Dowdle provides a more explosive threat by default and should continue to get more touches even if Hubbard plays.  If that’s the case, the Dallas defense will have their hands full with a familiar face.

Bryce Young, QB, Carolina

I know, I know. Picking the opposing starting QB as a player to watch isn’t exactly insightful, but hear me out. 

Carolina’s best games, its two wins, are the ones where he isn’t asked to do too much, such as their Week 3 30-0 win over the Atlanta Falcons. In that game he completed 66.7% of his passes for 121 yards without turning it over once and running in a touchdown. 

Last week against the Miami Dolphins, Young completed 63% of his passes for 198, two TDs, a pick, and a fumble. Solid, but unspectacular, as Dowdell led the comeback effort in that game. 

His best statistical game, Week 2 against the Arizona Cardinals, came in a 27-22 loss, while the other two losses were turnover ridden and saw Young throw for less than 154 yards each game. 

So, what does all of this mean? It shows that, if Dallas can force Young to throw, they’ll have a good shot but will still need to stop Dowdell. 

Making Carolina one dimensional has been a tried and true formula ever since Young was drafted, and shouldn’t be strayed away from on Sunday.