Through all this Jessica Simpson drama, there remains the fact that Dallas lost last week, and is still in a battle for homefield with Green Bay.  What all of this ridiculousness has managed to highlight is that the play of Tony Romo dictates whether or not the Cowboys win football games.  In Dallas’ two losses this season, Romo has thrown 2 touchdown passes with 4 interceptions while completing just 48% of his passes.  On the year Romo has completed 65% of his passes with a 2:1 touchdown-to-interception ratio.  Clearly, the quarterback is what makes this team go.

Dallas is winning over 80% of simulations by a 2 touchdown margin on average.  In these wins Romo is throwing for 2.2 touchdowns with just 1 interception.  In the 20% of simulations which result in losses Romo is throwing 1.5 touchdowns against 1.5 interceptions.  This underscores what has been true for the Cowboys all season: the play of the team is contingent on the play of Romo.  

With his quarterback expected to sort out his popstar problems and return to form on Saturday, receiver Terrell Owens should get back to producing on the field for over 90 yads receiving and a touchdown.  Fantasy owners of T.O. can not have been happy as the explosive wideout has been quiet in recent weeks, but he should have a big game against the Panthers.  Running backs Marion Barber and Julius Jones are forecasted to combine for nearly 120 yards rushing, but the Cowboys need to think seriously about changing this backfield timeshare.  Barber is averaging 5.1 yards per carry in simulations compared to just 3.5 yards per carry for Jones.  Barber is a punishing, physical runner that Dallas has underutilized all season.

Rookie quarterback Matt Moore won his first career start for Carolina last week, but he should find it tough going on Saturday.  The Cowboys rank eight in the NFL in total defense, and give up just over 20 points a contest.  Moore is expected to struggle with a forecasted passer rating of just 63.5, and he is throwing for twice as many interceptions as touchdowns on average.  The Panthers are projected to score just 15 points.  Running backs DeShaun Foster and DeAngelo Williams are rushing for 94 yards combined going against the 4th best run defense in the league.