CHARLOTTE — A buzz zipped its way down the Panthers' sideline.

Carolina was facing fourth-and-4 from the plus-40-yard line, 2:31 remaining in a tie game against the NFL's No. 1 offense, the Dallas Cowboys.

The defense was ready, waiting to see if they'd need to go out after a punt and try to get the ball back one more time, when it became clear the offense was going for it. Corner Chau Smith-Wade laughed that some guys turned away, superstition not allowing them to watch, while Jaycee Horn walked to the edge of the field, looking for a front-row view.

The Panthers went empty on the fourth-down call, with Rico Dowdle , Tommy Tremble , and Xavier Legette working in from the right side of the line, and Tetairoa McMillan and Hunter Renfrow on the left side, with the latter in

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