'Carolina Cowboys'? Lowly Panthers Prep For Dallas' Rowdy Road Fans

Despite playing at home, the Carolina Panthers are practicing with a silent snap count in fear of Dallas Cowboys fans taking over Bank of America Stadium.

The Dallas Cowboys may be based in North Texas, but their fanbase truly spans across the entire country and possibly even the world.

As a result, the Cowboys can always count on having a solid fan presence even when they aren't in the home confines of AT&T Stadium. In some cases, Dallas fans can even take over opposing stadiums and make it feel more like a home game for the Cowboys.

The Carolina Panthers are doing everything they can to prepare for that possibility ahead of Sunday's game against the Cowboys at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte. On Friday, Panthers coach Frank Reich revealed that his team has practiced using a silent count in case Cowboys fans take over.

Cowboys linebacker Micah Parsons works against a Panthers lineman during a game at AT&T Stadium on Oct.3, 2021 / Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports

"I think everyone knows how well Dallas travels," Reich told reporters. "We have a great city that other teams' fans like to come to. ... We're prepared either way."

Of course, normally it's the other way around with the road team having to resort to silent counts in front of a rowdy home crowd. Given where these two teams are, though, it's not too surprising that the roles have reversed here.

Not only are the Panthers a much younger franchise than the Cowboys with less time to establish a fanbase, but they're also in a much smaller market. Additionally, Carolina has been struggling for the past few years with no playoff appearance since 2017, and at an NFL-worst 1-8 this season, that postseason drought will stretch even longer. Meanwhile, Dallas is sitting pretty at 6-3 and seems primed to make another playoff appearance.

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The Cowboys obviously can't overlook the Panthers, as it's the NFL and any team can upset another, but having their fans take over in Charlotte would be a big boost.