Previously we broke down both team’s offense and defense for the upcoming game between the Dallas Cowboys and Carolina Panthers. Now we dive back into the position battleground, this time looking at how some of each team’s rookie class stack up against each other. (Grades for each player are the overall offensive or defensive grade handed out by PFF.com)

Tyler Guyton

First Round
Guyton didn’t play last week with an ankle sprain. He may actually play in this week’s game as he has practiced in full this week, but some comments coming from the organization hint that the chance of him playing this week is remote. Keep a close eye on the inactive list on game day.
Grade: 49.2

Marshawn Kneeland

Second Round
Kneeland was back on the field last week in a limited role. He played 23 snaps and made two tackles. Look for him to continue a rotational role at the moment.
Grade: 55.1

Cooper Beebe

Third Round
Beebe missed the second half last week and was having a good game up until then. He has already been ruled out this week as he tries to clear concussion protocol.

Grade: 64.4

Marist Liufau

Third Round
Watching Liufau develop these past few weeks is exciting. Using his speed and burst to come in and create extra pressure on passing downs is fun to watch, and leading the team last week in sacks is a positive stepping stone to him creating a unique role for himself among the Dallas linebackers. He has a tough ask this week though as the Panthers offensive line have allowed the fourth-fewest sacks.
Grade: 46.5

Caelen Carson

Fifth Round
Moved to Injured Reserve
Grade: 39.7

Ryan Flournoy

Sixth Round
Flournoy showcased his straight line speed last week as a gunner on special teams. He was great at getting downfield quickly and shutting down return options. Expect much the same from him for now.
Grade: 59.4

Brevyn Spann-Ford

UDFA
Ford saw his snap count go down last week with the return of Jake Ferguson. He’s proven to be a good run blocker and as the TE3 that will really be his key role on offense. Other than that his other role on special teams will keep him busy.
Grade: 56.7

Carolina Panthers

Xavier Legette

First Round
It’s been a tough start for the standout South Carolina receiver. He’s only managed 39 receptions for 432 yards this year, but he’s hampered by a generally poor roster. Having Bryce Young back at quarterback raised his stock a little, but he’s yet to score a touchdown now in five weeks.
Grade: 59.5

Jonathon Brooks

Second Round
Moved to Injured Reserve
Grade: 51.5

Trevin Wallace

Third Round
The young Kentucky linebacker was pushed into a starting role this year due to injury. Now he will miss this week’s game due to a shoulder injury and that creates a huge headache for the Panthers coaching staff as the linebacker position is already thin.
Grade: 56.0

Ja’Tavion Sanders

Fourth Round
This Longhorns tight end was never a huge blocker in college but he’s a fast and reliable receiver. This year he has 302 receiving yards and one touchdown, which isn’t bad considering the offense he has to work with. The most receptions he has in a game this season came against Washington where he had six catches.
Grade: 55.0

Chau Smith-Wade

Fifth Round
Another player that moved into a starting role due to injury. You’ll find Wade defending the slot primarily on the Panthers defense. He allows a 70% completion rate and is third on defense in penalties. Facing Lamb in the slot will be interesting to watch, especially given the fact that this Panthers defense has given the second-most receiving touchdowns this year.
Grade: 53.4

DALLAS – It will be a warm December weekend in Dallas-Fort Worth and some people could even see rain.

Saturday morning will be gray and humid for most of the area, but some areas to the east of Dallas will see rain.

We expect to see the sun in the afternoon as a weak front makes its way through from the northwest.

When the sun returns, temperatures will start near 60 and will climb close to 70 for much of the area.

It will be a great afternoon and evening to do things outdoors.

Clouds will return on Sunday and there is a low chance for some rain showers. By the afternoon there will be some breaks in the clouds and temperatures will climb back to 70 or higher.

DOWNLOAD THE FREE FOX LOCAL APP

Another cold front will move in overnight Sunday into Monday, with a batch of showers possible for about 50 to 60 percent of the area.

Live Radar: North Texas

7-Day Forecast

Monday will start very warm, with temperatures in the 60s. 

Tuesday is expected to also have temperatures in the 60s before a cold front makes its way through. The front is expected to bring rain from Tuesday night into Wednesday, with a return of north winds and cooler air by the afternoon.

Temperatures should return to normal with highs in the mid to upper 50s by the later part of the week.

First Shift 🏒

The great thing about playing an NHL schedule is that there is always a chance to overcome your mistakes.

The Stars had a bad game on Thursday – losing 4-1 to Nashville and generally failing in all aspects of the contest. Now, in a 1-3-0 slump, they get a chance to bounce back at home against the St. Louis Blues on Saturday.

“It will be great to get back at it and redeem ourselves from last game,” said forward Wyatt Johnston.

While forward Sam Steel added: “Playing every other day, you can’t let one game define you. We didn’t like what we brought last night, but 48 hours later, we’ve got a chance to redeem ourselves.”

The Stars are 17-11-0, including 11-2-0 at American Airlines Center, so there’s no need to panic, but coach Pete DeBoer said he understands when the fans (or media) do.

“You guys don’t help,” DeBoer joked after Friday’s practice when asked if it’s difficult to stay calm.

But the veteran coach said it’s the job of those inside the dressing room to understand the ups and downs of an 82-game season and react accordingly.

“It’s not easy,” he said. “I’m sure there were people in the stands last night watching and saying, ‘Blow the whole thing up.’ You’ve got to fight that urge and know that it’s a marathon and not a sprint and look at the underlying numbers and the entirety of the picture. That’s experience that teaches you that.”

After two trips to the Western Conference Final and finishing second in the NHL in points last season, the Stars currently sit 12th in points percentage at .607. However, they are fifth in goals against at 2.61, fifth in penalty kill at 82.7 percent and sixth in goal differential at plus-20. That’s arguably below expectations, but those also are pretty good numbers.

So coming off a lopsided loss to Nashville, the Stars are expected to be motivated.

“We’re not going to overreact to a really poor game,” DeBoer said. “It’s an uncharacteristic night.”

“I don’t think anyone is happy with our performance, particularly with it being a divisional game,” DeBoer added. “We’ve got some really good teams on our docket over the next few weeks.”

And while the big picture is huge, the details are also important. Veteran defenseman Dumba is out with an upper-body injury, so rookie Lian Bichsel is expected to continue to get more games. In the meantime, the lines are hoping to continue to build chemistry with Seguin out 4-6 months. The top line currently has Roope Hintz centering Jason Robertson and Johnston. The second line is Duchene with Marchment and Logan Stankoven. The third line has Steel centering Benn and Evgenii Dadonov. And the fourth line has Mavrik Bourque with Oskar Bäck and Colin Blackwell.

While DeBoer said he can juggle lines when things aren’t working – like Thursday night – he would like to be patient.

“You’re trying,” he said. “As a coach, you want to give those groups as much runway as possible.”

That seems to fit the overall plan.