CHARLOTTE - DeMarcus Lawrence, for once, didn't want to talk about the Cowboys pass rush Sunday.
The defensive end sacked Carolina quarterback Cam Newton on third down to get the ball back for the offense in a one-possession game, with just under five minutes to go, preying on a compromised offensive line in the second half.
The defense, overall, held the Panthers below 20 points in the eventual 16-8 loss.
But, as it became painfully evident at rain-soaked Bank of America Stadium, this offense is going to need more help.
In this role reversal for the Cowboys, if the defense is going to carry the team in 2018, it will have to raise the bar even more.