The Dallas Cowboys delivered an impressive 36-28 victory over the previously undefeated Carolina Panthers in Week 4 of their highly anticipated NFL showdown..

Dallas took control of the game in the second half, outscoring Carolina 20-0 in the third quarter. The Panthers would rally to trim the gap, but it was too little too late for Sam Darnold and Co. against the Cowboys.

Mike McCarthy's offensive was dominant over what had been a really good Panthers defense through three games. The Cowboys totaled over 400 yards of total offense, including 245 rushing yards versus the NFL's top rushing defense through the first three weeks.

With that said, let's take a look at three takeaways from a big Cowboys win as they move to 3-1 on the season.

3. Dan Quinn's defense still needs some work

Dallas' defense looked good last week versus the Philadelphia Eagles, who were down two starting offensive lineman. While they made enough plays to win in Week 4–picking off Darnold twice– there is still room for improvement for the Cowboy' defense.

The pass rush was good again as they came up with five sacks of Darnold, but the quarterback still threw for over 300 yards and scored four total touchdowns (two passing, two rushing).

The Panthers averaged nearly five yards a carry on the ground Sunday and almost got back into the game late after the Cowboys dominated the third quarter in every phase. Dallas has the potential of having a good defense, but they aren't quite there from a consistency standpoint outside of a pretty solid pass rush, which is obviously important.

2. This offense is really, really good when healthy

We're finally seeing what the Cowboys' offense looks like with all of its pieces. Well, almost all of them. Wide receiver Michael Gallup is still out with a calf injury.

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Fortunately, Amari Cooper, Dak Prescott, Ezekiel Elliot and backup running back Tony Pollard have been a force to be reckoned with behind a strong Dallas offensive line. They have the balance between run and pass to keep teams guessing, and Prescott is in command of the offense at what is potentially the highest level of his career. Elliott and Pollard have provided one of, if not the best 1-2 backfield punch in the NFL so far this season.

Other than Week 2 when Dallas won an ugly 20-17 game versus the Los Angeles Chargers, the offense has put up at least 29 points in every other game through Week 4. If the Cowboys defense can just be a little bit above average, they could be a legitimate contender in the NFC.

CeeDee Lamb and Dalton Schultz have helped round out the receiving core, and the reemergence of Gallup at some point should only even further bolster the Cowboys' arsenal of explosive weapons to unleash on opposing defense,–as he's been a quality big play threat throughout his career with Dallas.

1. Don't look now

The schedule is somewhat favorable, the offense looks great, and the defense looks promising. This feels like a Cowboys year in the NFC East. The key will obviously be health as Prescott and Elliott have both battled their respective injuries in the recent past. If Dallas remains healthy, they could be a sleeper come this postseason. They played the defending champions Tampa Bay Buccaneers close in Week 1, and they have looked the part of a contender every week since.

As their defense grows into the new scheme, they could be a dark horse to take down the Buccaneers, Los Angeles Rams or Green Bay Packers in the NFC Playoffs this season. Not to say Dallas is a complete longshot, but picking them to make noise in the NFC playoffs at this point is not exactly a common opinion either. The Rams and Bucs have garnered the status as NFC favorites among bookmakers, with the Packers not far behind them.

The Cowboys will need to continue to improve if they want to reach the status of true contenders for the Lombardi Trophy this winter, but it has been an encouraging start to the 2021 season for America's Team.