The Green Bay Packers (3-1) will meet up with Dallas (2-2) this Sunday in a rematch of an NFC Divisional playoff matchup. The Cowboys we’ll be looking for revenge starting at 4:25 EST from AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. The game can be seen in most markets on FOX, or on the NFL Sunday Ticket package.
Not much has changed since the last time these two met. For the Packers, Aaron Rodgers is still an elite quarterback, Jordy Nelson is still a dynamic playmaker when healthy, and they continue to have one of the strongest O-lines in the league.
Their only stumble came against the Falcons in Atlanta, so they can be forgiven for that. They had an impressive win over the Seahawks to start the season, and are coming off a thumping of the Bears. Rodgers hasn’t been MVP material yet this season, but he has made dozens of key throws to keep himself in the first tier of NFL quarterbacks.
For Dallas, they’re not likely to get sophomore slumps from RB Ezekiel Elliott and QB Dak Prescott. Even with an extra year for defenses to prepare for him, Prescott has fought through it. Elliott hasn’t been potent from the backfield like last year, yet, but he’s contributed wonderfully to the passing game.
The Cowboys come in as 2 ½-point favorites at “Jerry’s World” this Sunday.
A lot of this pick relies upon WR Davante Adams playing for the Packers. Word we’ll come on Saturday whether he will play or not after his concussion last week. If he does, it will allow the Packers to have one too many weapons for Dallas in the passing game.
Sure, Ty Montgomery being out means the Pack will be without their starting RB. But he wasn’t all that effective (3.3 YPC) this season anyway. Even if Green Bay’s offense isn’t balanced, the amount of different looks they can give defenses with their passing game makes them as incredible in the air as they have been ever since coach Mike McCarthy arrived.
Dallas being without a healthy LB Sean Lee is a huge blow to their defense. He may play, but won’t be 100% even if he does. It was expected that his hamstring would need more time to recover, and toughing it out still leaves Dallas more vulnerable up the middle.
Ezekiel Elliott will be the key for Dallas once again. The Packers have only had one bad game against the run (Atlanta), and Clay Matthews Jr. has gotten a little more of his mojo back after slumping last season.
The biggest problem Green Bay may have to deal with is the sudden surge of Cowboys DE Demarcus Lawrence. He already has 7.5 sacks, more than some teams do. But he’ll be combated by one of the league’s top-5 offensive lines.
Dallas has allowed 94 points in its last three games. They’re playing a team that rarely turns the ball over but has key skill players they can air it out to. Green Bay is on a 9-4 stretch ATS, while Dallas has only covered three of its last 11.
In the end, the playmakers and protection of the Packers will carry them to a win. That and one of the best quarterbacks in the league.