The Dallas Cowboys are heading back to Lambeau Field for the first time since the infamous “Dez Catch” to take on the Green Bay Packers.
The Packers don’t look like the same kind of team we have seen the past several seasons and that makes this a very winnable game for the Cowboys. In fact, the Packers may have a 4-1 winning record, but haven’t been able to win a game by more than a touchdown.
Here’s a quick look at the Packers scores through their first four games.
| Opponent | Score | Win/Loss |
| @Jacksonville Jaguars | 27-23 | Win |
| @Minnesota Vikings | 14-17 | Loss |
| Detroit Lions | 27-34 | Win |
| Bye | ||
| New York Giants | 16-23 | Win |
As you can see, the Green Bay Packers haven’t exactly been blowing their opponents away this season and that is good news for the Dallas Cowboys.
For the Cowboys to win this game though they have to win some key matchups on both the offensive and defensive side of the ball. Below are the matchups I think they must win in order to come away with a victory and carry the momentum into their bye week.
Dallas Cowboys Offense
Cowboys wide receivers vs. Packers secondary
Cowboys wide receivers vs. Packers secondaryAs things stand right now, it is unclear if Dez Bryant will suit up this week against the Packers or if the Dallas Cowboys will take the cautious approach and wait until after the bye week to let Bryant hit the field once again.
Regardless, that means Terrance Williams, Brice Butler, and Cole Beasley will be asked to shoulder the load against a banged up Packers secondary.
Dak Prescott is playing at a high level and should have chances to connect with his wide receivers, thus making it a long night for the backend of the Packers defense. Prescott has to take advantage of the Packers banged up secondary, something Eli Manning was unable to do last week.
Cowboys #1 rushing attack vs. Packers #1 run defense
The Dallas Cowboys have the best running game in the NFL so far, and the Green Bay Packers have the best run defense. But, if you take a closer look at the teams the Packers have played, you will notice that they are all ranked outside the top 20 running the ball.
The Green Bay Packers simply haven’t faced a player like Ezekiel Elliott yet or an offensive line as good as the Cowboys have.
I think we can all agree the offensive lineman and Elliott took a little time to get things going, but over the last three games they have been absolutely dominant. I don’t see any reason why that won’t continue against the Packers.
Doug Free vs. Clay Matthews
The Green Bay Packers best pass rusher against the Dallas Cowboys weakest offensive lineman, what more can I say?
Doug Free will have his hands full with arguably one of the best pass rushers in the NFL, Clay Matthews.
The Packers do a good job of finding creative ways to use Matthews and I fully expect them to harass the right side of the Cowboys offensive line by trying to exploit Free’s weaknesses.
Dallas Cowboys Defense
DeMarcus Lawrence vs. Aaron Rodgers
DeMarcus Lawrence vs. Aaron RodgersDeMarcus Lawrence returned from his four-game suspension last week against the Cincinnati Bengals, and added a much-needed boost to the pass rush for the Cowboys defense. Lawrence only played 17 defensive snaps last week, but nearly had two QB sacks.
I expect him to see more playing time this week and hopefully we will see him put pressure on Aaron Rodgers the entire game.
Lawrence and the rest of the Cowboys pass rushers will have to do all they can to pressure Rogers, otherwise it will put the Cowboys secondary in a tough situation.
Cowboys secondary vs. Packers wide receivers
The Green Bay Packers might just have the most talented wide receivers that the Dallas Cowboys have faced so for in 2016.
Fortunately, Morris Claiborne and the rest of the secondary has been playing really well thus far. In fact, they haven’t allowed a 100 yard receiver over the first five games this season.
Aaron Rodgers does a good job of buying extra time and allowing his receivers to get themselves open. So, it will be a tough task for the Cowboys secondary to cover this talented group the entire game.
The backend of the Cowboys defense simply can’t allow the Packers wide receivers to take over this game if they want to come away with a victory.
Sean Lee vs. Eddie Lacy
The Green Bay Packers are not really known as a running team, but if the Dallas Cowboys want to win this game they can’t allow Eddie Lacy to have a good game.
Lacy suffered an ankle injury last week against the New York Giants, but it looks as if he will still play against the Cowboys Sunday afternoon.
If the Cowboys defense can make the Packers offense more one-dimensional, it gives them a better chance of securing a victory.
Linebacker Sean Lee is off to a fantastic start, and will once again be asked to make an impact by shutting down the Packers running game.
It is a task that I think he is more than capable of handling.
What matchups do you think the Dallas Cowboys have to win against the Green Bay Packers?
Please feel free to take advantage of the comment section below to share your thoughts and opinions on this topic.
