NFL
By: Greg Rector
Green Bay Packers vs Dallas Cowboys
Two franchises with a rich history in their many previous encounters, meet in Dallas Sunday afternoon. Both teams are coming off close losses, and will be primed to get back on the winning side of a game.
Keys to the Game:
The Cowboys will have to stop the Packers early on. In all of Green Bay’s wins this season they have started off very quickly, you don’t want to fall behind them and lose your offensive game plan. Special teams and the defense must be ready right from the opening kick. As I write this the status of one huge weapon for Aaron Rodgers, Davante Adam’s is questionable. If he doesn’t play the Cowboy’s secondary who have been very good at limiting wide receiver production, will have one less headache to deal with. Thanks to an ugly hit on Jamaal Williams, last Thursday night, the Packers rushing attack is depleted as well. I still have a healthy fear for what number 12 can do though, so the Cowboys will still need to keep Graham, Allison, and others from hurting them.
On offense the Cowboys will most likely be missing a key piece up front in Tyron Smith. Cameron Fleming is decent but certainly not the pass blocker Smith is. Therefore they will need to establish Ezekiel Elliott, early on. The run will need to set up the play action game. A slow start by the offense could spell doom this week. The Eagles did a very good job on the ground against the Packers, and the Cowboys absolutely must do the same on Sunday. There’s an outside chance Michael Gallup returns for this game. If he does that will challenge the Packers secondary, and opens up the entire playbook for Dallas. Third quarter Prescott, please show up in the first quarter this week.
There can be no repeat of the last home game where the Cowboys simply tried doing too much to impress the home crowd. This is where Garrett, and the rest of the coaches must focus attention. Keep it simple stupid should be a mantra for them. Take what the opponent gives you and exploit it until the opponent proves they can stop you. This is one area I believe the Cowboys have an advantage this week is in coaching staffs. I have seen every Packers game and thus far I am underwhelmed by Matt Lafleur. Especially in his relationship with Rodgers. They have appeared to not be on the same page in most games. If there’s a quarterback in this league that can fly by the seat of his pants, it’s Rodgers. So far Lafleur like many young head coaches seems determined that it’s his way or the highway. This has led to games where the Packers opponents have made games closer than they should have been.
Prediction: After an abysmal week for predictions 6-9…ugh I am a bit leery this week. However I do believe the Cowboys defense will stymie the Packers just enough to see Dallas win 27-24.
You can find me on Twitter @GregCowboys
