The Green Bay Packers will host the Dallas Cowboys in an important NFL Week 6 matchup.
In arguably the most interesting matchup of the weekend, the Dallas Cowboys will travel to Lambeau Field to take on the Green Bay Packers. Both are in the thick of the NFC race for a playoff spot, with the Cowboys at 4-1 and the Packers at 3-1.
The Cowboys have been the talk of the NFL this season led by their rookie backfield duo of quarterback Dak Prescott and Ezekiel Elliott.
As the leading rusher in the NFL, Elliott is the favorite to take home rookie of the year honors this season, and his teammate Prescott may be his biggest threat. The Cowboys have made life easy for Prescott, but he has shown that he is for real.
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Prescott is an extremely athletic player at the quarterback position. He is a threat to run at any time and has also shown the ability to make good decisions through the air as evidenced by his zero interceptions to start his career. Prescott is not an elite-level pocket passer or anything like that, but he is a great NFL player who can wreak havoc against anybody.
With Elliott and the threat of Prescott behind the best offensive line in the NFL, the Cowboys rushing attack is bar none. They can run the ball against anybody and will do so in a variety of ways. That being said, they may be up against their toughest test yet this week. Allowing a laughable 42.8 yards per game, the Packers have statistically the best run defense in the NFL.
Now, Green Bay has not been tested by an elite-level rushing attack, however, those numbers are not a fluke. With Mike Daniels up front and a host of play-making linebackers, the Packers run defense is legit. In this game, we have the best rushing attack in the league against the best run defense. The winner of this strength on strength battle should have a great chance of winning this game.
As great as the Packers are against the run, they are extremely exploitable through the air. The Cowboys would be wise to attack the Packers down the field more than they typically do. Prescott has done a great job of taking what the defense gives him, but this week could be his opportunity to shine.
Cowboys star wide receiver Dez Bryant has returned to practice on a limited basis this week. It’s still unclear if Bryant can suit up because of his knee injury, but this would certainly be a great week for Dallas to have him. The Packers simply don’t have anybody who can matchup with Bryant. Even if he is playing on a snap count or as a decoy, having Bryant on the field would be huge for the Cowboys.
Aaron Rodgers has gotten the Packers’ offense back on track in recent weeks, but they are still not scoring with any sort of consistency. The Cowboys defense is very good so Rodgers is going to have to bring hisA-game if they are going to score points.
The health of Eddie Lacy is key here, because the Cowboys are easier to run on than pass on. Rodgers will undoubtedly play a major role in this game, but the Packers are better off if Lacy is playing a major part of this offense.
Odds
Line: GB -4.5
Over/Under: 47
The Packers come in as 4.5-point home favorites. Rodgers and Green Bay are incredibly tough to beat at home, but I think Dallas is getting disrespected here. Green Bay has gotten off to a strong start, but they have looked shaky in doing so. The Cowboys, on the other hand, have looked like legitimate Super Bowl contenders. The line at 4.5 seems like a bit much to me.
Prediction
The Packers are going to attempt to make Prescott beat them with his arm. He has not really shown the ability to throw the ball down the field this year. However, the Cowboys have not needed him to do so. Against a tough Packers run defense, this may be the week where Prescott really has to step up.
Prescott and Rodgers will obviously be key, but I think this game comes down to Elliott and the Cowboys rushing attack against the Packers run defense. Behind such an elite offensive line, I cannot help but give the edge to Dallas there.
Pick: Dallas Cowboys 24, Green Bay Packers 21