Cowboys: 3 games Dak Prescott will have to win with his arm
By John Buhler
2. Week 10: at Green Bay Packers (Sunday, Nov. 13)
How the Cowboys play in the early part of November will say a lot about this team. They should enter their Week 9 bye after a convincing win over the rebuilding Chicago Bears the day before Halloween. While one could argue the Week 11 date at the Minnesota Vikings will be just as critical, the biggest game on the schedule this year for the Cowboys is at the Green Bay Packers.
It is early enough in the season where the weather may not be utterly horrendous. With an extra week to prepare for Mike McCarthy’s revenge game at Lambeau, this is where Prescott has to prove he is worth all of the money he is making. Though Green Bay may take a step back this season, there are no excuses for Prescott and “America’s Team” to show up flat in this ballgame.
No, Prescott does not have to out-duel Aaron Rodgers because most great quarterbacks are not even remotely capable of that. What does have to happen is for him to play an efficient and smart game. In essence, Prescott will have to make a few big plays with his arm, but cannot put his team behind the eight-ball with some inherent recklessness. A win here helps him get to the Pro Bowl.
If the Cowboys beat the Packers at Lambeau, home-field advantage in the NFC is a real possibility.