After another embarrassing loss, this time to the Detroit Lions, the Green Bay Packers find themselves 4.5 games behind in the NFC North, three games under .500, and on a five-game losing streak. However, given the lack of depth in the NFC this season, the Packers could still find themselves with a wild card spot if they can go on a winning streak.
Most people will likely count Green Bay out of this Sunday’s game against the Dallas Cowboys before it starts. But Aaron Rodgers has always played very well against the Dem Boys. A vintage performance from No. 12 could be just what the Packers need to right the ship this season.
The Cowboys are anything but pushovers, though, and they need this win just as much as the Packers. For the Packers to win, they will have to neutralize Dallas’ strengths.
Here are three things the Cowboys do well.
Find Mismatches Using Micah Parsons
Parsons might be one of the most electrifying players on the defensive side of the ball, and the Cowboys use him in many different ways all over the field. He’s almost like a chess piece that Dallas moves across the board, finding mismatches wherever they can.
Defensive coordinator Dan Quinn puts Parsons anywhere from edge rusher to linebacker to occasionally lining up over centers when rushing the quarterback. While Parsons might not be the best at stopping the run, he is an exceptional pass-rusher.
Look for the Cowboys to move him around, putting him over the left tackle if David Bakhtiari can’t play, or even lining him up over the interior offensive line to take advantage of Jon Runyan and Josh Myers. Whenever the Packers’ offense line up, Rodgers should immediately look to find where No. 11 on the defense is lined up.
Run the Ball
The Cowboys’ offense is predicated on their ability to run the ball. When they are at their best, they can get ahead of the chains early and control the clock and time of possession. This season, they have two capable runners who they can use interchangeably.
Ezekiel Elliott has been the workhorse for the last few years. While he might not be playing at the same level as a few years ago, he is still an important member of the offense. Elliott averages 4.1 yards per attempt and can get an average of 2.79 yards after contact. He can work between the tackles and fight for hard-earned yards.
Tony Pollard is the more explosive of the Cowboys’ two runners. He has burst onto the scene and is averaging 6.2 yards per attempt, with 5.02 yards after contact. He leads the team in runs of 10 yards or more with 13 and has shown the ability to make people miss, forcing 21 missed tackles. Green Bay’s defense will need to make the Cowboys one-dimensional and beat them through the air.
Covering Wideouts
Trevon Diggs and Anthony Brown have both been very good to start the season. Last year, we all saw the memes about Diggs and how he was getting interceptions while also allowing opposing wideouts to get behind him. This season, Diggs has been much better. While he isn’t reeling in the same number of interceptions as last season, he also gets beat a lot less.
Brown, the corner across from Diggs, has also been very good to start the season. While he doesn’t get the same amount of credit as Diggs, he isn’t someone to take lightly. While he doesn’t draw the high-profile matchups that Diggs faces, he does a good job at limiting secondary wideouts.
Through the first eight games this year, Brown and Diggs are allowing a passer rating of just 84.1 and 60% of passes thrown their way to be completed. If the Packers want to win this game, they must be smart about targeting the cornerbacks.