Sophia
As the Green Bay Packers (2-1) prepare to face the Dallas Cowboys (1-2) this Sunday night at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, all eyes will be on a critical matchup that could significantly impact both teams’ playoff aspirations. The Packers aim to bounce back from a tough loss to the Browns, while the Cowboys look to stabilize their season after a shaky start, compounded by key injuries.
Game Day Essentials: Time, TV, Betting, and Weather
- Date and Time: Sunday at 7:20 p.m. CT
- TV: NBC, featuring the renowned commentary team of Mike Tirico and Cris Collinsworth, with Melissa Stark reporting from the sideline.
- Betting Line: The Packers are favored by 6.5 points at FanDuel Sportsbook.
- Weather: Accuweather predicts partly cloudy skies with an evening temperature of 71 degrees and a southeast wind at 6 mph. However, the AT&T Stadium roof is likely to be closed, ensuring optimal playing conditions.
A Storied Rivalry: Packers’ Dominance in Dallas
The Packers hold a 22-17 lead in the all-time series against the Cowboys and have been particularly dominant recently, winning five consecutive games and 10 of their last 11 matchups. Remarkably, Green Bay remains undefeated in AT&T Stadium, securing victories in all five of their games in Arlington since the stadium’s inception. In these contests, the Packers have consistently showcased their offensive prowess, scoring at least 34 points in each game.
Cowboys’ Key Players to Watch: Stepping Up Amidst Injuries
With star receiver CeeDee Lamb sidelined due to a high-ankle sprain, the Cowboys will rely heavily on other playmakers to fill the void.
1. TE Jake Ferguson: The Reliable Target
Former Wisconsin Badger Jake Ferguson has rapidly ascended to become one of the NFL’s premier tight ends and a cornerstone of the Cowboys’ passing attack. He leads all tight ends with 27 catches—eight more than any other player at his position—and ranks second with 183 yards. Ferguson also leads the Cowboys in receptions and is second to Lamb in receiving yards. His pivotal role was evident in the 2023 playoffs, where he torched Green Bay for 10 catches, 93 yards, and three touchdowns. Expect an even greater workload for Ferguson this Sunday.
2. WR George Pickens: A New Face, Big Expectations
Acquired from the Steelers in May, George Pickens has quickly developed a strong rapport with Dak Prescott. With Lamb out, Pickens is thrust into the WR1 role. He currently ranks third on the team with 13 receptions and 166 receiving yards, accounting for two of Prescott’s three touchdown passes. The 6-foot-3 Pickens is renowned for his exceptional hands and body control, consistently making highlight-reel catches, including a memorable one-handed touchdown against the Bears. His ability to create separation and secure contested catches will be crucial for Dallas.
3. RB Javonte Williams: Powering the Ground Game
In his debut season with the Cowboys, Javonte Williams, a 2021 second-round pick by the Broncos, is on track for a career-best year. After an injury-shortened second season, Williams has found new life in Dallas. Through three games, he has rushed for 227 yards at an impressive 5.3 yards per carry, with his three touchdown runs just one shy of his career high. Williams ranks seventh in the league in rushing yards and is tied for third in touchdowns. With Lamb sidelined, the Cowboys are likely to lean heavily on Williams and their ground game to control the clock and alleviate pressure on their defense.
Packers’ Players to Watch: Impact Makers on Both Sides of the Ball
The Packers will need strong performances from these key individuals to secure a victory in Dallas.
1. DE Micah Parsons: The Homecoming Dominator
This Sunday marks a highly anticipated return for Micah Parsons to Dallas, where he spent the first four years of his career before being traded to the Packers in late August. Despite downplaying the reunion as “just another game,” Parsons’ impact on the Packers’ defense has been immense. He ranks third among all edge defenders in pass-rush win rate, according to Pro Football Focus, and his presence opens opportunities for his teammates. The Packers’ defense, currently 10th in the league with 10 sacks, benefits significantly from the attention Parsons commands. Expect a motivated Parsons to be “flying all over the field” as he continues to integrate into the Packers’ scheme.
2. WR Matthew Golden: Emerging Threat in the Passing Game
Matthew Golden began to showcase his potential against the Browns, and the Packers will look to exploit the Cowboys’ struggling secondary with him. Golden led Green Bay in receiving yards against Cleveland, including a crucial 34-yard catch on third down—the team’s longest play of the game. While he’s yet to find the end zone, the Cowboys’ secondary has been vulnerable, surrendering 450 passing yards and three touchdowns to the Giants’ Russell Wilson and 298 yards and four touchdowns to the Bears’ Caleb Williams. Dallas has also been prone to giving up big plays, with four Bears players recording catches over 30 yards last week, a weakness Golden is well-equipped to exploit.
3. The Offensive Line: A Crucial Bounce-Back Performance
More than any single player, the Packers’ offensive line needs a monumental bounce-back performance after a dismal showing against Cleveland. Once considered one of the league’s better units, the line allowed five sacks, six tackles for loss, and committed five penalties, with Pro Football Focus attributing 17 pressures to the unit. While the Browns boast an elite defensive front, this was one of the Packers’ worst offensive line performances in recent memory.
Compounding the challenge are significant injury concerns: right tackle Zach Tom (oblique) is out, left guard Aaron Banks (groin) is questionable, and left tackle Rasheed Walker and rookie tackle Anthony Belton also appeared on the injury report. The unit will face a Cowboys defense that has only recorded four sacks this season, potentially offering a more favorable matchup, but cohesion and execution will be paramount.
The Three Phases: A Detailed Look at the Cowboys
Cowboys on Offense: Prescott’s Leadership in a Shifting Landscape
After a 7-10 finish last season, largely due to Dak Prescott’s hamstring injury, the Cowboys’ offense struggled, ranking 16th in yards per game (327.5) and 21st in points per game (20.6). This season, they’ve shown improvement, averaging 393.7 yards (4th) and 24.7 points (10th). However, these numbers are somewhat inflated by their 478-yard, 40-point overtime win against the Giants in Week 2. In their losses to the Eagles and Bears, they averaged just over 350 yards and 17 points, which would place them 10th in total offense and a dismal 28th in scoring.
The passing attack, averaging 268 yards per game, has been the engine of the offense, with Prescott throwing for 800 yards (4th in NFL) and attempting 126 passes (tied for most with Joe Flacco). However, two of his three interceptions came last week. With CeeDee Lamb out, Prescott will lean on George Pickens, who led the NFL in yards per catch with the Steelers in 2023, and tight end Jake Ferguson, who hauled in 13 passes last week.
Lamb’s absence could also lead to a greater emphasis on the running game. Last season, the Cowboys’ rushing offense ranked 27th. This year, fueled by Javonte Williams, they are 11th in rushing and second in yards per carry, indicating a more potent ground attack.
Cowboys on Defense: A Struggling Unit with Injury Concerns
The Cowboys’ defense has been a significant concern, ranking 27th in points allowed per game (30.7) and 30th in yards allowed per game (397.7). Their most glaring weakness is their pass defense, which gives up a league-high 288.0 yards per game—22 yards more than any other team. A lack of consistent pass rush, with Dallas near the bottom of the NFL in sacks, means opposing quarterbacks often operate from clean pockets with ample time to throw. The departure of Micah Parsons to Green Bay without a suitable replacement has undoubtedly contributed to these issues.
The secondary, despite featuring former All-Pro cornerbacks, is also battling injuries, with Trevon Diggs (shoulder) missing practice and DaRon Bland (foot) limited. Defensive lineman Kenny Clark, acquired in the Parsons trade, returned to action last week after an injury scare and has one of the team’s three sacks.
Cowboys on Special Teams: Elite Kicking and Dangerous Returns
Dallas boasts one of the NFL’s best kickers in Brandon Aubrey, who is perfect this season, converting all six extra points and eight field goals. His impressive range includes a 4-for-4 performance from 50-plus yards, highlighted by a 64-yarder against the Giants. Veteran punter Bryan Anger is solid, with an average of 47.5 yards and a net average of 38.9 yards, placing three punts inside the 20-yard line without a touchback. Reigning first-team All-Pro returner KaVontae Turpin, while having a minimal impact this season (23.0 average on kickoff returns, 10.0 average on punt returns), proved his explosiveness last season by leading the NFL with a 33.5-yard kickoff return average and scoring touchdowns in both phases.
Packers’ Keys to Victory: How Green Bay Can Win
1. The Offensive Line Must Dominate
The Packers’ offensive line must drastically improve from its Week 3 performance. Navigating injuries will be crucial. If Zach Tom and Aaron Banks are out, a projected starting five could be Rasheed Walker at left tackle, Jordan Morgan at left guard, Elgton Jenkins at center, Sean Rhyan at right guard, and Anthony Belton at right tackle. This unit struggled in the second half against Cleveland, and even veteran Elgton Jenkins acknowledged, “I feel like I’ve played like sh**, honestly… I can play a lot better.” Improved play, especially from Jenkins, is essential for protecting Jordan Love and establishing the run game.
2. Unleash the Pass Rush
While Micah Parsons’ return to Dallas will garner significant attention, the entire Packers’ defensive line is poised for a big day. The Cowboys’ offensive line is banged up, with starting guard Tyler Booker (high-ankle sprain) out and starting center Cooper Beebe on injured reserve. Additionally, both starting tackles have struggled: Tyler Guyton has allowed the fourth-most pressures among tackles, and Terence Steele the eighth-most, according to PFF. This presents prime opportunities for Devonte Wyatt, Parsons, Rashan Gary (who leads the NFL with 4.5 sacks), and Lukas Van Ness to disrupt Dak Prescott and keep the Cowboys’ passing attack in check.
3. Connect Through the Air
The Packers’ passing game struggled to find its rhythm against the Browns, partly due to offensive line issues. This week, minimizing mistakes and maximizing opportunities against a vulnerable Cowboys secondary will be key. Matthew Golden showed flashes last week, but the Packers thrive on spreading the ball around and pushing it downfield. Dallas ranks 31st in opponent passer rating, indicating significant struggles in containing opposing passing games.
If Jordan Love can continue to build his connection with Golden and distribute the ball effectively, the Packers have a strong chance to reignite their passing game and return to the win column. For more insights into the Green Bay Packers, visit their official NFL page.
Jacob Slinkman | September 25, 2025
