Mike McCarthy will be out for vengeance against his old team in Week 10 as the Dallas Cowboys hit the road to face the Green Bay Packers.
The Cowboys are winners of two-straight games coming into the matchup, while the Packers have lost five-consecutive games. Green Bay is 20-17 all-time against Dallas, and 8-2 in the last 10 games.
But the Packers (3-6) haven’t been sharp this season and Aaron Rodgers hasn’t looked like his old self. Here are the three keys to a Cowboys victory:
Dallas Cowboys vs. Green Bay Packers
- Kickoff time: Sunday, November 13th at 3:25 p.m.
- How to watch: FOX
- How to stream: fox.com
- Spread: Cowboys -4.5
- Over/under total: 42.5
Exploit the Packers weak offense
The Packers have one of the worst offenses in the NFL. Not something we’re used to hearing about a team with the reigning MVP under center, but it’s the truth.
Green Bay only averages 17 points per game, the sixth-lowest total in the league. Last week was arguably the Packers’ worst showing of the season as they only mustered up nine points against a Detroit Lions defense allowing 29 points per game.
Any defense facing the Packers would be licking its chops, but it especially bodes well for the Cowboys. Rodgers has thrown seven interceptions this season, the sixth-most in football.
This could be a big game for Trevon Diggs and the Cowboys secondary. If Dallas can force Rodgers to make mistakes, it should lead to a Cowboys victory.
Establish the run
Green Bay’s defense has struggled against the run this year, allowing 138 rushing yards per game. This bodes well for Tony Pollard coming off a career game in Week 8 vs. the Chicago Bears. Pollard ran for 131 yards and three touchdowns against the Monsters of the Midway.
It’s also the perfect situation for Ezekiel Elliott’s return. Zeke sat in Week 8 due to a knee injury and the Week 9 bye served him well.
Elliott has been a limited participant in practice this week and is questionable to suit up against the Packers. But after Thursday’s practice, Pollard told reporters he believes Zeke will play.
Even if Elliott sits, we saw what Pollard can do as the Cowboys lead back. Establishing the run will only open things up in the passing game for Dak Prescott.
Don’t sleep on an inferior opponent
There’s been lots of buzz this week about Odell Beckham Jr. signing with the Cowboys. Micah Parsons and Elliott have been very open about wanting the star receiver to ink a deal with Big D:
It may be easy for the Cowboys to lose focus and overlook the Packers considering Green Bay’s recent struggles. But it’s important Dallas avoids that.Considering the Cowboys are still chasing the undefeated Philadelphia Eagles in the NFC East, getting these seemingly easy wins becomes even more important.
