Packers vs. Cowboys: Preview, score prediction for Week 5

Green Bay Packers vs. Dallas Cowboys

It’s a rematch of the Divisional Round of the playoffs as the Green Bay Packers head to Arlington, Texas to play the Dallas Cowboys in AT&T Stadium. It’s a battle of one of the better veteran quarterbacks in the NFL in Aaron Rodgers of Green Bay and one of the more promising young stars at the position in Dak Prescott of Dallas.

Green Bay comes in with a record of 3-1, although it’s been tough to get to the record they’re at. As for Dallas, they’ve kind of muddled through to a 2-2 record while looking average at best on either side of the ball.

What happens when these two NFC titans collide on Sunday in Week 5?

Green Bay Keys To Victory

Rattle Dak: So far this season second-year quarterback Dak Prescott has looked like a different player. While he hasn’t been bad, he also is showing signs of being beatable. Prescott has struggled to handle the pressure and Green Bay needs to make sure he feels it again as it leads to some bad decisions and rushed passes.

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Block D-Law: On defense one player has been a monster for the Cowboys an that’s defensive end Demarcus Lawrence. He leads the league with 7.5 sacks in four games and needs to have extra attention sent his way to avoid him ruining an offensive game plan.

Attack the linebackers: The Rams killed Dallas  — and especially linebacker Jaylon Smith — with their passing game out of the backfield. While his return to the field has been a feel-good story, Smith is not himself yet and Green Bay would be wise to attack him like Los Angeles did.

Dallas Keys To Victory

Kill the clock: One thing Cowboys head coach Jason Garrett likes to do is control the game with the run and keep the defense resting. Against Green Bay such a strategy is huge as it keeps Rodgers on on the sidelines watching the game. They need to go back to that and run the ball from the get-go to kill the clock as they play keep away.

Win third downs: So far in 2017, Dallas has been awful in stopping, and converting third downs. They are 20-of-52 while allowing 26-of-58 on defense. To beat the Packers they need stops and have to extend drives. Each line will be key in that area for the Boys.

Play Clean Football: Turnovers can’t happen against Green Bay. Quarterback Dak Prescott has already thrown three picks in four games after having just four his entire rookie season. Dallas has to make sure to keep the ball secure and not give the Packers anything for free.

Odds

Point Spread: Dallas -2.5
Moneyline:  Dallas -130, Green Bay +118
Over/Under: 52

Odds via Sportsbook Review

Next: NFL 2017: Picks against the spread for Week 5

Prediction

Things will be crazy for Dallas if they lose this one, which often means they pull it off and continue to confuse us all about who they really are. However, they just don’t seem to have the firepower on offense they used to and that defense can’t stop anyone when it counts. Rodgers will throw all over them and will also get a couple dumb 12-man penalties that he can take advantage of en route to a close win and a 4-1 start.

Final Score: Green Bay Packers: 32, Dallas Cowboys: 28