Green Bay Packers: 5 Bold predictions vs. Cowboys, Week 5

2. The Smiths bounce back with pair of sacks

One week after lighting the Broncos offensive line on fire, the Green Bay Packers free-agent additions on the edge in Preston Smith and Za’Darius Smith were blanked (as was Green Bay overall) by the Eagles in regards to getting sacks. And while the Cowboys have a vaunted offensive line, it’s going to be banged up on the edge this week.

Tyron Smith has already been ruled out for Week 5 which puts Cameron Fleming in at left tackle. Furthermore, La’el Collins is not at 100 percent either, so that makes both tackles not at 100 percent right now. That makes for a good matchup for The Smiths on Sunday afternoon in Dallas and they’ll get to Dak Prescott a couple of times for sacks.

1. Packers run defense remains Achilles’ heel

Without question, the Packers pass defense has taken a big step forward this season. However, their run defense has been a problem thus far. The Eagles combination of Miles Sanders and Jordan Howard burned them in Week 4 and they’ve now allowed 142.3 yards per game on the ground this year. Up against Ezekiel Elliott on Sunday, that spells bad news in Green Bay.

Even without Tyron Smith, the Cowboys are still going to be able to effectively run the ball in this game. Elliott should be about to hit his stride and rookie Tony Pollard has proven himself when given the ball as well. This will be along day for the Packers run defense and, as a result, the Cowboys will control the clock and ultimately pick up the tough win at home.