The Green Bay Packers are no longer undefeated after collapsing late in Cleveland last Sunday, but an opportunity to rebound and get to 3-1 before the bye week will arrive Sunday night when Matt LaFleur’s team goes back on the road to play the Dallas Cowboys in primetime at AT&T Stadium.
A showdown between the Packers and Cowboys never lacks for storylines, and this one is no different. The trade sending Micah Parsons to Green Bay before the season ensured this would be one of the most highly anticipated early season primetime games on the NFL schedule. And both teams are stressed for a win — the Packers must show last Sunday in Cleveland was a fluke, while the Cowboys are attempting to avoid a 1-3 start.
Five things to watch and a prediction for “SNF” in Week 4:
1. Parsons and Clark
Whichever team better disrupts the opponent’s quarterback will gain a huge advantage on Sunday night, especially considering how inconsistent each offensive line has played through three games and the injuries along both offensive lines entering Week 4. The historic trade sending Micah Parsons to Green Bay and Kenny Clark to Dallas before the season has drastically impacted both pass-rushing units, and Parsons leads the Packers in pressures (15) while Clark leads the Cowboys in pressures (9). Which pass-rusher will have a bigger impact on Sunday night? Blocking Clark will require a bounce-back game from Elgton Jenkins and the interior of the offensive line, which really struggled in Cleveland. Defensively, if the Cowboys pay extra attention to Parsons, as expected, the Packers will need a big night from a player like Rashan Gary, Lukas Van Ness or Devonte Wyatt. Based on the first three weeks, the Packers have a massive advantage in terms of pass-rushing potential entering Week 4.
2. Going deep
The deep passing game all but disappeared last week in Cleveland because the Packers couldn’t protect, but it could come back in a big way against the Cowboys, who have allowed an NFL-high 13 passing plays of at least 25 yards — including 11 completions for over 400 yards on passes thrown over 20 yards in the air. While the Cowboys are likely to have cornerbacks Trevon Diggs and DaRon Bland available, it won’t be surprising if Matt LaFleur wants to test both corners and safeties Donovan Wilson and Malik Hooker down the field, both in an attempt to create explosive plays and soften the front for the run game. Once again, the deep passing game needs the offensive line to bounce back and better protect Jordan Love on Sunday night. From clean pockets, Love could be a big-game hunter in Dallas.
3. Special teams test
Two weeks after struggling to contain punt and kickoff returns against the Commanders and just one week after a late-game special teams meltdown agianst the Browns, Rich Bisaccia and the Packers have a big test coming up in the Cowboys, who have an All-Pro kicker (Brandon Aubrey) and All-Pro returner (KaVonte Turpin). Aubrey has a range out to possibly 70 yards, especially indoors at AT&T Stadium, while Turpin returned a punt and kickoff for a score last season and is one of the NFL’s fastest players. There’s only so much the Packers can do to contain Aubrey’s leg, but keeping Turpin from creating a big-play is important, and the field goal operation will obviously be in the spotlight after having a kick blocked last week. By DVOA, the Packers rank 26th on special teams to start 2025. Improvement necessary, starting Sunday night.
4. Turnover time?
The Packers have only two takeaways (and zero forced fumbles) through three games, but Jeff Hafley is convinced the turnovers are coming, and it’s possible this is the week. The Cowboys have six giveaways in 2025, including four interceptions thrown, and both running backs (Javonte Williams, Miles Sanders) have lost a big fumble. Given how disruptive the Packers have been rushing the passer, and the effort being made to rally and take swings at the football, creating turnovers are probably just a matter of time for the defense. The Cowboys turned the ball over 28 times last season and are 0-2 when losing the turnover battle this season. In the playoff upset in 2023, the Packers got 14 early points — including a pick-six — off interceptions of Prescott. A turnover early would be a great way of creating another fast start at AT&T Stadium.
5. First-round picks
The Packers’ last three first-round picks will be hugely important on Sunday night. Lukas Van Ness (2023) is emerging as a true pass-rushing threat from multiple alignments, Jordan Morgan (2024) will likely start at left guard or right tackle and needs to rebound, and Matthew Golden (2025) is a legitimate deep threat who can test the Cowboys vertically while also providing value as a developing punt returner. The Packers need to disrupt Dak Prescott, protect Jordan Love and hit explosive plays to beat the Cowboys. Van Ness, Morgan and Golden will be key figures in accomplishing the task. The Cowboys, meanwhile, won’t have 2025 first-round pick Tyler Booker (injured), and 2023 first-round pick Mazi Smith has played all of 18 snaps to start this season. Left tackle Tyler Guyton (2024 first-round pick) will have his hands full with Micah Parsons, Van Ness and Rashan Gary.
Prediction: Packers 30, Cowboys 18 (2-1)
If the Packers can consistently block the Cowboys’ underperforming defensive front, scoring 30 points is probably the floor of possible outcomes for Matt LaFleur’s team on Sunday night. The Cowboys don’t blitz and play almost exclusively zone coverage, aligning nicely with how LaFleur and the Packers want to operate in the passing game, and the Cowboys’ lack of a disruptive pass rush should provide an opportunity for the offensive line to bounce back in pass protection. But the injuries up front for the Packers do provide legitimate concerns, especially considering how poorly the offensive line performed as a whole last Sunday in Cleveland. Defensively, Dak Prescott provides a challenge, but the Cowboys will be without their top receiving weapon and two starting offensive linemen. The expectation here is the offensive line is better, the passing game hits explosive plays to set up scores and the defensive front dominates once again. The line of scrimmage when the Packers have the ball will decide the game. If the offensive line shows up, it’s game over — Packers win, maybe big. If not, game on.
This article originally appeared on Packers Wire: Packers vs. Cowboys: 5 things to watch and a prediction for Week 4
Reporting by Zach Kruse, Packers Wire / Packers Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
