The Green Bay Packers (2-1) will attempt to bounce back from a disappointing defeat in Cleveland when they go on the road to face the Dallas Cowboys (1-2) in primetime in Week 4. The two historic teams will renew their rivalry when facing off on “Sunday Night Football” from AT&T Stadium.
The Cowboys have struggled out of the gates under first-year coach Brian Schottenheimer and desperately need a win with Micah Parsons and the Packers coming to Dallas this week.
Can the Packers go into the bye week with a win and send the Cowboys to a 1-3 start?
Here’s a closer look at the Cowboys entering Week 4:
Last week
The Cowboys went on the road to Chicago in Week 3 and lost 31-14, creating a 1-2 start. Dallas fell behind 14-3, eventually tied the game at 14 midway through the second quarter and then watched the Bears score the game’s final 17 points. The struggling Cowboys defense allowed Caleb Williams to complete 19 of 28 passes for 298 yards and four touchdowns in what is probably the best performance of the young quarterback’s career. Offensively, the Cowboys lost CeeDee Lamb to an ankle injury in the first half and then proceeded to turn the ball over four times, including three straight drives ending in interceptions — including two thrown by Dak Prescott — to finish the game. Gaining 396 total yards and creating 23 first downs only created two scoring drives, in large part because the Cowboys were 1-for-4 scoring touchdowns in the red zone. The Bears averaged 10.6 yards per passing attempt and converted 9-of-15 opportunities on third or fourth down.
Newcomers
Veteran running backs Javonte Williams and Miles Sanders have combined for 336 rushing yards and four scores, former Steeler George Pickens has a pair of touchdown catches and former Packer Kenny Clark has one of the team’s four sacks. Only three players from the draft class have appeared in games, and the team’s first-round pick — guard Tyler Booker — injured his ankle and won’t play Sunday. Second-round pick Donovan Ezeiruaku has a team-high three quarterback hits. Elsewhere on the defense, linebacker Kenneth Murray (2020 first-round pick of Chargers), cornerback Kalir Elam (2022 first-round pick of Bills) and linebacker Jack Sanborn (former Badger, Bear) are all newcomers playing a lot of snaps for first-year defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus, the former Bears coach.
Quarterback play
Dak Prescott, now in his 10th season, leads the NFL in completions and passing attempts. He’s completing a career-high 71.4 percent of his passes, but he’s also averaging a career-low 6.3 yards per attempt and 8.9 yards per completion, and his passer rating is a pedestrian 86.1. Prescott has taken five sacks and thrown three interceptions, including two last week in Chicago. While the traditional numbers don’t look great, Prescott is playing at a high level. He has 11 “big time throws,” leading all the quarterbacks through three weeks, and he’s been affected by nine drops (third most) and 50 dropbacks under pressure (fourth most). Prescott is just two years removed from a season in which he threw 36 touchdown passes. He is a well-built quarterback (238 pounds) who can avoid pressure and attack to all areas of the field. The Cowboys will be missing pieces along the offensive line and at receiver, complicating Prescott’s job against an elite Packers defense.
Line of scrimmage
By pass-blocking grade, the Cowboys rank 31st out of 32 teams, and Dallas is expecting to be without starting center Cooper Beebe and guard Tyler Booker. The Cowboys have invested a lot of resources along the offensive line but have received disappointing results overall. The tackles are 2024 first-round pick Tyler Guyton on the left side and veteran Terence Steele on the right side. They’ve combined to give up 24 pressures and commit seven penalties. Brock Hoffman is the backup center, TJ Bass is the likely backup at guard. Tyler Smith, who just received a big new deal, has been an excellent player at guard to start his career but is struggling by PFF grade to start 2025.
The Cowboys defensive front lost Micah Parsons but added Kenny Clark, possibly helping the run defense but destroying the team’s ability to affect the passer. Dallas has four sacks and only 12 quarterback hits in three games. Clark has a sack and leads the team with nine pressures. A combination of Sam Williams, Donovan Ezeiruaku, Dante Fowler Jr. and Marshawn Kneeland play on the edge with Clark, Osa Odighizuwa and Soloman Thomas man the interior. There is talent on the defensive front, but it hasn’t translated into production or disruption.
Turnovers
The Cowboys rank last in the NFL with a -5 turnover differential through three games — six giveaways and just one takeaway. The only takeaway came on a terrible decision by Russell Wilson in overtime of the Cowboys’ only win. Dak Prescott has thrown three interceptions, and both Javonte Williams and Miles Sanders have lost a fumble. It’s tough living on defense when you can’t stop anyone or generate takeaways, and the Cowboys offense hasn’t helped with giveaways. Dallas is 0-2 when losing the turnover battle.
Injury situation
The Cowboys are hurting. Receiver CeeDee Lamb, guard Tyler Booker, center Cooper Beebe, cornerback Trevon Diggs and cornerback Daron Bland are all hurt. Kenny Clark exited last Sunday’s loss early. Linebacker DeMarvion Overshown is on the PUP list. The injury report for both teams will be littered with important players this week.
Players to know
WR George Pickens: The former Steeler is highly competitive and likely to be Dak Prescott’s new favorite target with CeeDee Lamb injured. He is a big-play threat with contested catch ability. Pickens vs. Keisean Nixon could be fireworks.
CB Trevon Diggs: He’s allowed only five catches in 2025, but three went for touchdowns. He’s a turnover hunter who often gives up the big play during the hunt.
WR KaVontae Turpin: A versatile weapon with elite speed and two career Pro Bowl nods as a returner. He’s turned 13 touches into 148 yards this season. Last year, he returned a punt and kickoff for a touchdown. Can the Packers’ special teams contain a game-breaker?
K Brandon Aubrey: Can’t forget the kicker. He might have range to 70 yards, vastly expanding the Cowboys’ scoring potential. Aubrey has made all eight field goals in 2025, including 4-for-4 from 50 or longer.
TE Jake Ferguson: The former Badger leads the team with 27 catches in three games, but he’s averaging only 6.8 yards per catch, doesn’t have a touchdown and only 22 percent of his catches have gained first downs.
This article originally appeared on Packers Wire: Packers vs. Cowboys: 7 things to know about Green Bay’s Week 4 opponent
Reporting by Zach Kruse, Packers Wire / Packers Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
