Last week didn’t go as planned for the Green Bay Packers. They’ll need to refocus against the Cowboys.
Prior to last week’s game, starting left tackle Rasheed Walker made a bold statement. Walker said, “[b]ecause I think we can go undefeated, honestly. I mean, personally, I feel like—I always tell people I felt like we could have went undefeated the past two seasons.” Of course, this thought process immediately backfired when the Packers lost to the Browns a few days later.
Head Coach Matt LaFleur didn’t like the rhetoric from his starting left tackle. “The goal,” says the Green Bay head coach,” — and I’ve said it a million times to you guys, obviously not enough to our team — the goal is to go 1-0 every week. It pisses me off when we start talking about things outside of the next game, things that are way down the road.”
The focus is to go 1-0 every week. LaFleur has said it in the past, the NFL will humble you real quick. That’s why it is so important to focus on the game they are facing.
Packers Challenge
So, the challenge for this week is to focus what is in front of the Packers right now. And that, of course, is the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday Night Football. This is made even more challenging with the early bye week to follow.
That being said, the whole nation is set to watch this one. Something about a recently traded edge rusher or something? Oh yeah!
The return of Micah Parsons to AT&T Stadium.
Micah Parsons
Not only does the game mean a lot for the Packers in general, but it also means a little bit more with the addition of Parsons to the Green Bay defense. Okay, maybe it means a lot more.
But, Parsons is going to be extremely important to the success of the Packers on Sunday Night. Since adding Micah Parsons, the Packers are ranked number one in scoring defense and number three in total yards. Teams just haven’t had much time to do much with the ball because of the intensity of the defensive line.
But here is the crazy thing, Micah Parsons isn’t racking up the stats. His presence and intensity has actually aided other pass rushers. Through three games this season, Parsons has recorded 1.5 sacks and five total tackles. Meanwhile Rashan Gary has 4.5 sacks through the first three games and 8 total tackles. The four and half sacks by Gary lead the NFL in sacks.
But with this game being in Dallas against his former team, look for Parsons to increase those stat numbers.
Packers Jordan Love and the Offense
So, if the Packers defense has been so dominant, how did this team lose to the Cleveland Browns? Well, first things first, credit that Browns defense. They are the one bright spot on that Cleveland team and it really showed on Sunday. However, the Green Bay offense didn’t do much to write home about.
Really, everything about the offense was bad, but ultimately it comes down to inconsistencies and mistakes. The first mistake of the game was playing Zach Tom before he was really ready. That threw off the rest of the game before the offense could even get going. I truly believe that if the Packers would have game planned expecting Zach Tom not to play, then they would have done better. But that didn’t happen.
In addition, if the Packers could have been more consistent in their play calling and execution, then the Packers would have won. But that also didn’t happen.
Get Right Game for the Offense?
The Dallas Cowboys have had it rough on defense since the Micah Parsons’ trade. They are ranked 27th in points allowed per game, 30th in total yard allowed, and 31st in yards per play. Let me remind you that there are only 32 teams in the NFL. The Packers and Jordan Love should have every chance to find their rhythm and consistency in this one.
But there is a reason the games are still played and we have to remember the lesson that was learned in Cleveland.
So, What Needs to Happen?
The defense needs to keep doing what they have been doing. Keep applying the pressure up front and get some turnovers. The offense needs to find their consistency but also needs to feature Josh Jacobs against a Cowboys teams that has been allowing 109.7 rushing yards per game. The Packers also need to protect Love. This isn’t just a revenge game for Micah Parsons. It’s a revenge game for Kenny Clark, too, who has already made sure to make his point made when he said he is excited to finally hit Love.
The Packers will need to make sure to limit Clark’s impact on the game.
Finally, Green Bay needs to make sure they aren’t in a position to rely on special teams to win a game.
If the Packers do these things, they should come away with a win and earn some rest with a much-needed bye week.
Final Score Prediction Packers at Cowboys
My Prediction:
Packers 31 – Cowboys 17
ChatGPT’s Prediction:
“Given Packers’ edge in pass rush (including Parsons’ impact), Dallas’ injuries (especially Lamb), and Green Bay’s ability to exploit secondary vulnerabilities, I lean toward a Packers road win — though not a blowout given the O-line concerns.”
Final Score Prediction: Packers 30, Cowboys 20
And as always,
Go Pack Go!
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Damon is a diehard, fully-immersed cheesehead who currently lives in southern Missouri. He teaches at a local high school and has a family YouTube channel about all things Packers. You can follow him on twitter at @packersfamily and on YouTube at The Packers Family.
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