The Cowboys offensive line will have to be on their game Sunday night.
FRISCO, Texas – As the Cowboys get ready for their Week 4 matchup against the Green Bay Packers, they’ll be without two starting offensive linemen in center Cooper Beebe and right guard Tyler Booker.
Dallas’ offensive line room has a mantra for themselves: Five as one. When one of the five go down, it’s on the rest of the group and whoever steps up to continue moving as a singular unit.
“The standard doesn’t change,” Smith said. “That’s part of our mantra as an o-line room. When somebody steps up, there can’t be any drop off. I have all the confidence in the world of whoever’s going to be in there whether it’s T.J [Bass]. or Hakeem [Adeniji] or whoever, that they’ll come in and they’ll do a great job.”
It’ll more than likely be Brock Hoffman starting at center for the second straight week, and Bass coming into to fill Booker’s spot. They’ll look to continue helping pave the way for Javonte Williams and Dallas’ rushing attack, which will be key early on come Sunday night.
“Ultimately, I think a lot of our success in this game is going to be based off our success on first and second down,” Smith said. “I think that’s about being on your keys early on, and just execute it from the jump.”
The Cowboys are facing a Packers defense that is first in the league in scoring defense, and fifth in total sacks this year with 10. Evidently, they’ve had success getting pressure on the quarterback. Does Smith think running right at Green Bay’s pass rushers can help them in the run game?
“I think football is as situational as anything else is, so I think if you dominate first and second down and you limit his opportunity to rush or freely rush the way he wants to, you’ll ultimately have more success for sure.” Smith said.
Micah Parsons says Dallas Cowboys contest just another game. No one believes that – Jarrett Bell, USA Today
The Cowboys and Micah Parsons will say this is just another game, but it’s not. For either team.
If you haven’t heard, Micah Parsons is headed back to Big D.
No, silly, Jerry Jones hasn’t found an answer for using his recently acquired draft capital to land the edge rusher the Dallas Cowboys desperately need for a woeful defense that, well, surely misses the presence of the edge rusher he traded to the Green Bay Packers nearly a month ago.
Parsons is headed back for a primetime showcase at Jerry World on Sunday night that looks like a slaughter waiting to happen – or perhaps a grand reminder of how much the Cowboys blew it in dealing away one of the NFL’s premier defensive players in his prime.
Of course, Parsons, who landed a four-year, $186 million contract in the exchange that averages $46.5 million annually and makes him the highest-paid non-quarterback in NFL history, downplayed the hype when he met with reporters in the locker room this week.
“I feel like this is going to be another game for me,” Parsons said.
3 key matchups to watch during Dallas Cowboys’ Week 4 matchup with Packers – Tyler Reed, SI.com
Three key matchups for the Cowboys heading into SNF.
Anthony Belton vs. Cowboys Pass Rush
Packers starting right tackle Zach Tom will more than likely be out for the Sunday night showdown. That means it’s the perfect time for Matt Eberflus to dial up the pressure and push Anthony Belton to his limits.
Cowboys Secondary vs. Packers Wide Receivers
The Packers offense is currently averaging 202 yards through the air. That’s not one of the top passing units in the game, but the Cowboys’ secondary has looked like Swiss cheese all season.
Eberflus might be dialing up the pressure with a wounded Packers offensive line, but will his secondary be able to hold up against the likes of Romeo Doubs and Matthew Golden?
Cowboys add veteran CB familiar with Week 4 opponent amid DB struggles – Randy Gurzi, SI.com
The Cowboys have added to the secondary on their practice squad.
As if playing one of the top teams in prime-time wasn’t enough of a challenge, the Cowboys could be going into the game without two of their best cornerbacks as DaRon Bland and Trevon Diggs are both dealing with injuries.
To help fill any void, the Cowboys signed a veteran cornerback on Thursday, and this move could have added benefits. The Cowboys are bringing in Corey Ballentine, who had two tenures with the Packers, which could give them some insight to their opponent this weekend.
Originally a sixth-round pick out of Washburn, Ballentine began his career with the New York Giants in 2019. He bounced around the league before spending three years with Green Bay (2022-2024).
He appeared in 37 games with seven starts for the Packers and had 54 tackles and one interception. Ballentine was a primary special teams player and has experience as a returner as well.
In 2025, he’s had a tough time sticking with a team. He was with the Indianapolis Colts originally, but re-signed with Green Bay after being released in August. Ballentine was waived at final cuts, then joined the New England Patriots as a member of their practice squad.
IS SUNDAY THE FIRST MUST-WIN GAME FOR THE DALLAS COWBOYS? – Shane Taylor, Inside the Star
Is week four a must win for the Cowboys?
Must Win?
I touched on it above, so let’s really dive into whether his game is a must-win for the Dallas Cowboys.
Without CeeDee Lamb and Tyler Booker, it is going to be tough, and this game is going to fall at the feet of Dak Prescott.
He has been good this year. Last week against the Bears, he had the game tied, and the defense could not force a punt to save their lives.
The team was driving in the second half when George Pickens flat out dropped the football, and it caused a INT which pretty much ended any hope because they couldn’t stop the Bears on offense.
When you lose your best offensive player within the first 5 minutes of the game, it throws everything off.
With that said, they have to figure something out, because the Packers just lost to the Browns, and I can tell you right now, they won’t score 10 points again, because this Matt Eberflus defense is the worst in football.
When you look at the NFC, it is hard to say if this game is a must-win, because after that they play the Jets and the Panthers. Both games they should win and get to 3-and-3 before playing the Commanders at home.
I don’t think Dallas is going to win this game. I do believe it will be a close game, but no CeeDee Lamb is going to be the difference.
The defense is a question mark, and they are going to have to make sure they take care of the football.
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