While many do not expect the Cowboys to beat the Packers this Sunday, that doesn’t mean individual players can’t still have a good game. Here are some Dallas players we expect to thrive in this matchup with Green Bay, and some others who could be in for a long day.
With Brian Schottenheimer promising changes following the humiliating loss in Chicago, particularly on defense, projecting things this week is a little trickier. The Packers are also coming off a rough loss to the Browns, their first of the season. But even if both teams make adjustments, there are still some things we feel comfortable projecting.
BUY
RB Javonte Williams
Currently the league’s eighth-best back in rushing yards per game, Williams stands to keep his strong start rolling against the Packers. They just gave up 94 yards on 18 carries to Cleveland rookie Quinshon Judkins. One of those was a 38-yard run, which certainly improved the overall performance, but we’ve seen breakaway potential from Williams this year. He’s been excellent at adding extra yards with his power and tackle-breaking, which will be vital in this matchup.
Granted, the job gets harder with G Tyler Booker’s absence due to an ankle injury. But T.J. Bass isn’t some bum, and Dallas still has a strong left side to run behind with Tyler Smith leading the way. This is a big game for OC Klayton Adams to show his ability to maximize the strengths of the players he has available.
The key for Williams is if the Cowboys can stay in this game long enough to keep him going. Between CeeDee Lamb’s absence and trying to neutralize Micah Parsons, you know they’ll emphasize the run early. But if Green Bay starts pulling away, we’ve already seen Dallas lean heavily on Dak Prescott and forget about the run.
DE Marshawn Kneeland
Much attention will be paid to Dallas’ pass rushers, especially given Parsons’ return and the expected debut of Jadeveon Clowney. But the Packers have been run-heavy so far this year, with Josh Jacobs among the league leaders in carries. While Green Bay may look more to their passing given the Cowboys’ defensive issues, they’ll still turn to Jacobs often. That keeps Kneeland on the field as a primary run stopper and gives him more opportunities when the Packers do opt to pass out of those looks.
If Green Bay does focus on stopping Clowney, Donovan Ezeiruaku, and Dante Fowler, then that also helps Kneeland’s chances of making plays. They will be hurting on the right side with starting OT Zach Tom and his backup, Anthony Belton, both ruled out with injuries. Dallas will naturally attack that spot with their primary rushers, and Green Bay will likely send extra blockers that way to counter. That should give Kneeland and whoever else is coming from the other side more one-on-one matchups.
SELL
OT Terence Steele
We all know that Steele isn’t great in pass protection. Well, so does Micah Parsons. They played together from 2021 to 2024, and Parsons saw all of the ways to take advantage of that matchup. While Green Bay will likely move him around the line, especially with Tyler Guyton’s own inconsistency and backups playing at center and guard, Steele should draw considerable attention. Even if he sees more of Rashan Gary, who’s no slouch as a pass rusher in his own right, Dallas’ right tackle may not get out of this one without some scars.
S Malik Hooker & Donovan Wilson
If Green Bay does look to exploit Dallas’ pass defense issues, the safeties will be in the crosshairs often. Packers TE Tucker Kraft is their leading receiver so far in every key category. And if they do try some things with the deep ball, especially given rookie WR Matthew Golden’s speed, Hooker or Wilson could easily be eating dust.
That said, we could see more of Juanyeh Thomas and Markquese Bell this week. The older veterans have been given their due deference so far this year, but something has to change with this pass defense. Dallas is still waiting for more options to return at cornerback, so safety is a spot where they can do something now.
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