Packers Wire staff predictions: Week 10 vs. Cowboys
The Green Bay Packers (3-6) will welcome Mike McCarthy back to Lambeau Field for what amounts to a do-or-die game against the Dallas Cowboys (6-2) on Sunday afternoon.
Upset the Cowboys and maybe there’s life. Lose a seventh game in 10 tries and the season all but ends.
Here’s how the staff at Packers Wire believes the Week 10 showdown against the Cowboys will go down:
Zach Kruse (3-6): Cowboys 24, Packers 13
It might be a November game at Lambeau Field with Aaron Rodgers at quarterback, but it’s still difficult to envision the Packers scoring enough points to win this game. The Cowboys defense ranks first in DVOA; the Packers just scored nine points in a loss to the Lions. This is a bad matchup for the Packers in a lot of ways and Matt LaFleur’s team will need to play exceedingly well – especially running the ball and defending the pass – to have a chance. With the passing game in complete disarray and now the defense losing edge rusher Rashan Gary and cornerback Eric Stokes, the Packers are in a tough spot. A blowout here is possible. This is a reeling football team lacking talent on offense against one of the NFL’s best and most complete teams coming off a bye week. Cowboys, big.
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Brandon Carwile (4-5): Cowboys 21, Packers 14
As much as I’d like to see Green Bay spoil Mike McCarthy’s homecoming and snap their five-game losing streak, I have no reason to believe they can beat a very well-coached Dallas team. The Packers should have won last week if not for a horrid performance from Aaron Rodgers. For whatever reason, this team just can’t get out of its own way. I actually think the defense has picked up some momentum these last three weeks, but can’t say the same for the offense. Then we were hit with the Rashan Gary news, which will make it extremely difficult to generate a consistent pass rush for the rest of the season. However, this week the Cowboys may not need to air it out much with their two-headed backfield. The Cowboys will stick to their run game in this one to dominate time of possession and keep the ball away from a struggling offense that needs as many at bats as possible to score points. Meanwhile, Aaron Rodgers and the offense won’t be as bad as last week but still not good enough to win. Make it six losses in a row with Jordan Love starting to warm up in the bullpen.
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Paul Bretl (4-5): Cowboys 24, Packers 13
Based on pressure rate and sacks, the Cowboys are the best at getting after the quarterback, they do, however, struggle at times against the run. A heavy dose of Aaron Jones and the run game will be a must for the Packers if they are going to find success. If they become pass-heavy, it’s over. The Green Bay defense should also expect to see a lot of the Dallas running backs. Putting Dallas in obvious pass situations will be important so the Green Bay pass rush can try to take advantage of a sub-par pass protection unit. At this point, I just can’t pick the Packers. I don’t trust the offense to put up points against another top defense, while the Green Bay defense will eventually breakdown after being relied upon too often.
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Brennen Rupp (4-5): Cowboys 20, Packers 16
The Packers are coming off a week in which they scored nine points against a Detroit Lions defense that was giving up 32 points per game. There isn’t much faith that Aaron Rodgers and this offense will turn it around against a defense that will put constant pressure on the back-to-back MVP. That front seven is led by Micah Parons, who is single-handly capable of taking over a game. It’s not sexy. It’s not a quick-strike offense. This is the game that the Packers will have to commit to the run game early and often. It’s boring. But they need to string together 10 to 12-play drives and finish them off with touchdowns. That’s going to be the way they win this game. I don’t see that happening. Give me the Cowboys 20-16.
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Writer | Prediction | Score | Record |
Zach Kruse | Loss | 24-13 | 3-6 |
Brandon Carwile | Loss | 21-14 | 4-5 |
Paul Bretl | Loss | 24-13 | 4-5 |
Brennen Rupp | Loss | 20-16 | 4-5 |
