Winners of back-to-back games for the first time in 2026, the Green Bay Packers will now look forward to hosting the Dallas Cowboys in a primetime showdown at Lambeau Field in Week 6. The Cowboys have struggled defensively through five games and are 2-3, a disappointing start considering two of three losses came to the New York Giants and Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Brian Schottenheimer's team has a talented offense, is coming off a stunning loss in Week 5 and will be the better rested team on Sunday, so the Packers have a big test awaiting them on "Sunday Night Football."
Here's a closer look at the Cowboys entering Week 6:
Last week
The Cowboys were stunned at home to open Week 5, falling to the previously winless Tampa Bay Buccaneers at AT&T Stadium by a 24-16
final on "Thursday Night Football." Dallas turned the ball over three times and lost the time of possession battle 39:21 to 20:39. Buccaneers running back Bucky Irving rushed for 165 yards, including a game-changing 72-yard run to open the second half. Star receiver CeeDee Lamb caught only two passes before exiting with a quad injury, and Dak Prescott threw a pair of interceptions, including a game-clinching pick with Dallas down eight late. The Cowboys allowed 241 rushing yards. The Buccaneers, who lost to the Packers in Week 4, scored 17 points in the third quarter to take control.
Newcomers
The Cowboys continued using trades to reshape the defense, acquiring edge rusher Rashan Gary, linebacker Dee Winters and cornerback Joey Porter Jr. via swaps with other teams. Gary leads the team with 15 pressures, and he got his first sack in months during Week 4, but he looks like the same off-and-on player he was to end his Packers tenure. With two first-round picks, the Cowboys drafted defensive back Caleb Downs and edge rusher Malachi Lawerence, and third-round pick Jaishawn Barham and fourth-round pick LT Overton are playing roles on defense. The Cowboys offense is largely unchanged from 2025, although former Packer Tyler Goodson is now the backup running back. Veteran edge rusher Von Miller is getting snaps in passing situations. Former Packers coach Christian Parker is the Cowboys first-year defensive coordinator, and former Packers secondary coach Derrick Ansley is the defensive pass game coordinator.
Quarterback play
Dak Prescott, now in Year 11, is one of the NFL's top veteran quarterbacks. Through five weeks, Prescott is completing 67.2 percent of his passes and averaging 7.2 yards per attempt, with nine touchdown passes, three interceptions and a passer rating of 97.2. He's accurate, remarkably consistent and unafraid to push the ball downfield, especially to his elite receiver duo. Prescott has taken only six sacks, and his pressure-to-sack percentage is currently the lowest of his career. He can move in the pocket, and while lacking elite speed, he's a big quarterback who can get outside the pocket and create first downs with his legs. In terms of quarterback quality and wide receiver talent, Prescott and the Cowboys represent the most difficult test yet for Jonathan Gannon's Packers defense.
Injury situation
Receiver CeeDee Lamb is expected to return after missing part of last week's loss with a quad injury. The Cowboys were without defensive back Cobie Durant, linebacker DeMarvion Overshown and rookie offensive lineman Drew Shelton due to injuries, and cornerback Joey Porter Jr. didn't play because of an illness. Safeties Jalen Thompson and P.J. Locke and defensive lineman Jonathan Bullard on among those on injured reserve. All-Pro guard Tyler Smith returned from injured reserve and played in Week 5.
Players to know
RB Javonte Williams: He's scored six rushing touchdowns, created five runs over 10 yards and caught 17 passes through the first five games. Williams is averaging only 3.7 yards per carry, but his success rate is 52.7 percent. Last season, Williams forced 54 missed tackles.
WR George Pickens: CeeDee Lamb is Dak Prescott's go-to target, but Pickens is equally dangerous as a downfield weapon who can make contested catches. He tortured the Packers in last year's matchup. Through five games, Pickens already has 11 contested catches. He'll be a handful for Keisean Nixon and Brandon Cisse.
DL Quinnen Williams: He's off to a slow start in 2026, with only 13 pressures and 1.0 sack through five games, but Williams can be an elite disruptor. He has four straight seasons with at least 50 pressures. The Packers interior offensive line has a big test ahead.
WR/KR Kavonte Turpin: He has only six touches on offense so far in 2026, but he's a dangerous player with the ball in his hands. Elite speed. That speed and playmaking ability translate perfectly as a returner, and Turpin handles punts and kicks for the Cowboys. Can the Packers keep him from making a game-changing play?
LT Tyler Guyton: The Cowboys took him five spots after the Packers drafted Jordan Morgan in the first round in 2024. Guyton has struggled to start his NFL career but might finally be settling in at left tackle. He hasn't allowed a sack (but 12 pressures) and has an elite run blocking grade at PFF.
This article originally appeared on Packers Wire: Packers vs. Cowboys: 5 things to know about Green Bay's Week 6 opponent
