Just last season, the Green Bay Packers
(3-2) and Dallas Cowboys (2-3) produced one of the most thrilling overtime ties in NFL history, with nine consecutive scores -- including field goals from the Packers as time expired in regulation and overtime -- ending the 40-40 tie. What do the Packers and Cowboys have in store for an encore when the two teams meet again on "Sunday Night Football" from Lambeau Field?The Packers, fresh off a blowout win over the rival Chicago Bears, will attempt to win a third straight game and continue ascending after a 1-2 start. The Cowboys, meanwhile, are coming off a disappointing home loss on "Thursday Night Football" to start Week 5 but will be properly motivated and well-rested ahead of Sunday night.
Five things
to watch and a prediction for Packers-Cowboys:
1. Big defensive test
It's time to find out something real about Jonathan Gannon's defense. For the first time this season, the Packers will face an upper echelon quarterback and an offense with terrific weapons at running back and wide receiver. Dak Prescott isn't Jalon Daniels or Tyson Bagent, two inexperienced backups. Prescott is in Year 11 and remarkably consistent down to down and week to week. Considering Justin Jefferson and Drake London both had big games in early season matchups with the Packers, CeeDee Lamb and George Pickens will likely present big problems for the pass defense, especially with Keisean Nixon and Benjamin St-Juste dealing with injuries. Even if Nixon plays, the Packers have a tough test ahead. Green Bay gave up 40 points to this team last season, and Micah Parsons was available and Lamb wasn't. That'll be switched up on Sunday night.
2. Play action pressure
Can the Packers keep thriving in the play-action passing game? Over the last two weeks, Jordan Love has completed 20 of 23 passes and thrown three touchdown passes off play-action calls, and Matt LaFleur is dialing up more and more run action as the offensive line has finally settled in. The matchup against a struggling Dallas defense looks like a good one, too. In recent games against the Cowboys, C.J. Stroud completed 7 of 10 passes off play-action for 153 yards, while Lamar Jackson completed all six passes and threw two touchdown passes off-playaction. Expect opportunities for big plays if LaFleur keeps dialing it up. The Packers don't need a strong run game to be efficient in the play-action passing game.
3. Facing former Packers
The big news in Dallas this week was the hiring of former Packers defensive coordinator Mike Pettine as a consultant on the defensive staff of Christian Parker, another former Packers coach. The long-time NFL coach will attempt to revive Parker's struggling defense, which features a pair of former Packers as starters -- Kenny Clark and Rashan Gary. Is there a revenge game factor in play? That's usually overrated, but Matt LaFleur said he expects Clark and Gary to "play with their hair on fire" on Sunday night. Gary has a team-high 15 pressures, but he's been an inconsistent defender to start his tenure in Dallas. Clark is showing signs of decline. Former Packers running back Tyler Goodson is now the backup behind Javonte Williams, and he'll help on kickoff return. Keep an eye on Gary, who wears No. 7 for the Cowboys. He'll get a matchup against second-year right tackle Anthony Belton, who has been excellent in pass pro over the last two weeks.
4. Can the run game get going?
The Packers run game remains on life support, but help might be on the way. The Cowboys are allowing 5.1 yards per carry this season, and four of the team's five opponents have rushed for at least 160 yards, including 241 by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers last week. This has to be the week the Packers are more efficient running the ball. MarShawn Lloyd hasn't put up big numbers but appears to be making progress, and Kaleb Johnson is good for one explosive run a week. It's also possible the Packers will get the starting debut from Kevin Zeitler at right guard, which could provide another boost for the offensive line. Does an attractive matchup, subtle signs of improvement and possibly a new starter along the offensive line equal a breakout game for the run game?
5. Return game
The Packers are unlikely to have returner Skyy Moore, who hurt his ankle last week and hasn't practiced this week. It's possible Savion Williams will be activated to help on kickoff return, but it appears the punt return job is fluid in the short term. Can the Cowboys create a field-position advantage in the return game? Kavontae Turpin has elite speed and is one of the NFL's most dynamic returners, so the Packers coverage units will be under stress. Don't look away during punts and kicks on Sunday night because the Packers have question marks without Moore and Turpin is a dangerous player. Speaking of special teams, can rookie kicker Trey Smack bounce back after last week's struggles? He can't let one bad day snowball into something bigger.
Prediction: Packers 31, Cowboys 29 (3-2)
A shootout appears unavoidable, but which defense is more likely to produce the one big stop or takeaway? The Cowboys have given up 10 touchdown passes and don't have an interception this season, while the Packers are first in interceptions and fourth in total takeaways, and Jonathan Gannon's group is finding ways of generating pressure on the quarterback without Micah Parsons. Dak Prescott, Javonte Williams, CeeDee Lamb and George Pickens are going to create big plays for the visitors, but will they outscore an ascending Packers offense that is facing what might be a bottom-5 defense in 2026? There should be some fear of a letdown after an emotional win over the rival Bears last week, so check the energy and execution levels early. But the Packers have mostly stabilized since changing up the offensive line. The Cowboys are unpredictable and there appears to be no easy fix to the defense. Expect points and an entertaining, back-and-forth battle, but the guess here is the Packers swing the game at some point with a takeaway and get the late score to win.
This article originally appeared on Packers Wire: Packers vs. Cowboys: 5 things to watch and a prediction for Week 6
