After a 2-3 record through five weeks, the Dallas Cowboys desperately need a win as they look for answers to what went wrong. The offense has top-three potential, but the loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers showed it needs near-perfection to win. It wasn’t considered possible, but the defense has taken a step back from where it was last year under Matt Eberflus.
Now they travel to Green Bay to face a Packers team in a similar spot to Dallas, performing below expectations, but coming off a convincing, almost get-right game against their division rival, the Chicago Bears. After early-season struggles, Jordan Love has found his footing and should push the ball downfield with wide receivers Christian Watson and Matthew Golden.
The Cowboys will need all hands on deck, but three players could fly under the radar and swing the game if Dallas wants to leave Lambeau Field with its first win in the Dak Prescott era since the regular-season win in 2016.
Tyler Goodson
Cowboys offensive coordinator Klayton Adams said they need to give Tyler Goodson more touches on offense this week. In the last two weeks, the Cowboys RB2 has had just three carries. He had zero attempts in the loss to Tampa Bay.
When Dallas acquired Goodson, he showed some really good things against the Baltimore Ravens. Since then, the offense has relied too much on Javonte Williams to be both the power and speed back in the run game. Unfortunately, speed isn’t what Williams is best at.
Facing a Green Bay Packers pass defense that ranks fourth-best in EPA per pass play and 19th in EPA per rush, Dallas has to run the ball well this weekend to get the offense going. Goodson has done everything so far to show he’s earned more carries in the role carved out for Malik Davis. Against Green Bay, we should see him more in the screen game and have more explosive runs.
Ryan Flournoy
Similar to Goodson at running back, Ryan Flournoy could be in for his best game of the season. As mentioned above, the Packers have a really good pass defense. The unit gives up 6.4 pass yards per pass attempt, tied for eighth best with the Denver Broncos. That means they aren’t giving up explosive passes like Dallas’ defense does.
Packers defensive coordinator Jonathan Gannon has plenty of experience facing Dak Prescott, and with a lot of success. His last two matchups with the Arizona Cardinals have been some of his worst. Gannon will try to take away not just one of CeeDee Lamb and George Pickens, but both.
That means Flournoy will have some one-on-one matchups that he’ll have to win.
Flournoy’s best statistical game of the season came against Tampa Bay with three receptions for 90 yards. Given the looks he’ll get, this could be a game where he ends up with eight targets, seven receptions, and just over 100 yards. Flournoy hasn’t caught a touchdown pass this year, so let’s throw one in there for him too.
Bryan Anger
Nothing’s more under the radar than an NFL team’s punter. Bryan Anger hasn’t had to do much so far in five weeks. Entering Sunday, Anger will have punted only ten times. That ties Buffalo Bills punter Tommy Doman Jr. for the fewest punts in the NFL.
That’s a credit to Dallas’ efficient offense. Anger could matter more in this game because the Packers’ defense could limit the Cowboys’ passing attack, their bread and butter all season. If Dallas can’t get their running game going, we’ll see a lot more of Anger punting the ball away.
Pinning the Green Bay Packers offense deep in their own territory should ease the pressure on Dallas’ defense to work through its issues. Anger averages 49.6 yards per punt this year, tied for seventh best among punters, so more than enough leg to flip the field.
Dallas will win this game by staying efficient on offense while building momentum on defense. If Anger can pin the Packers inside their 20 for most of the game, that should set the defense up much better so their backs aren’t against the wall and Green Bay can run up the scoreboard.