Cowboys vs Packers: There's a significant misunderstanding that needs clearing up
When the NFL schedule was released earlier this year in May, Dallas Cowboys fans probably circled Week 10 as one of the big games. After all, a trip to Lambeau is always an important date. Even more so for the Cowboys, who have lost some notorious and still painful postseason showdowns against the Green Bay […]
When the NFL schedule was released earlier this year in May, Dallas Cowboys fans probably circled Week 10 as one of the big games. After all, a trip to Lambeau is always an important date. Even more so for the Cowboys, who have lost some notorious and still painful postseason showdowns against the Green Bay Packers.
But more than the importance of facing a team with which you share a lot of recent history, Week 10 felt like a "measuring stick" kind of game for the Cowboys. "If they're going to be good, they'll prove it at Lambeau," is a thought that had to be common for fans.
Coming out of the bye week 6-2 and traveling to face a team that's 3-6 squad that's dropped five straight games doesn't feel like that. Instead, it feels like a contest Dallas should win.
On one hand, you've got the 3rd-best team in the NFL per Football Outsiders' DVOA. On the other, Aaron Rodgers and the Packers rank 13th in the overall efficiency metric (stats entering Week 9).
Of course, winning in the NFL remains a very tough task and no game should be taken lightly. But make no mistake about what the expectations should be for this game. This won't be about figuring out what the Cowboys are this season. It will be about answering an essential question.
Can they take care of business against a lesser team on the road?
The Cowboys will be the healthiest team next Sunday
While the Cowboys rested on Sunday, the Packers had themselves a nightmare of a day. Not only did they lose against the Detroit Lions 15-9 and fell short of a vintage Rodgers comeback, but they walked out of that one limping off the field.
On top of walking into the game already hurt, the Packers sustained the following injuries on Sunday:
- WR Romeo Doubs (starter)
- CB Eric Stokes (starter
- OG Jon Runyan Jr (starter)
- OT David Bakhtiari (starter)
- WR Christian Watson (starting/rotational rookie)
- EDGE Rashan Gary (starter)
- RB Aaron Jones (starter)
That's quite the list, unfortunately. During the week, injury reports will be a huge storyline for this game but it's difficult to imagine a scenario in which the Packers are at full strength.
Early reports indicate star pass rusher Rashan Gary will have season-ending surgery to fix what's feared to be a torn ACL.
While I would much rather watch the Cowboys beat a healthy squad next Sunday, it will be important for them to make the most out of this situation.
Entering Week 9, the look-ahead betting line for this game had the Cowboys as three-point favorites. The spread has since moved to 4.5.
Featured image via Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports
