Brett's Cowboys Corner

The ghosts of “Did he catch it?” and Aaron Rodgers have haunted the Cowboys against the Packers rivalry recently. The Cowboys are 1-11 in the past 16 years playing the Packers. Dak Prescott has only beaten them once, in the regular season of his rookie year. Later that year, the Cowboys would be eliminated as the two-seed by Green Bay.

This last time the Packers were in AT&T Stadium, they became the first 7-seeded playoff team to ever win in the postseason, humiliating a Dallas team that couldn’t cover or move the ball.

The Cowboys will enter this game with the worst pass defense in the NFL. Missing their star WR Ceedee Lamb on offense. But ultimately, facing the player they traded away just 30 days ago.

DALLAS	PHILADELPHIA
Dak Prescott: Playing without some key offensive starters. Got to play with a chip on your shoulder, especially against this team.	Micah Parsons: Yeah this one is obvious. He has the ability to get the ultimate vengeance and destroy the Cowboys line.
DaRon Bland: Returning from injury to a chopped up secondary. A lot of pressure to be the savior back there.	Matthew Golden: The rookie WR waiting to have his first breakout game, it seems all WRs have their breakouts against Dallas.
Kenny Clark: Against his old team, hopefully can rough up the middle and make it tough on Love.	Tucker Kraft: Has been a challenge for Dallas. Leads all TEs in yards after the catch.

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The Keys to Victory-

1 – Offense Can’t Lose a Step.

Without Ceedee Lamb, the Cowboys offense can’t afford to start this game slow. This will be a big game for Kavontae Turpin, as he essentially replaces Lambs duties as the motion and short yardage guy. Turpin has been sent in motion on 31.3% of his snaps this season, the 5th-highest rate in the NFL (min. 75 snaps).He has also been in motion at the snap on 24.1% of those plays (3rd-highest rate). Turpin has totaled seven touches for 47 yards when sent in motion in 2025.

When the Cowboys traded for George Pickens in the offseason, it was to compliment Ceedee Lamb. We never wanted to see a time where Pickens would have to be the number one guy. But due to injuries, Pickens will now be targeted more. This is an important proving point for Pickens as he tries to secure a long term deal. I don’t want him trying to be anyone he is not, but knowing that those breaks on his route are going to be more important, and when the game is on the line…be ready for the ball.

Jake Ferguson was targeted on 12 of 25 routes when CeeDee Lamb was not on the field in Week 3. He has always been a security blanket for Prescott, and that will continue onto Sunday.

2 – Don’t Get Tunnel Vision on Parsons.

There is no doubt that when the Packers defense takes the field, everyone watching TV, every fan in the stadium will be fixated on #1. Anticipating him making a play. The importance is that the coaching staff doesn’t fall into the trance, or worse Dak Prescott. You can not play this whole game staring down Parsons and worried about him. The Packers have guys that can equally wreck shop.

The Packers have used Micah Parsons, Rashan Gary, and Lukas Van Ness all together on 22 of 187 defensive plays this season (11.8%), with 16 of those coming on third downs. On those 22 plays, the Packers have allowed just 1.5 yards per play while generating pressure on 36.3% of passing plays. Gary leads the Packers in sacks with 4.5.

Go for the chip blocks and make sure Parsons doesn’t get comfortable. But Green Bay will move him around the defense, so panicking where he is at every time can lead to disaster.

3 – Don’t Give Up on the Run.

Javonte Williams has been a bulldozer for Dallas, separating himself as the bell-cow back. It gets difficult if you are giving up scores and want big plays to stay in the game. But the running the ball has worked in favor of Dallas. Don’t give up on the run too early.

Javonte Williams has gained 4.6 yards after contact per carry this season, the 3rd-most in the NFL (min. 25 carries) and a number that would be the most by any Cowboys running back in the Next Gen Stats era. Williams’ previous career-high in yards before contact per carry was 4.0 in 2022, his second season in the league with the Broncos. The Packers have allowed just 170 rushing yards after contact in 2025, the 4th-fewest in the NFL.

4 – Pressure Love.

This one sounds easier than it has been for this Cowboys team. You have to pressure the QB. You didn’t pressure Wilson and he ripped your defense apart in week 2. Wilson’s performances in week 1 and 3 wouldn’t combine to the numbers he did against Dallas, and now he’s benched. Caleb Williams looked the most calm in the pocket last week than he ever has in his life.

Give Jordan Love time, and he’ll carve you up. Cowboys fans saw the painful proof in 2023, when he shredded Dallas for 272 yards and three touchdowns on just 21 attempts. The key stat from that game: Dallas didn’t record a single sack and managed just three quarterback hits all day.

Matt Eberflus talks about ‘scheming pressure’ well you got to send a blitz every once in awhile to do that coach.

I honestly feel like this game can be a direct copy of that playoff game. I hope Dallas can hold their faith high and keep it close. Who knows maybe the desperate team really does win.