Why the Green Bay Packers should scare the Dallas Cowboys
![Oct 16, 2016; Green Bay, WI, USA; Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (12) scrambles with the football during the third quarter against the Dallas Cowboys at Lambeau Field. The Cowboys won 30-16. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports Oct 16, 2016; Green Bay, WI, USA; Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (12) scrambles with the football during the third quarter against the Dallas Cowboys at Lambeau Field. The Cowboys won 30-16. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/https-3A-2F-2Fthelandryhat-com-2Ffiles-2F2017-2F01-2F9614413-aaron-rodgers-nfl-dallas-cowboys-green-bay-packers-850x560-b5080e6f9bf5b718a921905550431dc06e1bd5be45f3eee97d7cdf5e8a8156a0.jpg)
2. The Power of a coach: Mike McCarthy
As much as Rodgers deserves credit for correcting the Packers’ compass, the man in charge deserves his due. A Super Bowl winning coach, McCarthy has side-stepped critics with wins and rallying his team together.
But the Cowboys did best the coach this year already. Once again, though, I remind you that this is a new season with a totally different atmosphere. It’ll be interesting how the Cowboys’ coaches rediscover their momentum off a bye week, especially against a team coming off seven straight wins.
Best Prescription: Jason Garrett. It’s his time. Time to whip out those Princeton smarts.
3. The Hail Mary Receivers
Wide receivers Davante Adams, Randall Cobb and Jordy Nelson will not be a fun task for the Cowboys secondary. The trio combined for 14 catches, 254 yards and four receiving scores against the Giants last Sunday.
Yikes.
If the Packers can run up the score early, this will create a major advantage for Green Bay as the game goes on. The Cowboys play their game by controlling the tempo, securing long drives with scores, and by relying on their backbone — the offensive line.
If the Packers start darting passes around the field early with success, the Boys will become a one-dimensional team, which is something Rodgers and McCarthy want.
Best Prescription: Ezekiel Elliott. Time to play keep away. A dose of Morris Claiborne, who is expected to play, is an awesome piece of medicine worth mentioning, too.
4. A Shoot Out
However you spin it, this Sunday at 4:40 EST the NFL will host two teams with red-hot offenses. I have no idea which way this game will tilt, but I feel, an all-out shoot out is in the realm of possibility.
I’m thinking a playoff game with each team scoring 30 or so points.
The Cowboys ended the 2016 season with the fifth best offense. The Packers? Three spots down at number eight.
Next: The top 10 Dallas Cowboys to never win a Super Bowl
Best Prescription: The Dallas Cowboys defense. Wow. There. I wrote it. The defense.
The Cowboys finished 2016 with the 14th best defense, while the Packers landed at number 22. Though the Packers have proved they could stop the run, their pass defense isn’t on par. The defense has allowed 4308 passing yards in 2016, which ranks them at 31st in the league.