The Dallas Cowboys (2-3) visit the Green Bay Packers (3-2) at Lambeau Field in Green Bay on Sunday night, Oct 18, kickoff 8:20 PM ET on NBC.
Dallas scores and allows points in bunches: 138 scored and 136 allowed in five games, with a 1-1 road record. Green Bay has been the lower-scoring team, 104 scored and 112 allowed, and is 1-1 at home and 2-1 on the road.
Green Bay's injuries are concentrated on the defensive interior. Defensive tackles Javon Hargrave and Jonathan Ford are out, and end Jordon Riley is doubtful, with defensive tackle Anthony Campbell questionable. Cornerback Benjamin St-Juste and receiver Skyy Moore are out. On offense, guard Aaron Banks and center Jacob Monk are questionable, along with receiver Savion Williams and cornerback Brandon Cisse.
Dallas is without tackle Drew Shelton and cornerback Cobie Durant. Cornerbacks Joey Porter Jr. and Ameer Speed, linebacker DeMarvion Overshown and defensive tackle LT Overton are questionable.
The trenches tell part of the story. Green Bay's pass rush gets home on 7.5% of dropbacks, and Dallas allows just 3.0%. Dallas sacks 3.5% against a Green Bay front that allows 5.2%. On the ground, Dallas runs for 3.8 yards a carry against a Packers defense that allows 4.2, while Green Bay runs for just 3.4 against a Dallas defense that allows 5.3.
The question for Green Bay is whether its run game can finally find room against a Dallas defense that has been generous on the ground, with two interior defenders missing on its own side.
My call: Packers 29, Cowboys 21.