7 Things to Know About the Dallas Cowboys Ahead of Week 6 Matchup vs. Packers

The Green Bay Packers enter Week 6 feeling good after improving to 3-2 following a 31-7 blowout victory over the Chicago Bears. Meanwhile, their opponent, the Dallas Cowboys, are 2-3, coming off a 24-16 loss to the previously winless Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Here are seven things to know about the Cowboys heading into Sunday night’s contest.

Prescott threw for more than 300 yards for the second consecutive game in a Week 5 loss to the Buccaneers, but that was about the only positive. The four-time Pro Bowler was picked off twice after throwing just one interception through the first four weeks, and posted a season-low 57.1% completion percentage.

CeeDee Lamb and George Pickens have grown into one of the league’s most dangerous wide receiver duos. Even without much of a rushing attack, the pair have thrived this season, combining for 66 catches for 862 yards and five touchdowns.

The only wideout duo that’s been more productive this year has been Christian Watson and Matthew Golden of the Packers, with 50 receptions for 871 yards and eight touchdowns combined.

The Packers’ rushing attack has been virtually nonexistent this season, ranking 32nd in the NFL. But the Cowboys are giving them a run for their money, posting just 81.6 yards on the ground per game, 30th in the league.

Javonte Williams leads Dallas’ backfield, rushing for 276 yards, the 18th-most among running backs. The Cowboys’ second-leading rusher? Quarterback Dak Prescott with 66 yards.

Ahead of the season, the Cowboys made the Packers’ former defensive quality control coach the youngest defensive coordinator in the franchise’s history. So far, the move hasn’t paid off, as Dallas has one of the worst defenses in the NFL, ranked 31st in yards allowed.

Meanwhile, things could be getting worse for Parker. Earlier this week, the Cowboys hired another former Packers coach, Mike Pettine, as a senior advisor on defense.

Speaking of bad defensive play, the Cowboys are tied with the Indianapolis Colts and Tennessee Titans for the fewest takeaways in the NFL with just three. Meanwhile, they’re the only team in the league that has yet to record an interception.

The Packers traded the former Pro Bowler to the Cowboys in March for a fourth-round pick, and the deal isn’t looking too bad for Green Bay. Gary’s 15 pressures are the 26th most in the NFL among edge rushers, but he hasn’t stood out much for Dallas’ woeful defense, ranking 69th in defensive grade (59.6) and 99th in run defense grade (46.9), per Pro Football Focus.

The Cowboys are allowing a league-worst 168.4 yards per game on the ground heading into Week 6. Last Thursday, Buccaneers running back Bucky Irving carried the ball 21 times for 165 yards and a touchdown.

The Packers’ run game has failed to find its rhythm through five weeks, but they’ll have an excellent opportunity to change that on Sunday night.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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