By Zach Walker
Game Info
Dallas Cowboys vs. Green Bay Packers
Sunday – December 13 – 3:25 pm CT
TV: FOX
Lambeau Field – Green Bay, Wisconsin
Who do the Cowboys need to shut down?
RB Eddie Lacy – Eddie Lacy should be the face of all of the weekly fantasy football leagues, because if anyone out there drafted him in the first round, like I did, I feel your pain. It has been such a disappointment of a second season from Lacy, 517 yards and two touchdowns and as many fumbles. Against the Lions, he gained a whopping four yards rushing. The Cowboys need to shut him and his running mate James Starks down and force Aaron Rodgers to get the ball to his depleted wide receiver corps.
Who on the Cowboys, needs to step up?
RB Darren McFadden – If anyone were to tell me that Darren McFadden never lost two fumbles in a single game, in eight seasons played, until Monday night, I would have scoffed, probably given a puzzling look, then stare into the unknown, pondering if that was even possible. McFadden needs 21 yards to make this season his second best from a yards gained perspective, and that is going to happen this Sunday. The only thing that can’t happen from McFadden, is him fumbling the ball again. The Packers’ defense has some takeaway-men, and some players that can put the brakes on a team’s running game, and the Cowboys’ offensive line needs to get a push.
Which group will give the Cowboys fits?
The Packers’ defensive backs – The Packers’ had a strong secondary last time these teams clashed. In the draft, the Packers went after some playmakers to add to their unit. First rounder Damarious Randall has excellent range and versatility to play either corner or pinch safety, and in the second round, they might have taken the player with the most raw ability of any corner, Quinten Rollins, emphasis on raw, with him only playing a single season of college football. With Morgan Burnett, HaHa Clinton-Dix, Casey Hayward, and Sam Shields, I question if the Cowboys can get anything going through the air.
Which group will give the Packers fits?
The Cowboys’ defense – What trumped my disappointment in the Cowboys winning on Monday night, was my surprise in the way that they were playing defense. They were firing bullets at Kirk Cousins, blitzing safeties, corners, linebackers, sometimes the whole kitchen sink. The frustrating thing about a lot of the games this season, has been Rod Marinelli’s ‘We rush four’ mindset, of bringing zero additional pressure, and when the season hung in the balance, he bent to keep the season alive. Keeping the Packers’ backs in check, forcing the receivers, who aren’t very experienced and haven’t been very reliable, to make plays.
What will it take for the Cowboys to win?
There’s still time, we can lose this thing and get a damn good draft pick, if they win this… all bets are off.
Prediction: Green Bay 27 – Dallas 21
