Cowboys vs Packers Game Analysis: Bucs Are the Key
Sunday Night Football features the Dallas Cowboys visiting the Packers on October 18. The game starts at 8:20 pm ET.
The Packers are coming home after a huge Week 5 win over the Bears in Chicago, while the Cowboys lost at home to the Buccaneers in a relatively low-scoring game.
The Packers beat the Bucs in Week 4 in another low-scoring game. That gives a clue to which team is favored in this matchup. Here at PayPerHead, you’ll find our Cowboys vs Packers prediction and everything you need to know ahead of this game.
Dallas Cowboys Recent Scores: Prescott Can Pass
Week 2 against the Commanders marked Dak Prescott’s 249th touchdown pass, setting a new record. It broke Tony Romo’s career franchise record of 248 touchdown passes.
CeeDee Lamb had his best performance in Week 4 against the Texans with a career-high 17 receptions for 189 receiving yards. He also caught the go-ahead 12-yard touchdown pass with 40 seconds left in the game.
The Cowboys gave the Bucs their first win in Week 5.
- Week 1: at Giants 20-28 (loss)
- Week 2: vs Commanders 37-20 (win)
- Week 3: vs Ravens 31-34 (loss)
- Week 4: at Texans 34-30 (win)
- Week 5: vs Buccaneers 16-24 (loss)
Green Bay Packers Recent Scores: Trampled Bears
Week 1 was difficult for the Packers as they blew a 22-17 lead late in the third quarter. The Vikings scored 22 unanswered points to win. Although the Packers had almost twice as many total yards (419 vs Vikings 239), they were hampered by third-down efficiency (3/12 vs Vikings 8/15), turnovers, and penalties (12 for 98 yards vs Vikings 3 for 15 yards).
The Packers weren’t taking any chances in Week 5. They had lost to the Bears in their last two matchups after being ahead by double digits in the fourth quarter. That included an NFC wild-card 31-27 playoff loss. Jordan Love threw for 367 yards, the most by a Packers quarterback against the Bears at Lambeau Field. Their defense forced five turnovers.
- Week 1: at Vikings 22-39 (loss)
- Week 2: at Jets 20-17 (win)
- Week 3: vs Falcons 14-35 (loss)
- Week 4: at Buccaneers 17-14 (win)
- Week 5: vs Bears 31-7 (win)
Cowboys vs Packers History: Packers By a Lot
These rivals have been tackling each other since their first meeting in November 1960.
They’ve met 40 times with the Packers leading the rivalry 22-17-1. But their postseason games are what really fired up that rivalry. They played nine playoff games against each other, with the Packers winning the first two and the last three. The Cowboys won the four in between.
From 1992 to 1997, the teams combined for five Super Bowl appearances and four Super Bowl championships.
Since 2000, they’ve met three times in the postseason:
- 2014 NFC Divisional – Packers won: 26-21
- 2016 NFC Divisional – Packers won: 34-31
- 2023 NFC Wild Card – Packers won: 48-32
The Packers are 10-1-1 in the last 12 meetings, including playoffs.
Cowboys vs Packers Prediction: Cowboys Must Rush
The Packers, who have a better record, are playing at home, and were able to beat the Bucs (which the Cowboys couldn’t), are only 1.5-point favorites in this game.
The Cowboys’ defense has holes that the Packers and Love can exploit. But both teams can put up high numbers on offense. This could turn into a shootout unless the secondaries can stop the pass. The Packers are bad at stopping the running game.
Our Cowboys vs Packers prediction is a 30-24 win for the Packers, as they’ll easily cover the spread. Remember, the Packers are 10-1-1 against the Cowboys in the last 12 meetings. Remember to follow us on social media to stay tuned this NFL season.
