FRISCO, Texas — The Dallas Cowboys face another major test Sunday night when they visit the Green Bay Packers, hoping to turn the page after a frustrating loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and regain their footing in the NFC.
Dallas fell 24-16 to Tampa Bay in its previous outing. Now, the Cowboys must prepare for a Green Bay team that has given them problems in recent years, with improved execution and defensive discipline likely to play significant roles in the outcome.
The matchup also renews a rivalry that produced a memorable 40-40 tie in Week 4 of the 2025 season. The teams combined for 80 points in that contest, setting up another intriguing meeting at Lambeau Field.
Prescott and the passing attack hold the key
Quarterback Dak Prescott will lead Dallas’ effort to generate offense against Green Bay. In seven career appearances against the Packers, Prescott has completed 66.3% of his passes for 2,250 yards, 20 touchdowns and 10 interceptions, according to the supplied team statistics.
Wide receivers CeeDee Lamb and George Pickens will be central to the Cowboys’ offensive plans. Pickens caught eight passes for 134 yards and two touchdowns in last season’s tie, demonstrating his ability to create big plays against the Packers.
Lamb has also enjoyed success in the matchup. During Dallas’ overtime loss at Lambeau Field in 2022, he recorded 11 receptions for 150 yards and two touchdowns.
Tight end Jake Ferguson gives Prescott another weapon in the passing game. Ferguson caught 10 passes for 93 yards and scored three touchdowns in the Cowboys’ 2023 NFC wild-card playoff game against Green Bay.
Dallas will need to complement its passing attack with a more consistent running game. Avoiding negative rushing plays and staying ahead of the chains would help keep the offense balanced and give Prescott more options on critical downs.
Cowboys defense faces a challenge
Dallas’ defensive execution remains a major storyline heading into Sunday night. The Cowboys have struggled with consistency, and the coaching staff has emphasized the need to improve communication, coverage and assignment discipline.
Defensive coordinator Christian Parker said the team must take responsibility for the mistakes that have contributed to its uneven start.
“We’ve got to worry about ourselves and what we’re doing internally,” Parker said. “It’s been a lot of self-inflicted wounds these first five games by us. Things that are fully under our control.”
Parker’s message reflects the Cowboys’ focus on correcting preventable errors rather than allowing them to undermine the team’s performance. Against Green Bay, those corrections will be particularly important when defending third downs and limiting explosive plays.
Packers quarterback Jordan Love presents a difficult challenge with his ability to attack downfield. Dallas must maintain sound coverage and avoid allowing receivers to get behind the secondary.
The Cowboys also need a more effective pass rush to prevent Love from comfortably working through his progressions. Generating pressure while maintaining coverage discipline could help disrupt Green Bay’s offensive rhythm.
Pettine adds experience to the coaching staff
Dallas has brought veteran defensive coach Mike Pettine aboard as a senior defensive assistant, adding another experienced voice to the staff’s efforts to improve the unit.
Head coach Brian Schottenheimer said discussions about bringing Pettine into the organization began earlier in the year. Their existing relationship and Pettine’s experience made him a valuable addition.
Pettine is expected to contribute through film study, advance scouting and collaboration with the defensive coaching staff. His perspective could be particularly useful as Dallas evaluates its pass rush and the coordination between the defensive front and secondary.
The Cowboys hope the additional experience will help them address the problems that have surfaced during the season’s opening stretch.
History adds another layer to the rivalry
Green Bay has won five of the previous six meetings between the teams, including postseason contests, according to the historical notes provided.
Dallas’ most recent regular-season victory at Lambeau Field came in October 2016, when the Cowboys won 30-16. The Packers won the last regular-season meeting at Lambeau, defeating Dallas 31-28 in overtime on Nov. 13, 2022.
The 2025 tie added another chapter to the rivalry, but the Cowboys will be looking for a different result this time.
For Dallas, the path to victory starts with taking care of the football, establishing offensive balance and eliminating defensive mistakes. Against a Green Bay team capable of producing explosive plays, the Cowboys cannot afford to repeatedly put themselves in difficult situations.
Sunday night’s contest will test whether Dallas can translate its corrections from the practice field into a more complete performance when it matters most.
Game Information
- Matchup: Dallas Cowboys at Green Bay Packers
- Date: Sunday, Oct. 18, 2026
- Kickoff: 7:20 p.m. CDT
- Location: Lambeau Field, Green Bay, Wisconsin
- Television: NBC
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