Dallas Cowboys vs Green Bay Packers: What's the Game Plan for Dallas?

The 2014 NFC Divisional Round matchup between the Cowboys and Packers featured two quarterbacks in the middle of MVP-level seasons, leading two of the most explosive offenses in the NFL. The 2015 regular-season Week 14 matchup between the same teams features two offenses struggling to generate consistent yardage, and put up points on a weekly basis.

Let’s take a look at some things that could show up in the Dallas game plan as they attempt to take down the Packers on Sunday afternoon.

Offensive Game Plan

The strength of the Packers defense is their front seven. Players like Mike Daniels, BJ Raji, Clay Matthews and Julius Peppers are all playmakers who make up a very difficult group of players against the run and pass in their 3-4 scheme.

Dom Capers’ defense has a lot of young talent in the secondary that have made some big plays, but ultimately they are anchored on the front end of the defense.

For the Cowboys to move the ball successfully, they’re going to need to get the ball to the outside to their wide receivers quickly, using efficient throws to get the ball out of Matt Cassel’s hands.

If the Cowboys can force the Packers secondary to make tackles one-on-one in space, Dez Bryant, Terrance Williams and Cole Beasley should be able to generate some explosive plays and points.

Continuing to utilize the speed of Lucky Whitehead on the edges of the defense to create big plays will also help relieve pressure from the inside of the formation and set the base running game up for success.    

Defensive Game Plan

The key to stopping the Packers offense is playing tight physical coverage on their wide receivers. With Jordy Nelson on injured reserve there really isn’t a receiver on the Packers squad that can test a defense deep down the field.

Schematically the Packers are always a team that throws a lot of quick slants and shallow crossing routes, but without the consistent deep threat from Nelson, defenses have been able to play those underneath routes extremely aggressively keeping them from working open.

With all of those quick routes covered up, Aaron Rodgers will hold on to the ball trying to give his guys a chance to run open. This hesitation should give the Cowboys pass-rushers the extra second they might need to get in Rodgers’ face, and bring him down for a few sacks.

Prediction:

I predict Bryant has one of “those” games, and really dominates from start to finish. The defense is able to play sticky coverage on the Green Bay receivers, and although Rodgers has a decent second half, the Cowboys come away with a win.

Prediction: Cowboys 24, Packers 21