Packers: Five players to watch vs. Cowboys in Week 5
By Jesse Fry
3. Jimmy Graham
After being singled out as a player Rodgers felt needed to be more involved in the passing game, Jimmy Graham put up his best game of the 2019 season, with six catches for 60 yards and a touchdown.
Like Allison, if Adams can’t go, Graham will have to step up his game in a big way.
Since becoming a member of the Packers, Graham has followed a good performance with disappearing for long stretches. After Week 1 this year, it was three weeks before Graham had another catch. He cannot do that to the team if they want to have success this week. He needs to be heavily involved in the passing game, even if that means weakening the run game a bit.
Graham will face a difficult matchup as the Cowboys have three linebackers with outstanding speed and size to match up with the veteran tight end.
One way the Packers could help offset this is by using more two-tight end sets. Robert Tonyan is my bonus player to watch. Tonyan has the speed and size the Packers could take advantage of in a matchup like this.
The Cowboys play a Cover 2 defense, and the best way to attack that defense is in the middle of the field.
Matt LaFleur will have to get creative with the tight ends, moving them around to find favorable matchups against corners and safeties. Rodgers will have to make sure he takes advantage of them when he gets them. Most of all, Graham will have to make sure he holds on to the ball when the passes come.