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Packers: Three bold predictions vs. Cowboys in Week 5

By Freddie Boston

GREEN BAY, WISCONSIN - SEPTEMBER 26: Jimmy Graham #80 of the Green Bay Packers avoids a tackle by Kamu Grugier-Hill #54 of the Philadelphia Eagles during the third quarter at Lambeau Field on September 26, 2019 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)
GREEN BAY, WISCONSIN - SEPTEMBER 26: Jimmy Graham #80 of the Green Bay Packers avoids a tackle by Kamu Grugier-Hill #54 of the Philadelphia Eagles during the third quarter at Lambeau Field on September 26, 2019 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images) /
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NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – SEPTEMBER 29: Ezekiel Elliott #21 of the Dallas Cowboys warms up prior to the start of a NFL game against the New Orleans Saints at the Mercedes Benz Superdome on September 29, 2019 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images)
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – SEPTEMBER 29: Ezekiel Elliott #21 of the Dallas Cowboys warms up prior to the start of a NFL game against the New Orleans Saints at the Mercedes Benz Superdome on September 29, 2019 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images) /

2. Packers hold Ezekiel Elliott to under 100 rushing yards

The Packers have the seventh-worst run defense in the NFL after four weeks. So predicting they’ll hold Ezekiel Elliott — a two-time All-Pro who has 4,372 rushing yards and 31 touchdowns in 44 career games — might seem unrealistic.

But here’s the reality. The Packers should be much better against the run. And I think we’ll see that in Week 5. Getting Montravius Adams back would be a huge boost; he’s been limited at practice so far this week. And the Cowboys losing All-Pro left tackle Tyron Smith will also make running the ball more difficult for their offense.

The Saints showed how it’s possible to shut down the Cowboys’ run game. Last week, they limited Elliott to just 35 yards on 18 attempts, averaging 1.9 yards per carry. They also limited star receiver Amari Cooper to only 48 yards on five catches. The Packers have the cornerback to matchup with Cooper in Jaire Alexander, and that should allow them to focus on stopping the run.

Another way is to build an early lead, forcing Dak Prescott to throw more often. Scoring quickly and playing at a quick pace should be the goal for the Packers this week.

Easier said than done, of course. But I think the Packers will be surprisingly good in run defense in Week 5.

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