The Dallas Cowboys will host the Green Bay Packers on Sunday in the biggest game of the NFL weekend, a rematch of last season's thrilling playoff showdown. Dallas is looking to get a little bit of revenge for that loss, but for that to happen, they're going to need to accomplish a few things in the gameplan. Here are four things they need to do in order to beat the Packers:
1) Establish the run game
It's no secret that Dallas' offense is predicated on the run game. Not only do they have one of the best offensive lines in the league and an elite rusher in Ezekiel Elliott, but being able to establish that rushing threat opens up the play-action pass, which is such a huge part of what Dallas wants to do. Keeping Elliott invested while keeping the Green Bay defense guessing will be how Dallas wins this game.
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2) Pressure Aaron Rodgers with four-man pass rush
Green Bay is already one of the worst rushing teams in the league, and with starting running back Ty Montgomery coming off a rib injury, their ground game is going to be even more limited. That means Green Bay will be focusing more on normal on the passing game, and in turn, the Cowboys will be using a lot of nickel and dime defenses.
Putting more people in coverage is smart, but if Aaron Rodgers has time, he will still pick your defense apart. Being able to drop seven in coverage and still getting pressure on Rodgers will be the biggest key to Dallas' defensive effort.
3) Keep the crowd involved
Dallas has one of the best home-field advantages in the entire league, but in order to keep that advantage for all four quarters, they need to keep the crowd involved. That can be done by taking an early lead and making big plays. Stick with the gameplan and score on your first or second drive, and secondly, don't be scared to take shots down the field to Dez Bryant. Not only will the crowd be louder and more invested, but the players will receive an energy boost from that as well.
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4) Don't stray from the gameplan
That said, if the Cowboys get behind the Packers early, it's extremely important not to stray from the gameplan. We saw them do that against the Broncos when they completely abandoned the run game as soon as they got down, and they got demolished. It's important that Jason Garrett learns from that mistake and doesn't let it happen again. Stay the course.
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