The rookie duo of Dak Prescott and Ezekiel Elliott has brought back memories of Troy Aikman and Emmitt Smith, the pair that helped transform the Dallas Cowboys into the team of the 90s. It’ll be several years before we can make the comparison, but right now Dallas fans are pretty happy with the results. It wasn’t supposed to be this easy for Prescott and his play has many asking, Tony who? The Boys look to continue their winning ways with a visit to the Green Bay Packers in Week 6.
Kickoff for this regular season Week 6 game is set for Sunday, October 16, 2016, at 4:25 p.m. ET at Lambeau Field.
NFL Odds at BookMaker.eu
Dallas Cowboys +4
Green Bay Packers -4
Over/Under 46.5
Odds Analysis
The opening line took a big hit immediately after hitting the board. Green Bay opened at -7 and the early money poured in on the visitors, forcing a sharp drop to -4. A convincing win over AFC power Cincinnati has given Cowboys supporters plenty of confidence and the opening line was way too high. Dallas is still getting 60 percent of the bets and it wouldn’t surprise me to see the line fall even more.
Injury Report
Dez Bryant – Has missed the last two games with a knee injury and isn’t expected to return against the Packers. Bryant will be missed in the aerial attack, especially against a Green Bay defense that is stellar against the run. Brice Butler and Cole Beasley have done a nice job filling in, but if the Cowboys need the passing game, it could be in trouble without their big target.
Eddie Lacy – Green Bay’s No. 1 running back left Sunday night’s game after having his ankle sat on and his availability for the Cowboys is unknown. His loss would be huge for a running game that is non-existent without him. Backup James Starks has just 42 yards in 24 carries for a meager 1.8 yards per carry average.
Matchup to Watch
The NFL’s leading rusher will get tested against the league’s best run defense when these teams hook up. After a slow start to the year, Ezekiel Elliott has turned it on over the last three games. He became the first Dallas rookie to eclipse 100 yards in three straight games and just the third rookie in NFL history to have at least 130 rushing yards in three straight. He totaled 134 yards on just 15 attempts with a scintillating 60-yard scoring run Sunday against the Bengals. That came a week after a 138-yard, 23-carry effort. The streak started with a 140-yard night against the Bears on Monday Night Football.
Green Bay has yet to face a running back like Elliott, but the Packers have been able to silence the ones they have faced. The Pack has allowed a total of 171 yards on the ground. That’s right, one hundred and seventy-one yards, to easily lead the league with an average of 42.8 per game and slightly less than two yards per carry. If the Packers are able to contain Elliott that will force Dak Prescott to generate offense through the air and anything can happen in that scenario.
Free ATS Pick
For so many years the Packers relied on Aaron Rodgers and their explosive offense to win games. The group has slacked off a bit and for a change it’s the defense that has propped the team up. Green Bay has always been solid on D but the group has been overshadowed by Rodgers’ exploits. Not this year. It’s been hit or miss for the Pack on offense this season. The group remains solid with Jordy Nelson up to his old tricks and the offensive line manhandled the Giants on Sunday night. But Rodgers is a mere mortal. He threw two picks in a game for the first time in more than a year and the Pack stalled in the second half.
For a team that can be unstoppable on certain drives then look like they’ve never played together on the next is puzzling, especially considering how long the group has been together. If the Pack doesn’t figure it out, kicking field goals instead of hitting paydirt won’t cut it against the Cowboys. If Lacy doesn’t play or is hobbled by his injury, the game will be much closer. But I expect the Packers to play with a greater sense of urgency, especially on offense. Dallas’ defense is still the weak link and although they had a good day against Cincinnati, the Pack will do enough for a cover win.
NFL Odds: Packers 26, Cowboys 20
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