Packers at Cowboys
Game Info
Kickoff: Sunday, October 6th at 4:25 pm EST
Location: AT&T Stadium, Arlington, TX
Betting Odds: DAL -3, 47 Total via Oddsshark
Network: FOX
Sleeper Spotlight: Marquez Valdez-Scantling
Green Bay Packers
Quarterback:
- Aaron Rodgers (Start / Low-end QB1)
In his first year in a Matt LaFleur offense, Aaron Rodgers is off to a slow start, currently the 16th overall fantasy quarterback and just one QB1 performance in 2019. Last week Rogers torched the Eagles, at home on a short week and this week he gets extra time to prepare for the Cowboys. However, this Cowboys defense is fourth in the league in points allowed to the position, surrendering just 13 fantasy points per game to opposing QBs. Rogers will also be visiting Dallas and without his top receiver. His schedule eases up after this tough matchup and I fully expect him to take off, just not this week where he’s a low-end starter. If you have a backup with a better matchup, then play him, otherwise, temper your expectations.
Running Backs:
- Aaron Jones (Start / Flex)
- Jamaal Williams (Sit)
Last week Jamaal Williams was carted off the field after a scary helmet to helmet hit. While we still do not know his status, proceed as if he will be out for at least one week. With Williams out Aaron Jones becomes the work horseback, a role he played well in Week 2. However, it’s the other three weeks that concern me. In those weeks Jones has averaged 2.2 yards a carry and hasn’t fared much better as a pass-catcher, with just 10 yards receiving per game. So which Jones will we see this week? Somewhere in the middle. Jones should have no trouble reaching 80 total yards, with a rushing touchdown possible. He’s a low ceiling flex this week.
Wide Receivers/ Tight Ends:
- Davante Adams (Start )
- Marquez Valdes-Scantling (Start / Flex)
- Geronimo Allison (Sit)
- Jimmy Graham (Sit)
Davante Adams is day-to-day with a toe injury that forced him out of last week’s game early. Adams was having an incredible night before leaving early and reports are he will miss Week 5. That means more work for Marquez Valdes-Scantling, Geronimo Allison and Jimmy Graham. However, this Dallas defense has been lockdown against opposing receivers, not allowing a single player to reach 100 yards and limiting the big plays with just two touchdowns. If Adams does not play, it is tough to recommend Allison or Graham this week but MVS is a sleeper pick to produce on volume alone, and outside chance of scoring a long touchdown.
Dallas Cowboys
Quarterback:
- Dak Prescott (Start / Low-end QB1)
As good as the Cowboys defense has been limiting opposing quarterback, the Packers have been better. Green Bay hasn’t allowed a QB to pass for more than 230 yards and while the Eagles did score three times in the air, the Pack has still been stingy defending the goal line. Dak Prescott has started the season on a tear and is among the lead leaders in most passing categories. However, Dak will still struggle this week as the Packers will attempt to confuse and take away his top target. Prescott should still be able to salvage a starting QB day but he won’t have an explosive afternoon.
Running Backs:
- Ezekiel Elliott (Start / RB1)
- Tony Pollard (Sit)
If the Cowboys hope to win on Sunday they will do so by feeding Ezekiel Elliott. This Packers matchup will be his easiest this season, they have been torched to open the season and that isn’t much different than the issues that plagued this defense in 2018. In the last three games, the Packers have allowed 140 yards or more on the ground and five scores. First Dalvin Cook, then Phillip Lindsay and last week it was Jordan Howard who ran all over them. Everything the Cowboys do this weekend will start with Zeke and he is in line for a huge game. Don’t expect Tony Pollard to get much work, he would need at least fifteen opportunities to return value and he just won’t see the field enough.
Wide Receivers/ Tight Ends:
- Amari Cooper (Start / Flex)
- Randall Cobb (Sit)
- Devin Smith (Sit)
- Jason Witten (Sit)
- Blake Jarwin (Sit)
Some weeks receiver Amari Cooper looks like the best receiver in the league, and others he all but disappears. Fantasy owners know that he is consistently inconsistent. This week does not look to be a bounce-back week against an ascending the Green Bay defense with an emerging corner in rookie Jaire Alexander. It will be another down week for Cooper, and while he can still be started as a flex, I wouldn’t blame you if you had a better option to roll with.
Two weeks without Michael Gallup are showing us how important he is to this offense. Fantasy owners cannot trust Randall Cobb or Devin Smith enough to play them this week, and you should be willing to take your lumps if one of them happens to score this week. Likewise, the tight end tandem of Jason Witten and Blake Jarwin has been solid but unspectacular. Outside of a deep league, where Witten can be started in hopes of a touchdown catch, these two are not receiving enough pass volume to warrant a start.
-Marc Salazar (@dingwog)
Would you start Brisset over Cousins?
Ertz a Start for the Eagles? Don’t see him either way
Sounds like a salty Falcons fan with that Patriots jab. Word of advice, it doesn’t look good on you to be putting your personal feelings into these columns. It just makes you come off as a homer.
Yeah that hit on Allen wasnt dirty at all. Allens momentum was going foward and could have picked up the first down without the second hit. Also he isnt defenseless if he takes off and runs. Rbs get hit like that all the time.