
Lamb and Pickens give Prescott a counter to Love in Cowboys-Packers matchup
Dallas visits Lambeau Field at 8:20 p.m. Eastern on NBC, with changes to its defensive coaching positions and questions in both secondaries.
By Rant Sports NFL Desk / 1 source / Published October 18, 2026 / Updated October 18, 2026
CeeDee Lamb and George Pickens give Dallas a way to answer Jordan Love's downfield passing on Sunday night. The Cowboys' receivers entered the week with 66 catches, 857 yards and five touchdowns between them, and Green Bay's safeties have spent the week discussing how to disguise the one-on-one chances Dak Prescott likes to attack.
Dallas visits Lambeau Field at 8:20 p.m. Eastern on NBC. The Cowboys are 2-3 after scoring 16 points in a home loss to Tampa Bay; the Packers are 3-2. Their previous meeting ended in a 40-40 overtime tie.
ESPN's Sunday NFL Countdown opens with the challenge Love's deep passing poses to the Cowboys:
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NFL on ESPN: Cowboys-Packers Sunday Night Football preview
Read source ↗ Dallas changes the view from the sideline
Christian Parker will call the Cowboys' defense from the sideline, while newly hired senior defensive assistant Mike Pettine works from the coaches' booth. Brian Schottenheimer told 105.3 The Fan on Friday that Pettine reports directly to him and has been studying film as he catches up with the defense.
Dallas will be without DeMarvion Overshown, Cobie Durant and Drew Shelton, as expected. Joey Porter Jr. and Ameer Speed are not on the final inactive list after carrying questionable designations during the week.
Green Bay has to defend its own secondary
Lamb and Pickens are the reason Dallas can threaten a defense even after a poor outing. Prescott was sacked only six times in the first five games. The Cowboys scored 102 points in the three games before their loss to the Buccaneers.
Packers safeties Xavier McKinney and Evan Williams discussed keeping their coverage disguises in place against Prescott in Green Bay's official preview. The aim is to prevent him from spotting an isolated receiver before the snap and immediately taking that matchup.
Green Bay cornerback Brandon Cisse is active after being questionable with a hip injury. Benjamin St-Juste remains out, and guard Aaron Banks is also inactive. Defensive tackle Anthony Campbell returns after missing three games with an ankle injury.
Dallas must also account for Love, Christian Watson and Matthew Golden: Love has six touchdowns and no interceptions in his two meetings with the Cowboys, including the playoffs.
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