The Dallas Cowboys look to bounce back after a demoralizing loss to the Chicago Bears in Week 3. Their Week 4 opponent, the Green Bay Packers, have a talented team on both sides of the ball, especially on offense. Let’s take a look at the offensive side for both teams and find a couple of players to watch.
TJ Bass, OG, Dallas
Like Brock Hoffman going into Week 2, let’s start with the guy replacing an injured starter along the offensive line. Luckily, like Hoffman, Bass is not completely new to starting, as he started twice in 2023 and thrice in 2024.
He’ll have a tall task on Sunday though. We all know about Micah Parsons, but the Packers have two strong interior pass rushers on their roster in Devonte Wyatt (77.8 PFF pass rushing grade) and Colby Wooden (73.0).
If the Cowboys are to win, they’ll have to do a better job of protecting Dak Prescott than they have so far this season. Bass and his ability to stymie Wyatt and Wooden will play a large part in that.
Jalen Tolbert, WR, Dallas
Somehow, some way, Tolbert has finagled his way into a prominent role. With CeeDee Lamb out for at least a few games, Tolbert will likely be the No. 2 receiver in the immediate future.
He’s admittedly progressed in his career, starting with a 48.7 PFF grade as rookie in 2022 to a 60.7 mark last season. That progress will have to continue against a stout Green Bay secondary.
The Packers employ Keisean Nixon and his 78.4 PFF grade (sixth at his position), as well as Carrington Valentine and his own 77.4 PFF grade (11th) at cornerback. For good measure, Evan Williams (71.3, 18th) is roaming deep at safety.
Dallas was going to have a hard enough time with Lamb on the field against Green Bay. Now without him, Tolbert will have to step up against what is arguable the best corner duo in football so far this season.
Matthew Golden, WR, Green Bay
The Packers first round pick from this last draft, Golden has started slowly by recording only six catches for 68 yards in three games. However, there’s reason to believe his breakout is nigh.
After an underwhelming Week 1, Golden just barely missed two long touchdowns in Week 2 after using his 4.29 speed to get wide open. Jordan Love just couldn’t quite connect with him.
Green Bay made a concerted effort to get him involved in Week 3, matching the four targets he received in the first two weeks combined. His four catches for 52 yards included a 34-yarder that should’ve been a 96-yard touchdown had he not inexplicably stepped out of bounds.
Against a Cowboys secondary that has been dissected by both pundits and opposing quarterbacks, it’s entirely possible, if not likely, that Golden has the breakout he’s been so close to reaching. If he does, it’s likely going to be a long day for Dallas.
Jordan Morgan, OL, Green Bay
Another recent first round pick, Morgan went from efficient as an injury fill-in during Week 1 while recording a 73.5 offensive grade to a borderline unplayable starter in Weeks 2 (41.0) and 3 (40.7). Additionally, he was the offensive lineman that got blown away by Cleveland’s defense on the Packers blocked field goal in Week 3.
Like Green Bay, the Cowboys actually have two effective interior pass rushers in Osa Odighizuwa and Kenny Clark. Their respective pass rush grades of 68.9 and 70.9 are not elite, but should be more than enough to overwhelm a struggling player in Morgan.
If they can do so and make Jordan Love uncomfortable, the quarterback might not even have the chance to target Golden at all, and Dallas might have an outside shot at the upset.