The Dallas Cowboys enter Week 4 with a disappointing 1-2 record and plenty of questions to answer.
The defense has been shredded, the offense has been inconsistent, and HC Brian Schottenheimer’s seat is starting to warm up earlier than expected.
But no storyline looms larger than Micah Parsons’ return to AT&T Stadium.
After being traded to the Green Bay Packers this offseason in one of the most stunning moves in franchise history, Parsons will face his former team for the first time.
With emotions running high and both teams dealing with injuries, Sunday’s clash promises plenty of drama.
Here are three bold predictions for how this matchup could play out.
Remember, my bold predictions may be far-fetched, but they are in the realm of possibility.
Dak Prescott has been solid to start the season, sitting in the middle of the pack in most statistical quarterback categories, but near the top in efficiency.
Against the Packers, however, he’ll need to elevate his game to keep the Cowboys in striking distance.
What makes this prediction bold is that Green Bay currently ranks third in the NFL in fewest passing yards allowed, suffocating opposing quarterbacks with disciplined coverage and a pass rush that forces hurried throws.
But Dallas may have no choice but to lean on Prescott’s arm.
With injuries piling up along the offensive line and a defense that can’t stop a nosebleed, the quickest path to success may be to target a wide receiver corps missing CeeDee Lamb early and often.
Prescott has a history of responding well in big spots, and his second 350-yard performance of the season against one of the league’s toughest secondaries would be the kind of statement this offense desperately needs.
If the Cowboys are going to turn their season around, the defense must find a spark.
Through three weeks, they’ve been pushed around up front and shredded on the back end, a far cry from the unit that once relied on Parsons to wreck game plans.
This week, the bold call is that Jordan Love gets sacked five times, despite little evidence to suggest Dallas can pull it off.
The path to making it happen might lie in a schematic adjustment.
Instead of sitting back in soft zone coverage, the Cowboys could gamble by playing man coverage behind extra blitzers, forcing Love to make quick decisions under duress.
Love has shown poise in the pocket, but Green Bay’s offensive line is banged up, and if the Cowboys commit to attacking, they could finally generate the pressure that’s been missing since Parsons’ departure.
On paper, the Packers look like the superior team. They’ve started faster, they’ve been steadier, and they just barely lost a tough game in Cleveland.
Meanwhile, the Cowboys’ season has been marred by inconsistency and injuries to key players.
Still, it’s any given Sunday in the NFL, and Dallas has enough talent to pull off an upset.
The Packers are also dealing with injuries, and Parsons’ emotional return could actually add pressure on Green Bay’s side of the ball.
If Prescott plays efficiently, the defense can manufacture timely stops, and home-field energy swings momentum, the Cowboys could shock the league by evening their record at 2-2.
The Cowboys are at a crossroads, and facing Parsons in a different uniform only adds to the stakes.
Winning this game won’t erase the struggles of September, but it could ignite a turnaround.
While these predictions are bold, they’re not impossible, and if even only the last one comes true, Dallas will be right back in the thick of the NFC race.
More must-reads:
Get the latest news and rumors, customized to your favorite sports and teams. Emailed daily. Always free!