Packers' must-win matchup to beat Cowboys revealed 7 Sep 21, 2025; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Green Bay Packers wide receiver Matthew Golden (0) runs the ball as Cleveland Browns defensive end Isaiah McGuire (57) tackles him during the fourth quarter at Huntington Bank Field. Mandatory Credit: Scott Galvin-Imagn Images

Packers’ must-win matchup to beat Cowboys revealed

Originally posted on WI Sports Heroics | By Matt Lombardo | Last updated Sep 26, 2025 2:07 PM ET

Micah Parsons is going to command all kinds of attention in Sunday night’s Packers clash against the Cowboys, in Dallas.

After all, this is Parsons’ first chance to get some revenge on owner Jerry Jones and the Cowboys following contentious long-term contract negotiations that resulted in August’s blockbuster trade that sent the All-Pro to Green Bay.

And, while Parsons’ return will be the marquee on AT&T Stadium and all of the Sunday Night Football promotions leading into Week 4, it might be another Packers star who holds the key to Green Bay flying home with a win.

Matthew Golden pivotal to Packers’ chances of beating the Cowboys

Packers first-round rookie receiver flashed some of his big-play ability in last Sunday’s loss to the Cleveland Browns, and could figure to be an even bigger piece of the puzzle against the Cowboys.

Over at Pro Football Focus, NFL Analyst Mason Cameron argues that with Jayden Reed out for the foreseeable future, this is Golden’s time to shine.

“The unfortunate injury to Jayden Reed opened up more targets for Matthew Golden this past week,” Cameron writes for PFF. “The first-round rookie hauled in all four of his targets, including a 33-yard strike that could have potentially gone for a 96-yard touchdown had Golden’s momentum not taken him out of bounds.

“Golden could be in for a big day against a Cowboys secondary that was gashed by the Bears. However, Dallas has been without one of its most talented corners, DaRon Bland, who may potentially return this week. If healthy, Bland would be a welcome boost to the unit, having posted a 70.4 PFF coverage grade in his lone outing this season in Week 1.”

Bland was a turnover machine for the Cowboys two seasons ago, and if he is back and fully healthy, would be an early-career test for Golden.

As the Packers look to become more balanced and explosive in the passing game, a showdown against the Cowboys’ porous secondary could prove to be a big opportunity for Golden to flash.

Packers’ stumble against Browns exposes complacency, offensive struggles 3 Sep 21, 2025; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Green Bay Packers wide receiver Matthew Golden (0) catches the ball during warm ups before the game against the Cleveland Browns at Huntington Bank Field. Mandatory Credit: Scott Galvin-Imagn Images

This article first appeared on WI Sports Heroics and was syndicated with permission.

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