Dallas Cowboys vs Green Bay Packers Picks and Predictions for Sunday October 18 2026
The Dallas Cowboys head to Green Bay on Sunday, October 18, 2026, to face the Packers at Lambeau Field. Kickoff is set for 8:20 PM ET on NBC. Dallas is coming off an embarrassing 24-16 loss to Tampa Bay, while Green Bay just beat Chicago 31-7. The Packers are favored by 1.5 points, with the total sitting at 52.5. The early forecast has temperatures around 56 degrees, winds near 18 mph and little chance of rain. That’s a little breezy for throwing the football around Lambeau. I’m leaning toward Green Bay here. Dallas has been scoring points, but that defense? Good grief. The Cowboys just got pushed around by a Tampa Bay team that hadn’t won a game. Now they get Jordan Love coming off his best performance of the year. I don’t think that’s a matchup Dallas fans are going to enjoy. Make sure you check out all of our free NFL picks.
Dallas Cowboys Have A Defense Nobody Trusts
Dallas is sitting at 2-3 overall and 1-2 on the road. The Cowboys had a chance to get above .500 last Thursday against Tampa Bay. They were playing a winless team at home and had extra reasons to feel confident. Then the Buccaneers ran for 241 yards and beat them 24-16. That’s a bad loss. Dallas turned the ball over three times, couldn’t stop the run and let a rookie quarterback control the game. The Cowboys had beaten Houston 34-30 the previous Sunday, but that wasn’t exactly a great defensive performance either. They also lost 34-31 to Baltimore earlier in the season. Brian Schottenheimer has to be tired of watching his defense get knocked around. The offense has been good enough to win more games. The defense keeps finding ways to ruin it.
The Cowboys are averaging 27.6 points per game while giving up 27.2. That tells you quite a bit about this team. Dallas can score, but opponents haven’t had much trouble scoring either. The Cowboys have gained 1,756 total offensive yards through five games, with 1,381 coming through the air. They’ve rushed for 408 yards, and that’s not much when you’re trying to control a football game. The defense has been even more frustrating. Dallas ranks near the bottom of the league in yards allowed, and Tampa Bay just held the ball for more than 39 minutes. Thirty-nine minutes! You can’t expect Prescott to win games when he’s spending that much time watching from the sideline. The Cowboys have some talented defensive players, but they’ve been missing tackles and giving up far too many easy yards. Green Bay doesn’t have the greatest running game in football, but I wouldn’t be surprised if the Packers test Dallas on the ground early.
Dak Prescott has thrown for 1,381 yards with nine touchdowns and three interceptions. He’s been putting up good numbers, but the Tampa Bay game wasn’t his best. Prescott threw for 316 yards and a touchdown, although he also had two interceptions. One came late when Dallas had a chance to tie the game. CeeDee Lamb leads the receivers with 39 catches for 507 yards and four touchdowns. He’s been dealing with a thigh issue, so his status is worth watching. George Pickens had a big game against Tampa Bay, catching nine passes for 130 yards and a touchdown. Javonte Williams leads the rushing attack with 276 yards and six touchdowns, although he’s averaging only 3.7 yards per carry. Dallas has injury problems on defense, too. DeMarvion Overshown has been dealing with a hamstring problem, while Malik Hooker has a forearm issue. Cornerback Cobie Durant has also been sidelined. That’s a lot of trouble in a secondary about to face Love and Christian Watson. Prescott can make plays, but he can’t tackle anybody for the defense.
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Green Bay Packers Are Looking Better After Bears Win
Green Bay is 3-2 overall and 1-1 at home. The Packers needed a good performance last Sunday, and they certainly got one. They beat Chicago 31-7, forcing five turnovers and making the Bears look completely lost. Love threw for 367 yards and two touchdowns. Christian Watson had 143 receiving yards and caught both scoring passes. That’s a nice afternoon. Green Bay had been having an uneven start to the season, losing to Minnesota and Atlanta while picking up wins over the Jets and Buccaneers. The Bears game was different. The Packers looked comfortable, made big plays and didn’t give Chicago much of a chance after halftime. Matt LaFleur had to enjoy watching that one. Now Dallas comes to town with a defense that’s been giving up plenty of points. I’m thinking Love might have another good Sunday night.
The Packers are averaging 20.8 points per game while allowing 22.4. Those numbers aren’t overwhelming, but Green Bay has been better defensively than Dallas. The Packers have gained 1,657 total offensive yards, with 1,408 coming through the air. The running game has been pretty quiet, producing only 302 yards through five games. That’s just over 60 yards per contest. Not good. Green Bay has relied heavily on Love, and he hasn’t always gotten enough help from the backs. The defense has 14 sacks and seven interceptions. That’s where I like the Packers in this matchup. Dallas has a good passing offense, but Prescott just threw two interceptions against Tampa Bay. Green Bay picked off Chicago quarterbacks three times last weekend and forced five turnovers overall. The Packers have shown they can get pressure and take the ball away. Dallas hasn’t been doing a very good job protecting it lately.
Love has thrown for 1,408 yards with 10 touchdowns and three interceptions. He looked sharp against Chicago, putting up 367 yards and two scores without an interception. Watson has been his favorite big-play target, catching 26 passes for 474 yards and six touchdowns this season. Six touchdowns in five games. Dallas better know where he is. Watson just had 143 yards against Chicago and caught a 53-yard touchdown in the second half. MarShawn Lloyd leads the listed rushing matchup with 112 yards and two touchdowns, although he’s averaging just 2.8 yards per carry. Green Bay could use more from that running game. On defense, Xavier McKinney picked off two passes against the Bears, giving the Packers another reason to feel good about their secondary. There are injuries, though. Micah Parsons still hasn’t been cleared to return from his torn ACL, so he won’t get the chance to face his former team Sunday. Edgerrin Cooper and Javon Hargrave are also out with serious injuries. Aaron Banks has been dealing with a toe problem, while Jayden Reed has a neck injury. Green Bay isn’t completely healthy, but Love has enough weapons to make Dallas work all night.
Dallas Cowboys vs Green Bay Packers Picks and Predictions
Against the Spread Pick: Green Bay Packers -1.5
I’m taking Green Bay laying 1.5 points. Dallas has a good offense, and Prescott can throw for 300 yards against just about anybody. Lamb and Pickens are dangerous receivers, so I’m not expecting the Packers to shut them down completely. But have you watched Dallas play defense? Tampa Bay just ran for 241 yards against the Cowboys. Green Bay’s running game hasn’t been very good, but the Packers don’t need to rush for 200 yards to win this. Love threw for 367 against Chicago, Watson has six touchdown catches, and Dallas has been giving up 27.2 points per game. I think Green Bay gets its chances through the air. The Cowboys could absolutely make this a close game if Prescott stays away from turnovers. That’s the part that worries me. Green Bay is also missing Parsons, which takes away a big piece of the pass rush. But the Packers have 14 sacks and seven interceptions without him. Dallas just turned it over three times against Tampa Bay. I’m not trusting that defense at Lambeau. Give me Green Bay -1.5.
Total Pick: Under 52.5 Points
I’ll take Under 52.5 points. I know Dallas is averaging 27.6 points, and the Cowboys defense has been giving up almost as many. That’s why this total is sitting in the 50s. But Green Bay hasn’t been a great scoring team all season, averaging 20.8 points. The Packers scored 31 against Chicago, although five turnovers certainly helped. I’m not counting on Dallas handing them five more. Green Bay’s running game has also been struggling, which could make it harder to put together long scoring drives. Dallas has enough passing talent to make this uncomfortable. Prescott could throw for 300 yards, and Lamb or Pickens might break a big one. I get that. But Green Bay’s defense has been pretty good against the pass, and that 18 mph wind could make throwing deep a little tougher if the forecast holds. The Cowboys also haven’t been running the ball consistently. I think both quarterbacks will make some plays, but I don’t see this turning into a 35-31 shootout. Something around 27-21 in favor of Green Bay makes sense to me. I’ll take Under 52.5 points.
Final Picks: Green Bay Packers -1.5 and Under 52.5 Points.
Disclaimer: This preview was prepared October 14, 2026. Betting lines, injuries, and weather forecasts may change before kickoff. Check the latest information before placing a wager.
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