For a few hours on Sunday, all the frustration had somewhere to go. It poured out of the Lambeau stands while the Packers poured it on the Bears. I was there, and damn, that felt good.
Watching Green Bay finish off Chicago in a 31-7 win was everything I hoped the trip would be. But the moment I keep coming back to happened with the game still very much up for grabs.
J. Michael Sturdivant had a touchdown taken away by an offensive pass interference call. One play later, Jordan Love sent the ball deep again, and Christian Watson brought down a 53-yard touchdown on third-and-22.
The flag moved the Packers backward. Their response moved the whole building.
There was anger in that play. There was trust between the coach, quarterback, and receiver. The team refused to let a bad break decide how its possession would end.
That is what needs to show up against Dallas on Sunday night.
The Bears game gave us something to feel good about. This week will tell us whether the Packers can build on it.
LaFleur and Love need to keep the Packers attacking
Matt LaFleur later described the Watson touchdown as a “rage call.” I loved the response. Now I want to see that same conviction without needing a flag to bring it out.
LaFleur has to enter Sunday night believing his offense can put pressure on Dallas from the opening possession. Give Love opportunities to establish a rhythm, move the pocket when it helps, and make the Cowboys account for the entire field.
There should be chances to hurt this defense. Dallas has allowed 37 explosive plays through five games, tied for the fourth-most in the league.
It should also put responsibility on Love to recognize which opportunities are actually there. Keep his feet settled, trust the protection, and work through the play. If Dallas leaves a receiver underneath to protect against Watson’s speed, take the completion and make it defend another snap.
The Packers cannot spend Sunday night chasing the feeling of one spectacular touchdown. They need to recreate the confidence behind it across entire possessions.
That means avoiding the hurried throw on second down that creates third-and-long. It means getting lined up correctly, keeping penalties out of the drive, and making Dallas earn a stop.
Love can take over this game. LaFleur needs to keep giving him chances to do it.
Watson and Golden can make Dallas pay
Watson needs to remain a central part of the plan. His speed changes the decisions a defense has to make. Safeties have to respect him, corners have to protect against him, and one mistake can turn into six points.
But Matthew Golden is just as important to how the Packers attack this week. Against Chicago, Watson finished with 143 receiving yards and Golden added 123. Both gave Love opportunities to make plays downfield.
If Dallas commits extra attention to Watson, Golden needs to punish it. If the Cowboys try to keep both receivers in front of them, Tucker Kraft needs to become the answer underneath and through the middle.
That is where LaFleur can keep this offense moving. Make Dallas choose where its help goes, then attack what that choice leaves available.
Kraft can be especially valuable when the game needs to settle down. A physical catch over the middle, a broken tackle or a third-down conversion can keep a possession alive long enough for the next opportunity to develop.
The offensive line has to make it all possible. The deep routes need time, and Love needs room to step into his throws. Winning up front will determine how much of the playbook LaFleur can actually use.
I want the fireworks again. I also want the Packers to do the work that allows them to happen.
Wyatt and McKinney have to lead the Packers’ response on defense
Dallas presents a much different challenge than the one Green Bay handled last week.
Dak Prescott has CeeDee Lamb, George Pickens and Jake Ferguson to work with. He has also been sacked only six times through five games. The Packers will have to earn their opportunities to disrupt him.
With Javon Hargrave suffering an Achilles injury against Chicago, more responsibility falls on the remaining defensive front. Wyatt had two sacks against the Bears, and Green Bay needs him to keep creating problems inside.
Pressure through the middle can keep Prescott from stepping into throws comfortably. Even when Wyatt cannot finish the play himself, forcing the quarterback to move can give somebody else a chance.
On the back end, Xavier McKinney and Evan Williams need to keep the defense organized and make Prescott work to identify the coverage.
My concern is what happens if the Packers give him an easy picture before the snap and clean space afterward. With those receivers, Dallas can make a defense regret that quickly.
McKinney’s instincts matter here. So does Williams’ discipline. Green Bay needs both safeties to communicate, disguise their intentions, and arrive under control when the ball comes out.
The Packers cannot build their plan around getting another five takeaways. They can demand the same effort that produced them: finish the tackle, pursue the ball, and stay involved after the first defender arrives. Make Dallas earn its way down the field.
Get the lead, then lock the cage
This is where last week’s mentality has to carry over.
LaFleur’s “lock the cage” message needs to become something the Packers do when they have an opponent in trouble.
A second-half possession with a lead should still have purpose. Run the ball with the intention of gaining yards. Throw with the intention of moving the chains. If the Cowboys leave an opportunity downfield, make them answer for it.
Prescott and those receivers are too dangerous to keep handing them chances while hoping the clock runs out.
The Packers have to finish drives, and when they create a short field, they need to turn it into points. Every empty possession that leaves Dallas within reach gives its offense another reason to believe.
That is why the urgency has to last longer than the opening script or the first burst of crowd noise.
Play like there is no tomorrow. Make the block, finish the route, and fight for the first down while you still have time to control how the night ends.
Being at Lambeau for the Bears game was incredible. I left with a memory I will keep for a long time and a feeling I want this team to chase again.
The Packers gave that building its roar back. Sunday night, they need to give it another reason to roar. And if they get Dallas in the cage, lock the damn thing.
