The Dallas Cowboys and Green Bay Packers renew one of the NFL’s most compelling rivalries on Sunday night, October 18, 2026, in a matchup that promises physical football, high-profile playmakers, and plenty of pressure on both sides. With the national spotlight shining on them, the Cowboys and Packers will have an opportunity to make a statement against a familiar opponent whose postseason history adds another layer of intrigue.
With a limited player pool and every snap carrying extra weight, the key will be identifying which players offer the best combination of volume, touchdown equity, matchup upside, and salary-based value. In this breakdown, we’ll dig into the top captain options, mid-range plays, salary-saving values, and potential fades, while also examining the different game-script scenarios that could make or break your showdown lineups.
Cowboys vs. Packers DFS Picks & Preview: Sunday Night Football, 10/18
The Cowboys’ best path to an upset starts with quarterback Dak Prescott and a passing attack capable of putting points on the board in a hurry. Prescott has thrown for 1,381 yards and nine touchdowns through five games, while CeeDee Lamb leads Dallas with 507 receiving yards and four touchdown catches. George Pickens gives the Cowboys another dangerous downfield option, creating opportunities to attack multiple areas of the field. If Dallas can protect Prescott and keep Green Bay’s pass rush from disrupting the timing of its offense, the visitors have the firepower to make this a shootout.
For Green Bay, Quarterback Jordan Love is coming off an impressive performance against Chicago, throwing for 367 yards and two touchdowns in Green Bay’s 31-7 victory. His connection with wide receivers Christian Watson and Matthew Golden gives the Packers a pair of big-play threats, and both could create problems for a Dallas secondary that has struggled to contain opposing offenses. If Love can deliver accurately downfield, Green Bay could force the Cowboys to play from behind and abandon some of their preferred offensive balance.
One of the most intriguing subplots is the continued connection between the two teams through Micah Parsons. The star pass rusher was traded from Dallas to Green Bay before the 2025 season, adding another layer to an already intense rivalry. However, Parsons is not expected to play Sunday as he continues to recover from a torn ACL. His absence is significant for Green Bay, which will have to generate pressure through other players rather than rely on one of the league’s most disruptive defenders.
Cowboys vs. Packers SNF Odds
- Spread:
- Cowboys +1.5 (-118)
- Packers -1.5 (-102)
- Money Line:
- Cowboys (-105)
- Packers (-115)
- Game Total:
- Over 53.5 (-112)
- Under 53.5 (-108)
NFL Weather: Cowboys vs. Packers, October 18th
Weather in Green Bay is expected to feature clear, chilly conditions with temperatures around 55 degrees at kickoff, dropping into the low 50s as the game progresses. Winds are forecast from the southwest at approximately 10 mph, with gusts potentially reaching 20-25 mph, while the chance of precipitation is near zero.
Cowboys vs. Packers Injuries: Sunday Night Football Week 6
Dallas ruled out cornerback Cobie Durant (hamstring) and offensive tackle Drew Shelton (hamstring). Linebacker DeMarvion Overshown (hamstring), defensive tackle L.T. Overton (foot), cornerback Joey Porter (ankle), and cornerback Ameer Speed (knee) were listed as questionable.
Green Bay ruled out defensive tackle Javon Hargrave (Achilles), defensive tackle Jonathan Ford (calf), wide receiver Skyy Moore (ankle), and cornerback Benjamin St-Juste (hamstring). Defensive lineman Jordon Riley (Achilles) is listed as doubtful. Guard Aaron Banks (knee/toe), center/guard Jacob Monk (quadriceps), defensive tackle Anthony Campbell (ankle), cornerback Brandon Cisse (hip), and wide receiver Savion Williams (ankle) are listed as questionable.
NFL Sunday Night Football DFS Picks: MVP/Captain
Jordan Love, QB, Green Bay Packers - DraftKings: $9,400 | FanDuel: $11,000
Love is coming off an impressive Week 5 outing against the Chicago Bears, when he threw for 367 yards and two touchdowns while completing 25 of 31 passes. Through five games, he has accumulated 1,408 passing yards and 10 touchdowns, establishing himself as a reliable fantasy starter. His accuracy and ability to push the ball downfield give him an especially appealing ceiling against a Cowboys defense that has struggled to contain explosive passing plays.
If the Cowboys' offense keeps the game competitive, Love could benefit from an increased passing volume, improving his chances of reaching 300 yards and three touchdowns and being the optimal option for the top lineup spot.
Christian Watson, WR, Green Bay Packers - DraftKings: $9,000 | FanDuel: $10,600
After an explosive Week 5 performance against Chicago, Watson has emerged as one of Love’s most dangerous downfield targets. He caught six of eight targets for 143 yards and two touchdowns, bringing his season totals to 26 receptions, 473 receiving yards and six touchdowns through five games. His ability to turn a single reception into a long touchdown gives him an especially appealing ceiling in this matchup.
The matchup against Dallas is particularly encouraging because the Cowboys have struggled to defend the pass, allowing 10 passing touchdowns without recording an interception through their first five games. Watson’s speed and ability to stretch the field could create opportunities for explosive plays, especially if Love has enough time to attack downfield. With Green Bay potentially needing to throw consistently to keep pace with Dallas, Watson should have opportunities to produce meaningful fantasy numbers.
CeeDee Lamb, WR, Dallas Cowboys – DraftKings: $10,800 | FanDuel: $12,400
Lamb caught just two passes for nine yards last week after aggravating a quad injury, but he has since practiced in full and is not expected to have limitations for Sunday Night Football. His health is encouraging news, especially considering his importance to Dallas’ passing attack.
Before the Week 5 setback, Lamb was putting together an excellent season. He recorded 17 receptions for 189 yards and a touchdown against Houston in Week 4, demonstrating the kind of elite target volume and receiving ability that makes him a weekly fantasy difference-maker. Through his first five games, he has 39 receptions for 507 yards and four touchdowns. With Prescott likely to rely on his top receiver in a crucial road matchup, Lamb has a strong opportunity to bounce back.
Matthew Golden, WR, Green Bay Packers – DraftKings: $8,000 | FanDuel: $8,800
Golden has emerged as a reliable part of Green Bay's passing attack, coming off a breakout Week 5 performance against Chicago in which he caught six passes for 123 yards. Through five games, Golden has recorded 24 receptions for 397 yards and two touchdowns, establishing himself as a legitimate weapon.
Golden’s growing target share is another reason for optimism. He has received at least seven targets in three consecutive games, giving him a more dependable workload than a typical boom-or-bust deep threat. He can generate fantasy value through both intermediate receptions and long gains, while his involvement near the red zone gives him a realistic chance to score.
NFL Sunday Night Football DFS Picks: Core Plays
Dak Prescott, QB, Dallas Cowboys – DraftKings: $10,400 | FanDuel: $11,600
Prescott has thrown for 1,381 yards and nine touchdowns through five games, establishing himself as a productive passer even as Dallas has struggled to find consistency. However, he is coming off a frustrating Week 5 performance against Tampa Bay, throwing for 316 yards and one touchdown with two interceptions in the loss. His passing volume remains encouraging, but the turnovers and lack of scoring efficiency are concerns heading into Sunday Night Football.
If the Packers' offense puts points on the board, Dallas could be forced into a pass-heavy game plan, which would help Prescott accumulate passing yards even if the Cowboys struggle to control the game. The Packers have been one of the tougher defenses for opposing quarterbacks, allowing relatively few passing yards and fantasy points. Their ability to generate pressure could disrupt Prescott's timing and force him into difficult throws, particularly if Dallas struggles to establish its running game.
Javonte Williams, RB, Dallas Cowboys – DraftKings: $9,600 | FanDuel: $9,600
Despite Dallas’ disappointing Week 5 loss to Tampa Bay, Williams scored a rushing touchdown and finished with 45 rushing yards on 12 carries, adding two receptions for 17 yards. His limited production on the ground was frustrating, but his continued role as Dallas’ primary running back keeps him firmly in the conversation.
The Packers have been vulnerable to opposing running backs this season, and injuries to key defensive players could create opportunities for Williams to find running lanes. Dallas may also look to establish its ground game early to take pressure off Prescott and keep Love and the Green Bay offense off the field. Williams has demonstrated that he can handle a significant share of the Cowboys’ rushing workload, making him an appealing option in a game expected to feature plenty of scoring.
George Pickens, WR, Dallas Cowboys – DraftKings: $8,800 | FanDuel: $10,200
Pickens is coming off his best performance of the season, catching nine of 13 targets for 130 yards and a touchdown against Tampa Bay. That breakout showed what he can do when he receives consistent opportunities in Dallas’ passing game, particularly with Dak Prescott willing to attack downfield.
The biggest factor heading into Sunday night is the return of Lamb, who is expected to play after dealing with a quad injury. Lamb’s presence should help the Cowboys’ offense overall, but it could also reduce Pickens’ target volume after he served as Prescott’s primary receiving option in Week 5. Pickens remains a dangerous playmaker, though, and his ability to win contested catches and generate explosive gains gives him a strong chance to produce even as Dallas’ second receiving option.
NFL Sunday Night Football DFS Picks: Mid-Tier Plays
Tucker Kraft, TE, Green Bay Packers – DraftKings: $6,800 | FanDuel: $7,600
Kraft has recorded 20 receptions for 212 yards and one touchdown on 29 targets through five games, and his involvement in Green Bay's passing game has increased recently. Over his last two games, he has earned a 19.7% target share and received four red-zone targets, giving him a promising combination of receiving volume and touchdown potential.
The Cowboys have struggled to contain opposing passing attacks, allowing the third-most yards per pass attempt in the league entering Week 6. Their defense has also been vulnerable to tight ends, allowing Kraft to exploit the middle of the field while Love looks to build on his impressive performance against Chicago.
MarShawn Lloyd, RB, Green Bay Packers – DraftKings: $7,400 | FanDuel: $8,200
Lloyd is coming off his best fantasy performance of the season, recording 10 carries for 31 yards and two touchdowns while adding one reception for six yards against Chicago. Although the two touchdowns boosted his fantasy production significantly, his increased workload is an encouraging sign heading into Week 6.
The Cowboys have struggled to contain opposing running backs, allowing explosive runs and frequent scoring opportunities. Lloyd could benefit if Green Bay establishes an early lead and leans on its running game to control the clock.
Jake Ferguson, TE, Dallas Cowboys – DraftKings: $5,600 | FanDuel: $5,200
Ferguson has struggled to produce consistently, averaging just 20.4 receiving yards per game through his first five contests. He caught three passes for 19 yards on six targets in the Week 5 loss to Tampa Bay, continuing a stretch of disappointing performances. Although Ferguson has scored three touchdowns this season, his limited receiving production makes him increasingly dependent on finding the end zone to deliver meaningful fantasy value.
Another concern is Ferguson's role in the Dallas passing game, as he's clearly behind Lamb and Pickens. Ferguson did receive six targets against Tampa Bay, his season high, but he finished with only 19 yards. Recent drops and a costly turnover have also raised questions about whether his playing time could decrease if those mistakes continue.
NFL Sunday Night Football DFS Picks: Value Plays
Pierre Strong, RB, Green Bay Packers – DraftKings: $3,000 | FanDuel: $4,000
Strong made his season debut against Chicago in Week 5, finishing with five carries for seven yards and three receptions for 11 yards on four targets. He played approximately 41% of Green Bay’s offensive snaps, suggesting he could have a role in the offense, particularly on passing downs. However, his limited production makes him a risky option despite the increased playing time.
Lloyd remains Green Bay’s primary option in the backfield and scored two rushing touchdowns against Chicago, while Kaleb Johnson is also competing for opportunities. Strong appears to have a more specialized passing-down role rather than a workload that would make him a dependable option.
Ryan Flournoy, WR, Dallas Cowboys – DraftKings: $4,400 | FanDuel: $7,000
Flournoy is coming off an encouraging Week 5 performance, catching three of four targets for 90 yards against Tampa Bay. Through five games, he has 16 receptions for 194 yards on 27 targets, but he has yet to score a touchdown. His recent big-play production makes him an interesting value option.
Flournoy benefited from Lamb's limited participation in Week 5, but Lamb is expected to be available against Green Bay. With Lamb and Pickens competing for targets alongside Flournoy, his opportunities could be limited. However, if he manages to find the end zone for the first time this season, he could still pay off his modest salary.
Bo Melton, WR, Green Bay Packers – DraftKings: $2,800 | FanDuel: $3,200
Melton caught three of four targets for just 20 yards in Week 5 against Chicago. His playing time increased to roughly 49% of offensive snaps, which is encouraging, but his overall role remains limited. He has seen fewer than two targets in four of his first five games, so there's no dependable weekly workload to bank on.
The upside comes from the game environment. Green Bay and Dallas are projected for a high-scoring contest, creating the possibility of extra passing volume and an unexpected big play.
SNF DFS Picks: Kickers & D/ST
Trey Smack made just one of three field-goal attempts and two of three extra-point attempts in the 31–7 win over Chicago. Through five games, he has converted seven of 10 field goals, including two from 50-plus yards. His leg strength gives him upside, but he needs to improve his consistency.
Brandon Aubrey’s biggest advantage is his accuracy and long-range kicking ability, which can make him valuable even in games where Dallas struggles to finish drives in the end zone. The return of Lamb should help the Cowboys move the ball and get into scoring position more consistently. In the high-scoring game environment expected at Lambeau Field, his ability to convert long field goals gives him a solid ceiling, making him an attractive flex option.
Both Packers D/ST and Cowboys D/ST are nothing more than large-field contrarian options given the massive 53.5-point game total. Sacks, turnovers, and touchdowns will be the key to finding upside.
Cowboys vs. Packers DFS Player Pool: SNF, 10/18
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