Packers QB Jordan Love could go deep sea fishing in Dallas on 'SNF'

If the Green Bay Packers can block the Dallas Cowboys, quarterback Jordan Love and the deep passing game could produce fireworks at AT&T Stadium on “Sunday Night Football.”

All eyes will be on Micah Parsons and his return to Dallas, but the Parsons-less Cowboys defense should be in the spotlight. Dallas is giving up 9.8 yards per attempt (worst in NFL) and 13.2 yards per completion (second worst) this season. A big reason has been an inability to protect against the deep passing game. Through three games, the Cowboys have allowed 11 completions on 16 passing attempts thrown over 20 yards in the air, and those 11 completions gained 444 yards and resulted in five touchdown passes.

In just the last two games, Russell Wilson and Caleb Williams threw touchdown passes of 29 yards, 32 yards, 48 yards, 35 yards and 65 yards against the Cowboys. All five were over the top of coverage down the field.

Struggles rushing the quarterback have allowed teams to go deep sea fishing on Dallas this season, and Love — who has five completions on throws over 20 yards and the fifth-highest average depth of target among quarterbacks this season — is more than willing to go deep when protected.

The Packers must protect up front. Love has been under pressure on roughly 40 percent of his dropbacks this season, and the deep passing game all but disappeared last week with Love under constant pressure. It’s tough for deep developing plays to happen when the quarterback is under pressure or uncomfortable in the pocket. Last week, it was next to impossible.

This is the week for the deep passing game to come back, and come back big. The Cowboys have seven different players who have allowed a passing play of at least 20 yards in coverage, including both starting cornerbacks, Trevon Diggs and Kalir Elam. And the pass-rush is among the NFL’s worst, with only four sacks and 12 quarterback hits through three games.

The Browns suffocated the Packers last week and forced the offense to play quick and horizontal. The blocking should be an easier task this week in Dallas, and the opportunities down the field will be better, so the vertical-based Packers passing game is set up for a big rebound in Week 4.

This article originally appeared on Packers Wire: Packers QB Jordan Love could go deep sea fishing in Dallas on ‘SNF’