As the Green Bay Packers prepare for a high-profile Week 4 matchup against the Dallas Cowboys, one of the key players tasked with disrupting the opposing offense is veteran defensive tackle Kenny Clark. Known for his strength and versatility in the trenches, Clark will be at the heart of Green Bay’s defensive game plan especially against a Cowboys team dealing with offensive line injuries and the loss of star wide receiver CeeDee Lamb.
Studying the Cowboys’ Line
Dallas enters the game with several questions up front. Tyron Smith, Zack Martin, and Tyler Biadasz have all been limited at different points due to injuries, leaving young linemen like Tyler Smith in critical roles. Clark said he’s been paying close attention to how Dallas handles pressure when the lineup isn’t at full strength.
“They’ve got a tough group, no matter who’s in there,” Clark explained. “But when you see guys moving around or filling in, you know that’s where you can test communication and technique. My job is to create disruption inside and make it uncomfortable for them.”
Clark added that consistency is the key. “I can’t try to do too much. If I stay disciplined with my hands, my get-off, and my leverage, everything else takes care of itself.”
The Importance of Stopping the Run
For Clark and the Packers’ defense, containing the Cowboys’ run game will be just as important as pressuring Dak Prescott. Dallas has leaned heavily on its ground attack to stay balanced, especially with Lamb sidelined.
“They’re a team that wants to establish the run early,” Clark said. “If we take that away, we can force them into longer downs and make them one-dimensional. That’s when our pass rush can really get going.”
Clark highlighted the physicality of Dallas’ young backs and praised their offensive scheme, which emphasizes pulling linemen and creating gaps. “They’re going to test us with movement and power,” he said. “We just have to win at the line of scrimmage.”
Facing Dak Prescott
While Clark’s primary role is to collapse the pocket from the interior, he understands that disrupting Prescott’s rhythm is a team effort. “Dak is a veteran who’s seen everything,” Clark noted. “He doesn’t get rattled easily. You can’t give him a clean pocket or he’ll pick you apart. That’s why we have to keep constant pressure.”
The Packers’ defensive front has been one of the most consistent units in the league this season, ranking near the top in sacks and quarterback hits. Clark believes that success comes from their chemistry. “We feed off each other. When Rashan [Gary] or Preston [Smith] gets going off the edge, it makes my job easier inside. And when I collapse the middle, it opens things up for them.”
Respect for Micah Parsons
While Clark won’t be lining up directly against Micah Parsons, he couldn’t help but admire the Cowboys’ defensive star. “That dude is special,” Clark said with a smile. “You can tell he sets the tone for their whole defense. For us, it’s about matching that energy and imposing our own will.”
Locked in for Sunday
For Clark, the focus remains simple: dominate the line of scrimmage. “Every game starts up front,” he said. “If we win in the trenches, we give our team a chance to win. That’s the mindset I take into every week, and it doesn’t change because it’s Dallas.”
With the Cowboys’ offensive line banged up and their offense adjusting without CeeDee Lamb, Clark and the Packers’ defense see a prime opportunity to tilt the matchup in their favor.
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