'It's a now-or-next-year-moment for the Packers.' How national writers, oddsmakers are picking the Packers-Cowboys game

What a difference a year makes.

After last season Dallas Cowboys coach Mike McCarthy, the former leader of the Pack, was on the hot seat following an early exit in the playoffs last year.

How hot was it?

Hotter than a streaker in the Sahara Desert.

Well, he's turned it around in Dallas and the Cowboys are legitimate Super Bowl contenders in 2022 after a 6-2 start.

Matt LaFleur and the Green Bay Packers were riding high last year. But they've fallen harder than Humpty Dumpty since then.

Thus the stage is set for McCarthy and his merrymen to visit the Frozen Tundra. McCarthy still has a street named after him in Green Bay. LaFleur is currently in the running to have a dead end named after him.

McCarthy's crew is a 5-point favorite, according to Tipico Sportsbook.

The NFL Week 10 game is scheduled to kick off at 3:25 p.m. Sunday and will be televised by Fox.

Here's what the oddsmakers and writers say about the game:

ESPN

The site's Football Power Index says the Packers have a 39.6% chance of winning. That's probably 39.6% more than most people think.

Caesars Sportsbook

Dallas weighs in as a 5-point favorite.

More:Mike McCarthy hopes to receive 'a very positive reception' in return to Lambeau Field

More:Aaron Rodgers has won big for the Packers over the years but cost them a game Sunday

FanSided

The Cowboys are 5-point favorites.

Iain MacMillan wrote: "The Packers are officially broken. They're 15th in yards per play despite their games against subpar defenses, including gaining only 5.6 yards per play and scoring nine points against the league's worst defense, the Detroit Lions. Now, they have to face one of the best defenses in the league. I see no reason to bet on the Packers until they prove to me that they're anymore than a shell of their former selves."

Draft Kings

It lists the Packers as 5-point underdogs.

Here's what it wrote: "The Packers have been in a terrible funk over the last five weeks and now could be without Aaron Jones and Romeo Doubs due to injuries. The Cowboys are getting healthier off the bye and have been excellent on both sides of the ball. Take Dallas against the number here."

BetMGM

The Packers are 5.5-point underdogs.

WynnBet

Dallas is a 5-point favorite.

Pro Football Network

The Cowboys are 4.5-point favorites.

BJ Rudell wrote: "Is the 30-year Packers era over? Brett Favre took over the starting QB job in 1992. He was then forced to hand it over to Aaron Rodgers. During this span, Green Bay has finished below .500 only four times and has never missed the playoffs more than two years in a row.

"I warned fantasy managers and bettors this summer that Rodgers was deeply overvalued. He’s never played without a clear-cut No. 1 WR — a guy he can trust on third-and-long, or even third-and-short.

"Despite its impressive young WR corps (that can’t stay healthy), this team looks headed toward a five- or six-win season. Maybe they’ll rebound. Maybe Rodgers still has what it takes to elevate his offense.

"For now, despite the tough road conditions, the Cowboys are the clear favorites to keep pace with the Eagles (and Giants) in the NFC East."

FanDuel Sportsbook

The Cowboys are favored by 5.

The Sporting News

The Packers are 5-point underdogs.

Bill Bender wrote: "It's a now-or-next-year-moment for the Packers, who simply have not found the rhythm in a five-game losing streak. Offensive line issues won't help against a Micah Parsons-led pass rush, and Dallas coach Mike McCarthy will stick with the running game in the reunion matchup with Aaron Rodgers. The Packers quarterback has a track record of success against Dallas, but the problem for Green Bay is Rogers' play is only part of the problem right now. The Cowboys will expose that. Cowboys 27, Packers 21."

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This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Odds, predictions for Green Bay Packers vs. Dallas Cowboys in Week 10