Thursday Night Football: Cowboys vs. Packers — NFL Expert Picks & Predictions (10/29)
Written by: Varun Sharma
Last Update: Thu Oct 29, 2026, 1:58 pm ET
Read Time: 5 minutes
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+3.5
-110
47
-110u
+170
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-3.5
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-195
2 Sneaky Props to sweat on TNF from @SweatpantJesus 😏🏈 https://t.co/AMn94GQnf0
— Betting News (@YourBettingNews) October 29, 2026
Thursday Night Football at Lambeau Field, there's not much else like it. The Green Bay Packers will host the Carolina Panthers this week, with both teams looking to bounce back from an ugly loss.
We've got two red hot offenses going head to head on primetime, let's jump right into this one.
For additional information on picks, props, moneylines, and more on today's slate, take a look at our NFL Picks Page or our NFL Odds Page.
Game Information
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Matchup Information
- Location: Lambeau Field; Green Bay, Wisconsin
- Date: Thursday, October 29th, 2026
- Kickoff: 8:15 PM EST
Quarterback Matchup
- Carolina Panthers: Bryce Young (2026: 3-3; 285.3 YPG | 12 TD | 4 INT)
- Green Bay Packers: Jordan Love (2026: 4-3; 279.7 YPG | 13 TD | 5 INT)
Betting Odds
Odds via Lucky Rebel, an industry leader in the sports betting world.
Analysis & Breakdown
Black Panther
The Carolina Panthers offense has been great this year. The unit ranks 6th in points (26.5), 2nd in passing yards, 6th in 1st downs and they've got the 11th best redzone efficiency. The team's converting 65% of their redzone drives into touchdowns, Bryce Young's averaging 285.3 pass yards per game and he's got 12 touchdown passes through 6 games and just 4 interceptions.
Both Tetairoa McMillian and Jalen Coker have been studs this year, they've got 2 touchdowns a piece and McMillan ranks 11th in total receiving yards this year. Darren Waller's also been a great addition. The big TE leads the Panthers with 3 receiving touchdowns, despite having just 14 receptions on the year.
The problem with Carolina is they just haven't been healthy. Both Jaycee Horn and Mike Jackson are on the IR, the team's missing 3 starting OL and that was a huge problem last week.
Young was sacked 5 times against Tampa Bay last week and one point, he was sacked on 3 straight plays. Things got ugly in Carolina and their defense hasn't been able to pick up the slack.
The Panthers are 27th in points allowed (27.7), 28th in opponent redzone efficiency, 25th in opponent 3rd down conversion rate and dead last in rushing yards allowed. They haven't been able to get off the field, stop the run or force turnovers and it's a big problem for Carolina.
Lambeau Leap
Outside of the awful job by the stripes last week, the Packers beat themselves. Two missed field goals from Trey Smack, multiple dropped passes from the team's receivers and a ton mental mistakes from the defense; that's what cost Green Bay the game.
Jordan Love threw for 274 yards, 2 touchdowns and had 1 interception. Josh Jacobs made his return to the field, carried the ball 11 times for 36 yards (3.3 YPC) and dropped what would have been, the game winning touchdown.
Matthew Golden had his worst game of the year, catching just 6 of his 12 targets for 39 yards and no scores. The Packers lead the league in drops this year and it's been an issue that's plagued the entire offense. Golden's top-1o in receiving yards this year, but 1st in total air yards. There's a ton being left on the table in Green Bay and that needs to stop.
Jordan Love's averaging 279.7 pass yards per game, he's got 13 touchdowns, 5 interceptions and he's been hit more than any other QB in the league this year. Love's 1st in completions of 20+ yards, 25+ yards, 40+ yards and 50+ yards.
Love is airing it out and now he plays a Panthers' defense that hasn't been able to generate a pass rush and has done a terrible job against the pass.
Thursday Night's Best Bets
Christian Watson o70.5 Receiving Yards (-114) | Lucky Rebel
The Panthers run zone at a top-5 rate in the NFL and that's something we've seen Christian Watson torch in his career. Against zone, just this year; Watson's avergaing 3.45 yards per route run, 5th highest in the league. He's 6th in fantasy points per route run against zone and he leads the Packers in targets per route run against zone.
Matthew Golden's dealing with a shoulder/foot injury and despite the fact he's suiting up, Watson's in the perfect spot.
Watson also loves playing on Thursday Night. In his last 5 Thursday night games, Watson's averaging 90.2 receiving yards per game, he's got 3 touchdowns and he's averaging 7.6 targets per game.
Since 2023, few have been better than Watson on Thursday nights. He's 4th in yards per route run, 9th in fantasy points per route run, 7th in total yards and he's tied for the 2nd most touchdowns; just 1 behind Ja'Marr Chase.
I love Watson tonight against this Panthers secondary, especially here at Lambeau.
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