GAME SET
WHAT: Dallas Cowboys (6-2) at Green Bay Packers (4-4)
WHEN: Sunday, 3:15 p.m. (CT)
WHERE: Lambeau Field, Green Bay, Wisconsin
TELEVISION: FOX (Joe Buck, Troy Aikman and Pam Oliver)
BIG ISSUE: No matter how much the Cowboys claim otherwise, this week's game in Green Bay is no where near as big as last week's contest against the Eagles. But that doesn't mean the Packers will catch them celebrating and hand them a loss. Despite the Packers' 4-4 record, the Cowboys know how dangerous Green Bay can be. Although they've had recent success at Lambeau Field, the Dallas has only won there once, and playing in Green Bay can be one of the toughest road games for any team. The Cowboys are taking Green Bay very seriously this week for that very reason.
All is not lost for the Packers, despite their 4-4 record. While winning the NFC North is pretty much out of the picture after losing both their games against the Vikings, the Packers are still in the race for a wild-card spot. They are only one game behind the two wild-card leaders, Atlanta and Philadelphia, who are both 5-3. With three consecutive games against NFC opponents (Dallas, San Francisco, and Detroit on Thanksgiving), the Packers could make a run and find themselves sitting pretty by December. The toughest game of that stretch is this week against the Cowboys, and the Packers will throw the kitchen sink at them.
NUMBERS, PLEASE: The most important numbers for the Cowboys this week are not football statistics, but weather ones. The forecast for kickoff at Lambeau on Sunday is a favorable one for them - 46 degrees, mostly sunny with only a 10 percent chance of rain. Winning in Green Bay is usually a challenge because of the weather, but this week the Cowboys won't have to brave freezing temperatures and snow. Remember, they had good weather when they beat the Packers on the road last September, too.
While it's common knowledge that Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers is the most sacked quarterback in the league (37), and is threatening the single-season record, what DeMarcus Ware would be pleased to know is that 22 of Rodgers' 37 sacks have been allowed by the left side of the Packers' line. If the Packers gave up five sacks to the likes of the Bengals' Antawn Odom, how will they stop Ware?
ONE-ON-ONE: After beating the Eagles, the Cowboys now have some experience stopping a potent passing game, and if Cowboys cornerback Mike Jenkins continues to play at his current level, it could be a frustrating day for Packers receivers Donald Driver and Greg Jennings. Driver and Jennings are far more experienced, though, than the Eagles' duo of Jeremy Maclin and DeSean Jackson, who have two full NFL seasons between them at this point, so they'll present more of a challenge for the Cowboys' second year corner. But, if the Cowboys get enough pressure up front and Jenkins continues to play with confidence and aggressiveness, he might nab his fourth interception of the season.
It's no secret that the Cowboys would not have won last week without the explosive contribution from fourth-year receiver Miles Austin. And since it's no secret, Green Bay corners Al Harris and Charles Woodson are well aware, too. They know that against a pair of seasoned Eagles corners and facing double teams, Austin was held without a catch until his touchdown burst in the fourth corner. Woodson and Harris will aim to give Austin similar treatment in hopes that they're more savvy - and won't bite on the double move - than Philly's Sheldon Brown and Asante Samuel.
SUPPORTING ROLE: Apparently it's not called the 'Wildcat' in Dallas, and it's not called the 'Razorback' either. According to Tashard Choice, it's called 'TC,' because it means he's in the game at quarterback. After the Cowboys finally had success with the formation last week, scoring a touchdown on a Choice direct snap run up the middle, Dallas could feature it more against the Packers, who allow just a few yards less than 100 rushing yards per game. It all hinges on if the Razorback, or whatever you want to call it, works early. When the Cowboys have run it and screwed up, offensive coordinator Jason Garrett has shelved it for the remainder of games. If the Cowboys run it correctly early, it could play a big role on Sunday.
With both starting outside linebacker Aaron Kampman (concussion) and backup Brady Poppinga (quadriceps) both out for Sunday's game, second-year linebacker Jeremy Thompson will be thrust into a starting role. Thompson, out of Wake Forest, doesn't not have an impressive NFL career so far - only three games started with eight total tackles and no sacks in one-and-a-half seasons. Thompson hasn't recorded a tackle yet in 2009, and has only managed to be active for four games. But as the Cowboys have seen with Miles Austin, young players can come up big when given the chance. Against a veteran pair of tackles in Flozell Adams and Marc Colombo, the Packers will need Thompson to do just that.
HEADSET GAMES: The Cowboys are eventually going to find themselves in trouble if they can't figure out how to run the ball consistently. The Packers aren't easy to run on, but they aren't easy to pass on either. Running the ball will keep their explosive offense off the field for as long as possible and ensure that the Cowboys control the clock. Plus, it will show that they have confidence in Marion Barber and Felix Jones, who haven't quite seemed themselves after coming back from injury. Phillips has said Jones will gradually take a larger role on offense, now six weeks removed from his sprained knee.
The Cowboys don't have to send a lot of pass rushers against the Packers to get to Rodgers. That means they can afford to send only four or five to get pressure, dropping a linebacker or two into coverage. If the Cowboys can get to Rodgers this way, they'll also be able to take away any underneath routes when Rodgers is looking to get rid of the ball quickly. It will also allow them to play the deep pass at the same time, which has been the bread-and-butter for the Packers, who are tied with the Cowboys and Eagles for the league lead with ten pass plays of 40 or more yards. If the Cowboys can do all that correctly, they'll force Rodgers to hold onto the ball too long and the sacks will start to accumulate.
HEALTH WATCH:
Cowboys
The Cowboys have had a blessedly healthy season (that sound you just heard was all Cowboys fans knocking on wood at the same time). The only man out is return man Allen Rossum (hamstring), who has ironically yet to return after one snap of football nearly a month ago. Everyone else - starting running back Marion Barber (thumb), starting center Andre Gurode (ankle), starting safeties Ken Hamlin (groin) and Gerald Sensabaugh (thumb) and starting linebacker DeMarcus Ware (foot) - is listed as probable.
Packers
The Packers know not to expect the services of four players on Sunday. Starting outside linebacker Aaron Kampman (concussion), starting right tackle Mark Tauscher (knee), backup linebacker Brady Poppinga (quadriceps) and backup tight end Jermichael Finley (knee) are all listed as out. Backup inside linebacker Brandon Chillar (hand) also might not see the field after being listed as questionable. Starting quarterback Aaron Rodgers (feet), starting corner Charles Woodson (hip), starting defensive end Cullen Jenkins (ankle), backup safety Derrick Martin (concussion), backup tackle Allen Barbre (concussion), backup running back Korey Hall (calf), and backup wide receivers Jordy Nelson (knee) and Jake Allen (quadriceps) are listed as probable.
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