Preview: Cowboys at Green Bay Packers
by Brandon on Nov 5, 2010 9:01 AM CDT
in Green Bay Packers Analysis
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I've been reading about the Cowboys this week over at Blogging The Boys, and most of the posts are looking ahead to next season. That's not surprising since they're record stands at 1-6, and they'll be lead by 38 year old QB Jon Kitna for (almost) the rest of the season. Unfortunately it doesn't help me figure out how they're playing now, and how they'll play on Sunday against the Packers.
While their injury situation is not as severe as the Packers (the Cowboys only have 1 player on I.R. vs. the Packers 10), their offense would obviously be in better shape if QB Tony Romo were available. A couple recent articles by Mel Kiper and Ben Muth have detailed the problems on their offensive line, but it'll be in better shape if LG Kyle Kosier returns as expected. But no injury forced their receivers to tip three passes into the hands of defenders for interceptions last week.
They may also get CB Terence Newman back from his rib injury, and he would have been a huge help last week to have helped them corral Jaguars WR Mike Sims-Walker. His return might be a long-shot because they released their top pick of the 2009 draft (LB Jason Williams) to make a roster spot available for another cornerback.
Packers offense against Cowboys defense: The Cowboys defense is ranked a respectable 10th overall against the pass and 24th overall against the run, but those rankings are based on yards per game and they are not telling the entire story. Their pass defense is allowing a completion percentage of 65.8, with 15 TDs and an opponents QB rating against of 105.4. Teams are just not attempting a lot of passes against them for whatever reason. It's a similar story with their run defense, which has allowed 4.5 yards per carry. I've been worried about the Packers offense without WR Donald Driver and TE Jermichael Finley, but the Cowboys don't appear to be in any position to take advantage of it. Unfortunately the Packers will still need one member of the inconsistent duo (WR James Jones and WR Jordy Nelson) to show up and have a good game.
Packers defense against Cowboys offense: Is their offense any good under Kitna? On one hand, he's led them on two touchdown drives in each of the last 4th quarters, but on the other hand these happened after the Cowboys entered the 4th quarter trailing by 18 points and 25 points, respectively. And throwing for almost 400 yards against the Jaguars is hardly impressive since they've got one of the worst defenses in the NFL. The Packers run defense has been victimized at times, but it's on a roll after they shut down the powerful Jets rushing attack last week and the Cowboys rarely run the ball anyway.
Special teams: The Packers special teams are still one of the worst, but P Tim Masthay had his best game as a pro last week. The Cowboys have had their own problems, but not with rookie WR Dez Bryant as a returner (2 return TDs on the season).
The state of the Packers offense has me worried, even against a struggling defense. But the Packers still have not been held to under 20 points in any home game this season. Will the Cowboys offense be able to fix all that's gone wrong over the past couple weeks and score some points (other than what they've scored in garbage time)? I'll expect the Packers defense to keep up the intensity, and thereby keep the score down. Packers 20, Cowboys 7.
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This is the kind of game we are supposed to win and I think we do. I thought we would before the season started and I still do now. I know everyone wants to be on the “its a trap” thing this year so they can say “i told you so” if we lose but honestly, the D is playing at a very high level right now and the offense should be able to move the ball. Don’t mistake fans confidence for a TEAM being overconfident. I highly doubt a team that is struggling as much offensively as the Packers have been is going into a game feeling overconfident.
Personally, I don’t say “trap” because I want to say I told you so. I say it (if I say it) because I’m keeping my emotional guard up so that I don’t get disappointed it if they lose. I like things to make sense.
For this one, I think we’ll be fine, but I’m still a little wary because, as we all know, a wild Jerry Jones is most dangerous when he’s cornered.
by Curly Lambeau on Nov 5, 2010 12:32 PM CDT up reply actions
Packers 31 Cowboys 13
In addition to their offensive woes, the Packers have been through too many tight games this year (on both the winning and losing end) to have any reason to be overconfident. I think their offense gets a boost this week when both James Jones and Jordy Nelson put together solid games on the same day. Go Pack!
Packers 8, Cowboys 0
That’s right – back to back shutouts and all the points will be scored via the Safety thanks to four controversial (well, “controversial” at least to the three remaining Cowboy fans who are still paying attention) holding penalties called on the Cowboys due to the combined effect of Punter Tim Masthay consistently burying them at their end and the relentless pass rush of Clay Matthews.
Take it to the bank!
Not that it really means anything,
but the steam is moving to Dallas in Vegas. Dallas opened 8 1/2 to 9 point dogs and now it’s down to 7 – 7 1/2. I was thinking about taking Dallas and the points, but not so much now. On top of all the problems on the field, the locker room is starting to split. This team is a trainwreck.
Lock n Load
Yeah, the line moves down because bettors are betting on the Cowboys and taking the points.
Lock n Load
And 9 is a *lot* of points in the NFL
If I still bet football, I’d have been tempted to jump on that. Has the line stabilized at 7 yet? I imagine that’s where the betting public needs to see it to split the action.
"Who ever heard of the Cubs losing a game they had to have?" -Frank Chance
"If [Ruth] had [called his shot], I would have knocked him down with the next pitch." -Charlie Root
Packers 24, Cowboys 17
Crosby misses a 55 yard FG that would’ve given a 20-17 lead with 4 minutes left in the game, but a Kitna pick 6 seals the deal inside the two minute warning.
Play smart...
By the time Sunday night rolls on, I predict there won’t be an NFL team without a W. So this is a golden chance to extend the lead in this division heading into the bye.
Defense has been great so far. They just need to go after Kitna hard – an immobile QB who can become very dangerous if given time. Dallas running game is worse than ours, but they have some very good receivers.
Offense has to exploit the fact that Cowboys D is in a funk right now. No momentum killing, deep incompletions to Jennings. 7-8 yards a catch is fine. Flank Jones and Nelson and use GJ in the slot. And keep the pedal to the metal in the fourth quarter. The worst we can do is letting a team like Dallas back in the game late.
And, most importantly – keep the ball away from Dez Bryant on kickoffs and punts.
by Rodgers_for_MVP on Nov 5, 2010 11:47 AM CDT reply actions
Stack Success..
They need to stay focused, play their game, and not worry about what the Cowboy record is etc. I am cautiously optimistic..
Green and Gold 27
Cowpies 17
Sometimes nothin is a real cool hand.
UPSET SPECIAL!
This game will be an upset.
Many Cowboy fans, players, coaches and a certain owner will be upset that the Packers blow-out the Cowboys, 31-7.
Oh they are on all over…sports book guys who say they have the winner of the monday night game. They always have some line like UPSET SPECIAL tonight!!
Ah. I see.
In the small town area I’m from, we don’t get sports radio, etc. Just typical yucky local stuff.
Trap game, my ass
Good teams beat bad ones.
Pack 27, Dallas 9
"Your wife swallows pineapples for donkey rides." - Orbit gum commercial
27-13
I can’t see the cowboys putting too many TD’s on the boad! Packers should be better on Offense than lately. Would be nice to get a 10 pt lead in the 1st or 2nd and take any steam out of the cowboys sails!
CM gets 1.5 sacks, Zombo 1 and Raji .5…
2 Int’s by Kitna. 1 in the 1st half that sets up an early score and 1 in the fourth that puts the game away.
Pack needs to come out strong and take the fire out of the boys early!
You've been Stroh'd!!!
That should read...
Packers 27
Cowboys 13
Stroh’d 35
by Bush League All Star on Nov 5, 2010 2:37 PM CDT up reply actions
LOL
“Last Halloween, the Cowboys dressed their starting quarterback in a Jon Kitna costume, much to the horror of their fans.”
That was brilliant, just wanted to give you props for that.
I want the offense to play smart and not take any unnecessary chances this week. No need to try and blow them out. A win is a win. No fake field goals. No 60-yard bombs to nobody. No back-shoulder stuff… Wait- you know what? It’s the Cowboys! Let’s kick them while they are down and just KEEP kicking them. Pull out all the stops and see if we can break some records on ’em. THAT would get us fired up going into the bye week.
by Shamalamadingdong on Nov 5, 2010 3:07 PM CDT reply actions
A little worried
Don’t get me wrong, our D played excellent last week… I just don’t see it being consistent. Obviously this game SHOULD go our way but I wouldn’t be surprised by an upset. I say our offense steps up this game and the defense has a couple blown plays leading to TD’s. Hopefully we get some defensive reinforcements back. We also need to keep creating turnovers!
In a game way closer then it should be… GB 24 Dallas 20.
The Green Bay Packers could use a running game and Finley back. So tragic, the injuries this season. Incredible, to have so many vital players injured. Very upsetting. Dallas isn’t in the same boat. Yes they lost Romo, but they lost way before he went down… Thank goodness we have a QB that can play through pain!
"Practice does not make perfect. Only perfect practice makes perfect."
Vince Lombardi
by CaliSeth on Nov 5, 2010 9:38 PM CDT via mobile reply actions 1 recs
Pretty hard to play through a broken clavicle.
But I’m not complaining that he’s out.
"Your wife swallows pineapples for donkey rides." - Orbit gum commercial
Rec'd
Thank goodness we have a QB that can play through pain!
Rec’d, for the indictment against Romo.
TT bashers - turning my stomach since 2005!
The glass is way more than half-full!
What's the Vegas over/under
on Packer injuries?
by I voted for Kodos on Nov 6, 2010 1:20 AM CDT reply actions
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