NFL: Dallas at Green Bay (8:15 PM ET, NBC)
Two of the best teams in the NFC go head-to-head in the Sunday night feature. A few weeks ago, folks weren’t looking at this game with the same luster
2008-09-19
Two of the best teams in the NFC go head-to-head in the Sunday night feature. A few weeks ago, folks weren’t looking at this game with the same luster, but strong performances by Packers’ QB Aaron Rodgers has people forgetting about Brett Favre and remembering that Green Bay was a 13-3 club in ‘07 that has picked up where it left off. They’ll host a Dallas club that has rarely visited Lambeau Field. In fact, of the 11 games these teams have played since ’92, two have been in Green Bay, both easy Packers’ wins. Ten of those L11 games have gone OVER the total. HC Mike McCarthy’s team is 11-2 SU & 9-3-1 ATS in its L13 home games. Interestingly, this will be the Cowboys’ second look at Rodgers, who filled in for Favre in last year’s 37-27 Cowboys win in Dallas.
If there’s one team Green Bay’s new starting quarterback has experience against, Dallas is it. Prior to a couple of weeks ago, the only extensive action Aaron Rodgers had in the NFL came in relief of Brett Favre last season on the road against the Cowboys, who invade Lambeau Field on Sunday night after hosting Philadelphia on Monday night.
Should the Cowboys be concerned about Rodgers, who went 18 of 26 for 201 yards and one touchdown for a 104.8 rating in Green Bay’s 37-27 defeat a week after Thanksgiving? Yes, especially considering the fourth-year “rookie” has looked sharp as a tack in leading the Packers to victories over Minnesota and Detroit to open defense of their NFC North crown. He opened the 48-25 win over Detroit with 205 yards and three touchdowns in less than a quarter and a half.
Dallas sacked Rodgers three times in last year’s meeting, and if a defense led by DeMarcus Ware can put pressure on the former first-round pick from Cal it might force a critical mistake or two. The Vikings failed to sack him in Week 1, with Rodgers completing 18 of 24 passes for 178 yards and a score and adding a game-sealing touchdown plunge, and the Lions nabbed him only once in last week’s 48-25 defeat to Green Bay.
The most impressive thing about Rodgers so far has been his poise, both in and out of the huddle. Few outside of the Packers front office expected him to display leadership skills in September, nonetheless the first two weeks of opening month. Despite getting no help from running back Ryan Grant, who with a sore hamstring had just 20 yards on 15 carries, Rodgers didn’t panic or force throws into coverage. Instead he helped the ground attack by scrambling for 25 yards, giving him 60 on the season, in addition to throwing for 328 yards and three scores.
Grant could sit against the Cowboys, who allowed only 91 yards and two first downs rushing in a Week 1 win at Cleveland. In that case Brandon Jackson, who had a 19-yard touchdown run to seal the win over the Lions, would get the starting nod and rookie Kregg Lumpkin would try to provide a spark off the bench.
If you’re thinking Dallas might suffer a letdown after facing division rival Philadelphia, consider the ‘Boys are 8-2 since 2003 in games following a matchup with the Eagles.
PREDICTION: Green Bay 27, Dallas 20
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