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Underdog · 09-21-2008, 10:34 AM

Cowboys vs. Packers
Time Is Right For Breakthrough At Lambeau Field

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GAME SET
WHAT: Dallas Cowboys (2-0) at Green Bay Packers (2-0)
WHEN: Sunday, 7:15 p.m. (CDT)
WHERE: Lambeau Field, Green Bay, Wis.
TELEVISION: NBC (Al Michaels and John Madden)

BIG ISSUE: If the Cowboys ever want to win a game at historic Lambeau Field in Green Bay, this would be the year to do it. Yes, the Packers are looking very tough after a 2-0 start, but the Cowboys look equally impressive. Dallas is at a disadvantage after a short week of practice due to playing on Monday night in Week 2. If the team has managed to rest up (and they surely will have, since head coach Wade Phillips is very careful about not overworking his team), this game could turn into another offensive shootout like last week's duel against the Eagles.

Packers Green Bay quarterback Aaron Rodgers is doing his best to make Packers fans forget Brett Favre, since traded to the Jets. Rodgers has the team off to a 2-0 start and has looked seasoned in his first two starts of his career. But against the Cowboys, Rodgers will finally be tested. The two teams Green Bay has played so far pale in comparison to Dallas' balance on either side of the ball - Detroit is 0-2, and as is Minnesota, which already has benched its starting quarterback. If Rodgers can hang in there with the Cowboys, he might be seeing a lot more No. 12 jerseys in the stands at Lambeau than No. 4's for once.

NUMBERS, PLEASE: Cowboys wide receiver Terrell Owens has had some stellar games against the Packers recently, gaining more than 150 yards receiving in his last two and catching a touchdown in his last four, but his career numbers against Green Bay are a little more sobering. In nine games against the Packers, Owens has averaged five catches for 79 yards, and less than a touchdown per game.

A lot of hubbub has been made about how clean the jerseys of Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo and Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers have been in the first two games, with Romo not being sacked at all and Rodgers only once. But consider this salient fact: Tthe two teams Rodgers has faced so far both rank second to last in the league in sacks, Minnesota and Detroit having two each, so they're not really sacking anyone these days.

ONE-ON-ONE: Very quietly, Cowboys nose tackle Jay Ratliff may have had the most impact on defense last week against the Eagles. This week, he'll line up against Packers center Scott Wells, who should start after practicing fully all week since recovering from a back injury. Ratliff can be very disruptive in the middle, and with Packers starting running back Ryan Grant playing at less than full strength, Ratliff's ability to penetrate and make plays at the line of scrimmage could force Green Bay to become one-dimensional.

It's usually foolish to play man coverage on Cowboys receiver Terrell Owens, but if anyone can do it, it's the Green Bay Packers and cornerback Al Harris. Owens got the best of Harris last year with seven catches for 156 yards an a touchdown, but this time around the Green Bay secondary will have a little more help with Charles Woodson playing at least some, rather than sitting out like he did in 2007. The Packers will probably still shade a safety to Owens' side, but when he is left out on an island, expect him to have a tougher time getting open than in previous weeks.

SUPPORTING ROLE: With starting strong safety Roy Williams out for four weeks, third year safety Pat Watkins will start in his place. Watkins, at 6-5, is a better cover man than Williams, although not as effective in run support. Phillips and defensive coordinator Brian Stewart have had Watkins learn both safety positions, and he already comes in for Williams on the nickel defense anyway, so making the transition to playing first and second down shouldn't be too tall of an order. What Phillips is concerned with, though, is overworking Watkins, who, if playing a full load, would start at strong safety, stay in the game in sub-packages and start on every special teams unit, where he is a standout. The Cowboys don't want to lose Watkins' effectiveness on special teams, so second-year safety Courtney Brown, who was inactive last game, will get more looks on defense when the team goes into its sub-packages.

Packers starting running back Ryan Grant has been hobbled recently by a hamstring injury, and while he'll likely still play, backup Brandon Jackson will get a healthy diet of carries. While Grant managed nearly 100 yards rushing against a powerful Minnesota run defense in Week 1, the next week against the Lions, when he'd been bothered by his injury and missed practice leading up to the game, he only gained 20 yards on 15 carries. Jackson, however, rushed for 61 yards and a touchdown on only 7 carries. Jackson also has starting experience, starting the first three games of his rookie season in 2007.

HEADSET GAMES: The fullback position tends to go unnoticed, unless the fullback screws up, and with Cowboys starter Deon Anderson out for at least two weeks after a knee scope, Dallas will have to mask his absence in some creative ways. The Cowboys don't have another fullback on the roster, and signing a free agent or bring up practice squad back Julius Crosslin both seem highly unlikely. Instead, the Cowboys will lean on their tight ends. Starter Jason Witten and backup Tony Curtis have experience lining up in the H-back spot, and Curtis figures to get the most looks there since the team would still like to send Witten out as a receiver. Also, Phillips mentioned the possibility of lining up starting running back Marion Barber at the fullback position on some plays with another back, most likely Felix Jones, in at tailback. Barber is a ferocious blocker (just ask former Cowboy training camp-body Tyson Smith), and would do well in the role when Jones gets his carries.

The Cowboys will defend against the Packers in much the same fashion as they did against the Eagles last week. While Dallas doesn't have to worry about any players who can line up anywhere on the field like Brian Westbrook, they do have to contain a Green Bay receiving corps, led by starters Greg Jennings and Donald Driver, that is much more talented than Philly's. Also, as several players have pointed out during the week, Rodgers is a capable scrambler, so the team will have to be careful not to give him any running lanes.

HEALTH WATCH:

Cowboys
Three players are out for the Cowboys - starting fullback Deon Anderson (knee), starting strong safety Roy Williams (forearm) and backup linebacker Anthony Spencer (knee). Anderson and Williams are out following surgical procedures this week but Spencer, who played Monday night after missing the opener, finds himself sitting out again after issues with his recently-scoped knee flared up in practice this week. Third receiver Sam Hurd is listed as questionable after returning to participate in a limited portion of practice this week from a high ankle sprain. The Cowboys will return one player to their starting lineup, guard Kyle Kosier, who recovered quickly from a hairline fracture in his foot and is listed as probable and expected to start. Also listed as probable are starting cornerback Terence Newman (groin), starting tight end Jason Witten (shoulder), and wide receivers Miles Austin (knee) and Isaiah Stanback (shoulder) - all fully participating in practice this week.

Packers
The Packers know one starter will not play Sunday night, safety Atari Bigby (hamstring), who will be replaced by Aaron Rouse. A slew of backups are listed as questionable - running back Korey Hall (knee), tight end Tory Humphrey (knee), receiver Ruvell Martin (finger), and guard Josh Sitton (knee). Several Packers starters are listed as probable: Starting running back Ryan Grant (hamstring), who practiced fully on Friday; starting center Scott Wells (back); starting cornerback Charles Woodson, expected to play despite not practicing at all with a toe injury; key pass rusher and defensive end Kabeer Gbaja-Biamila (knee) is expected to play despite declining practice participation all week; and starting left tackle Chad Clifton, who is nursing a knee injury.

09-21-2008, 10:34 AM	#1
Underdog Moderator Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: 41.21.1 Posts: 36,143	OFFICIAL GDT - COWBOYS @ PACKERS!!! Cowboys vs. Packers Time Is Right For Breakthrough At Lambeau Field link GAME SET WHAT: Dallas Cowboys (2-0) at Green Bay Packers (2-0) WHEN: Sunday, 7:15 p.m. (CDT) WHERE: Lambeau Field, Green Bay, Wis. TELEVISION: NBC (Al Michaels and John Madden) BIG ISSUE: If the Cowboys ever want to win a game at historic Lambeau Field in Green Bay, this would be the year to do it. Yes, the Packers are looking very tough after a 2-0 start, but the Cowboys look equally impressive. Dallas is at a disadvantage after a short week of practice due to playing on Monday night in Week 2. If the team has managed to rest up (and they surely will have, since head coach Wade Phillips is very careful about not overworking his team), this game could turn into another offensive shootout like last week's duel against the Eagles. Packers Green Bay quarterback Aaron Rodgers is doing his best to make Packers fans forget Brett Favre, since traded to the Jets. Rodgers has the team off to a 2-0 start and has looked seasoned in his first two starts of his career. But against the Cowboys, Rodgers will finally be tested. The two teams Green Bay has played so far pale in comparison to Dallas' balance on either side of the ball - Detroit is 0-2, and as is Minnesota, which already has benched its starting quarterback. If Rodgers can hang in there with the Cowboys, he might be seeing a lot more No. 12 jerseys in the stands at Lambeau than No. 4's for once. NUMBERS, PLEASE: Cowboys wide receiver Terrell Owens has had some stellar games against the Packers recently, gaining more than 150 yards receiving in his last two and catching a touchdown in his last four, but his career numbers against Green Bay are a little more sobering. In nine games against the Packers, Owens has averaged five catches for 79 yards, and less than a touchdown per game. A lot of hubbub has been made about how clean the jerseys of Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo and Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers have been in the first two games, with Romo not being sacked at all and Rodgers only once. But consider this salient fact: Tthe two teams Rodgers has faced so far both rank second to last in the league in sacks, Minnesota and Detroit having two each, so they're not really sacking anyone these days. ONE-ON-ONE: Very quietly, Cowboys nose tackle Jay Ratliff may have had the most impact on defense last week against the Eagles. This week, he'll line up against Packers center Scott Wells, who should start after practicing fully all week since recovering from a back injury. Ratliff can be very disruptive in the middle, and with Packers starting running back Ryan Grant playing at less than full strength, Ratliff's ability to penetrate and make plays at the line of scrimmage could force Green Bay to become one-dimensional. It's usually foolish to play man coverage on Cowboys receiver Terrell Owens, but if anyone can do it, it's the Green Bay Packers and cornerback Al Harris. Owens got the best of Harris last year with seven catches for 156 yards an a touchdown, but this time around the Green Bay secondary will have a little more help with Charles Woodson playing at least some, rather than sitting out like he did in 2007. The Packers will probably still shade a safety to Owens' side, but when he is left out on an island, expect him to have a tougher time getting open than in previous weeks. SUPPORTING ROLE: With starting strong safety Roy Williams out for four weeks, third year safety Pat Watkins will start in his place. Watkins, at 6-5, is a better cover man than Williams, although not as effective in run support. Phillips and defensive coordinator Brian Stewart have had Watkins learn both safety positions, and he already comes in for Williams on the nickel defense anyway, so making the transition to playing first and second down shouldn't be too tall of an order. What Phillips is concerned with, though, is overworking Watkins, who, if playing a full load, would start at strong safety, stay in the game in sub-packages and start on every special teams unit, where he is a standout. The Cowboys don't want to lose Watkins' effectiveness on special teams, so second-year safety Courtney Brown, who was inactive last game, will get more looks on defense when the team goes into its sub-packages. Packers starting running back Ryan Grant has been hobbled recently by a hamstring injury, and while he'll likely still play, backup Brandon Jackson will get a healthy diet of carries. While Grant managed nearly 100 yards rushing against a powerful Minnesota run defense in Week 1, the next week against the Lions, when he'd been bothered by his injury and missed practice leading up to the game, he only gained 20 yards on 15 carries. Jackson, however, rushed for 61 yards and a touchdown on only 7 carries. Jackson also has starting experience, starting the first three games of his rookie season in 2007. HEADSET GAMES: The fullback position tends to go unnoticed, unless the fullback screws up, and with Cowboys starter Deon Anderson out for at least two weeks after a knee scope, Dallas will have to mask his absence in some creative ways. The Cowboys don't have another fullback on the roster, and signing a free agent or bring up practice squad back Julius Crosslin both seem highly unlikely. Instead, the Cowboys will lean on their tight ends. Starter Jason Witten and backup Tony Curtis have experience lining up in the H-back spot, and Curtis figures to get the most looks there since the team would still like to send Witten out as a receiver. Also, Phillips mentioned the possibility of lining up starting running back Marion Barber at the fullback position on some plays with another back, most likely Felix Jones, in at tailback. Barber is a ferocious blocker (just ask former Cowboy training camp-body Tyson Smith), and would do well in the role when Jones gets his carries. The Cowboys will defend against the Packers in much the same fashion as they did against the Eagles last week. While Dallas doesn't have to worry about any players who can line up anywhere on the field like Brian Westbrook, they do have to contain a Green Bay receiving corps, led by starters Greg Jennings and Donald Driver, that is much more talented than Philly's. Also, as several players have pointed out during the week, Rodgers is a capable scrambler, so the team will have to be careful not to give him any running lanes. HEALTH WATCH: Cowboys Three players are out for the Cowboys - starting fullback Deon Anderson (knee), starting strong safety Roy Williams (forearm) and backup linebacker Anthony Spencer (knee). Anderson and Williams are out following surgical procedures this week but Spencer, who played Monday night after missing the opener, finds himself sitting out again after issues with his recently-scoped knee flared up in practice this week. Third receiver Sam Hurd is listed as questionable after returning to participate in a limited portion of practice this week from a high ankle sprain. The Cowboys will return one player to their starting lineup, guard Kyle Kosier, who recovered quickly from a hairline fracture in his foot and is listed as probable and expected to start. Also listed as probable are starting cornerback Terence Newman (groin), starting tight end Jason Witten (shoulder), and wide receivers Miles Austin (knee) and Isaiah Stanback (shoulder) - all fully participating in practice this week. Packers The Packers know one starter will not play Sunday night, safety Atari Bigby (hamstring), who will be replaced by Aaron Rouse. A slew of backups are listed as questionable - running back Korey Hall (knee), tight end Tory Humphrey (knee), receiver Ruvell Martin (finger), and guard Josh Sitton (knee). Several Packers starters are listed as probable: Starting running back Ryan Grant (hamstring), who practiced fully on Friday; starting center Scott Wells (back); starting cornerback Charles Woodson, expected to play despite not practicing at all with a toe injury; key pass rusher and defensive end Kabeer Gbaja-Biamila (knee) is expected to play despite declining practice participation all week; and starting left tackle Chad Clifton, who is nursing a knee injury. __________________ These days being a fan is a competition to see who can be the most upset when your team loses. That proves you love winning more. That's how it works.